Thanks so much Tracy

 

 

 

Heidi,

Our Council worked for 10 years to get a self-directed services option included under our DD Waiver.  It started out slowly and has gained speed once folks saw how much flexibility they could have under the “My Voice My Choice” option: http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Medical/DevelopmentalDisabilities/SelfDirection/tabid/212/Default.aspx .  We had a lot of meetings with stakeholders while in development and invited providers to be part of the task force that developed the option.  Providers were very apprehensive and they even discouraged people from applying for the option because it would be too much work and unsafe – neither of which was true for those who chose to do it.  The key I think was including all stakeholders in the work and then doing informational meetings around the state about how it would work.  You can never get everyone on board, but providing the opportunity to be informed is very important. We were very fortunate to have a forward-thinking Medicaid administrator during that time, but alas, not all of the regional office staff were on board – so we had to do work there too.

We also helped design the training for self-advocates choosing the option and provided train-the-trainer sessions with Medicaid staff and self-advocated who were intended to provide training as a team.  Unfortunately over the years the training has been dwindled down to an hour or two of training provided by Dept. of Health and Welfare staff.  We also have a family-directed program for children’s services: http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Medical/DevelopmentalDisabilities/FamilyDirectedServices/tabid/213/Default.aspx .  Individuals and families must be willing to take on the extra responsibility for hiring and supervising their own staff, but people have been very happy with the options.

I have attached our timeline of activities and a one of the informational pieces we created during that time.  I can find a lot more of the promotional information given a little time.  Let me know if you would like me to send more.

I hope this is helpful,

Tracy

 

 

 

Good morning, we are undergoing significant waiver redesign as part of our DOJ settlement agreement. One of the desires among advocates (including us) is to infuse more consumer direction into services. Right now there we have consumer directed personal care, respite, and companion.  Stakeholders are asking for additional CD services (I know some folks call them self directed), in Virginia it is CD, such as transportation, employment, and in home residential.  There is some push back because many of these services now require licensed providers so providers are not necessarily supportive nor is our DD agency due to liability, training and other issues.  Polling to see if any of your states have self/consumer directed services in these areas, have they worked, what have been the pitfalls. THANKS!

 

Heidi Lawyer

Executive Director

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)

1100 Bank Street, 7th Floor, Richmond, VA  23219

804-786-0016

800-846-4464

www.VaBoard.org