DDD COMMUNICATION | October 4, 2024
DDD JOINS GOVERNOR IN CELEBRATING OCTOBER AS DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT MONTH
As National Disability Employment Awareness Month is recognized and celebrated across the United Staes annually, in October, Governor J.B. Pritzker has issued a proclamation related to Illinois commitment to celebrate individuals with disabilities who are working or seeking work and to encourage individuals and businesses to build and sustain a diverse workforce that includes individuals of all abilities through inclusive hiring practices and a supportive culture. The proclamation reads:
WHEREAS, 2024 marks the 51st anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - watershed legislation that established a foundation of equity and equality by prohibiting discrimination and promoting equal access to education, public services, and employment; and,
WHEREAS, 2024 also marks the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act - legislation that affirmed the civil rights of people with disabilities, raising awareness about accessibility issues, encouraging businesses and institutions to create environments that accommodate diverse needs, and prohibiting discrimination in various aspects of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and public accommodations; and,
WHEREAS, the Illinois Task Force on Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities remains dedicated to the evaluation and improvement of state programs and policies related to innovations that can eliminate barriers to competitive integrated employment and economic opportunities for individuals with disabilities; and,
WHEREAS, Illinois' multi and varied state agencies are committed to hiring people with disabilities and upholding, reinforcing, and enhancing the value that individuals with disabilities add to inclusive communities and the workforce; and,
WHEREAS, Illinois recognizes and supports employment policies and practices, aligned with tenets of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Employment First, including the proposition that competitive and integrated employment shall be considered the preferred outcome of publicly funded services for persons with disabilities of working age; and,
WHEREAS, National Disability Employment Month is being celebrated for the 79th year, offering everyone an opportunity to acknowledge and honor the achievements and contributions of workers with disabilities, while recognizing that the fight for equity and access has not been won; and,
WHEREAS, all citizens must strive for inclusion and accessibility as the hallmarks of advancement toward a more sustainable workforce, a stronger economy, and a culture that embraces the talents and contributions of all citizens;
THEREFORE, I, JB Pritzker, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim October 2024, as Disability Employment Awareness Month in the state of Illinois in support of efforts to celebrate individuals with disabilities who are working or seeking work across Illinois and to encourage individuals and businesses to build and sustain a diverse workforce that includes individuals of all abilities through inclusive hiring practices and a supportive culture.
Done at the Capitol in the City of Springfield, this THIRTIETH day of SEPTEMBER, in the Year of Our Lord, two thousand and TWENTY-FOUR, and of the State of Illinois, two hundred and FIFTH.
As required by the DDD DRS Memorandum of Understanding, and as part of the continued effort to ensure visibility to and awareness of employment support options, DDD recently updated it's posting of DDD Supported Employment Program (SEP) providers. This list includes all organizations that currently provide DDD SEP as well as their status as providers under DRS' most common employment support contracts. The DDD SEP Provider posting, and accompanying DRS detail, can be found here: DDD Supported Employment Program Providers.
DDD and DRS provided a joint virtual training on 9/10/24, targeted at personnel from Independent Service Coordination agencies, provider agencies, DRS and DDD as well as individuals receiving or interested in employment services, family members and other stakeholders. This most recent collaborative training, similar to others offered in the past, provided comprehensive information related to program options within each Division. A recording of the training can be accessed on the DDD Employment Page.
As a reminder, individuals with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities in Illinois who are interested in individualized competitive integrated employment should be encouraged and supported to engage with the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Online referral for DRS VR services. Individuals who are recipients of the Adults with Developmental Disabilities HCBS Medicaid waiver, and those who are residents of Illinois Sate Operated Developmental Centers, are eligible for long term services and supports following a successful closure from DRS VR.
CILA RATE SHEETS/GUIDEHOUSE RATE CHANGE OFFICE HOURS
Thank you to all who participated in the Rate sheet office hour sessions. These were offered in an attempt to explain the many changes to 24-hour CILA rates resulting from Guidehouse rate methodology updates, as well as ICAP & HCL updates as of 07/01/24. We have heard positive feedback and feel as though a number of questions were answered and uncertainties were clarified. Both presentations are available here:
September 10th Office Hours
October 1st Office Hours
We would also like to share a Rate Sheet Tutorial that DDD presented in 2022.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please continue to reach out to Mike Vespa Michael.Vespa@illinois.gov.
DRAFT INFORMATION BULLETIN POSTED TO DDD WEBSITE
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has posted a new DRAFT Information Bulletin. Please see below link to the Bulletin. DDD will receive comments through October 8, 2024. Feedback should be sent to Ashley.Kjos@illinois.gov.
IDHS: DRAFT - PUNS Adult Selection and Letter Use
Here is the link to the webpage for all DDD DRAFT Information Bulletins.
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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