DDD Communication
September 6, 2023
QUICK NOTES
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is extending the deadline for providers to submit Wage Attestation Forms, required under Public Act 102-0944, by one week to next Friday, September 15, 2023. Thank you to those providers who have completed the forms. Links to both forms are as follows:
DDD posted a new Draft Information Bulletin for public comment this week:
STATEWIDE DSP TRAINING UPDATE
Statewide Direct Support Professional (DSP) training will not be implemented effective October 1, 2023. Instead, DDD will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the statewide DSP training in the coming months. As such, DDD recommends that provider organizations currently utilizing a DDD-approved DSP Training (College of Direct Support, Relias Learning, SIU-Carbondale, Infinitec) or utilizing their own DDD-approved DSP Training, should continue to do so until further notice. DDD will provide more information, including notification on the RFP, as soon as possible.??
ROCS DUPLICATE PAYMENTS
DDD is aware provider organizations may have received duplicate payments during the period August 10, 2023, to August 21, 2023. Providers that received a duplicate payment during this time period should have received a communication from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Fiscal Office. Providers that received a paper warrant/check can return the warrant to either the IDHS Fiscal Office or the DDD Bureau of Reimbursement and Program Support. Those providers that received a direct deposit can mail a check payment to the IDHS either to the IDHS Fiscal Office or the DDD Bureau of Reimbursement and Program Support. If your organization has questions or did not receive a letter from the Fiscal Office, please reach out to DDD at DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov.
FY2023 CHILDREN'S PUNS SELECTION UPDATE
In Fiscal Year 2023 (July 2022), DDD sent out PUNS selection letters for youth and young adults to receive services and supports through the Children and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities - Support Waiver (CSW). These letters stated the selection would remain valid until the end of FY23.?As an update, DDD has made the decision to extend this date indefinitely.?This means all selection letters sent in July 2022 will remain valid moving forward such that families will be able to access services through the Support Waiver when they are ready. This includes if the individual has aged out of the CSW in which case the individual would be able to enter into and receive services through the Adults with Developmental Disabilities Waiver. ?
RULE 116 TOOL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) WEBINAR
Due to the high level of interest in our most recent Rule 116 (59 Illinois Administrative Code 116) Tool TA webinar, DDD will be offering the TA webinar again. DDD is limiting capacity to 100 people to ensure everyone will be able to ask questions. As a reminder, there are no changes to the current tool. The purpose of the webinar is to review expectations and answer questions on current guidance. The webinar is intended for RN Trainers.
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 (9:00am-11:00am)
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 (1:00pm-3:00pm)
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 (9:00am-11:00am)
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Please see below for a list of legislation passed during the Illinois General Assembly's Spring Legislative Session that impacts DDD and the intellectual and developmental disabilities system.
Public Act 103-0076
Sen. Fine/Rep. LaPointe
Adds material obstruction of an investigation to the list of offenses that must be reported to the Health Care Worker Registry and empowers the IDHS Inspector General to investigate reports of material obstruction. IDHS and its providers shall not hire, employ, or retain someone with a substantiated finding of physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, egregious neglect, or material obstruction of an investigation.
Public 103-0092
Sen. Murphy/Rep. Moeller
Mandates the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) develop a training program for community college students to learn the skills necessary to become a direct support professional for IDHS-funded provider organizations. ICCB must consult with stakeholders to develop this curriculum. This program shall be made available to community colleges beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year and continue for at least two academic years.
Public Act 103-0303 (DDD Initiative)
Sen. Johnson/Rep. Collins
Adds financial management services entities contracted with DDD to the legal definition of a "health care employer." This would compel IDPH to process appeals and waivers for prospective employees who have failed background checks and previously would have no right to appeal. We anticipate this will increase the number of available Personal Support Workers for in-home services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the Home-Based Support Services Program within the Children's Support and Adults with Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Waivers. This is an initiative of IDHS.
Public Act 103-0428
Sen. Glowiak Hilton/Rep. Costa Howard
Clarifies that waiverable criminal offenses for health care and long-term care facility job applicants apply to the equivalent offenses in other states or federally as well. The Illinois State Police (ISP) are also required to forward the applicant's fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a background check. An earlier version of this bill further expanded the types of waiverable offenses, but that language was taken out, addressing the concerns of DMH, DRS, and Labor.
Public Act 103-0493 (DDD Initiative)
Sen. Fine/Rep. LaPointe
IDHS shall create 8 Long-Term Stabilization Homes across the state to provide interim placement for up to two years for individuals receiving community-based services at risk of facility-based care due to behavioral challenges and in need of longer-term stabilization services as well as those transitioning out of State Operated facilities and into the community. The Department shall also create up 10 Short-Term Stabilization Homes (SSHs) across the state to provide interim placement for up to 90 days (or longer if necessary) for individuals receiving community-based services at risk of facility-based care due to behavioral challenges. Beginning March 31, 2025, IDHS shall submit quarterly reports to the General Assembly on the number of people staying in these homes, length of stay, and where they are transitioned after leaving these homes. IDHS is granted rulemaking authority to implement this statute. This is an initiative of IDHS.
Public Act 103-0504
Sen. Pacione-Zayas/Rep. Syed
Requires IDHS and ISBE to develop training for designated school employees on the steps and documentation needed to register for the PUNS database, how to contact the appropriate Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agency for registration, and programs that are available to help families navigate the PUNS registration process. During the annual Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the designated employee shall share this information with the family if the student is not registered on the PUNS database or their registration status is unclear.
HR 66
Rep. Hoffman
Directs the Auditor General to conduct a performance audit of the oversight of the ISC program by DDD, including but not limited to the period of FY21-FY23.
The information contained herein should not be considered a substitute for the appropriate official statutes, rules, regulations, or the advice of legal counsel.
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