Heidi,
With our self-direction option individuals are able to hire "community support workers" to provide a variety of support services in the community: personal care support, employment support, communication, activities of daily living, etc. If a person needs a professional service from a licensed person, ie: nursing services, speech/language pathology and such, they access that service under their regular Medicaid card. The professional services are listed in their overall Individual Support Plan - it just doesn't come out of their self-direction budget.
Tracy
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2015 6:23 AM
To: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com
Subject: DD Councils RE: Consumer directed services in waiver
So apparently one of the hold ups here on CD services is that some agency folks believe that habilitative services cannot be CD because they are licensed services (in home residential, supported employment, etc.) and that CD providers would have to become licensed which would be extremely challenging. Has that specific issue come up with respect to self direction beyond the typical respite, companion and personal care which are not licensed? Thanks to everyone for being so helpful
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
From: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com [mailto:xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com]
On Behalf Of Swedeen, Beth - BPDD
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2015 5:29 PM
To: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com
Subject: DD Councils RE: Consumer directed services in waiver
Hi Heidi,
Yes, WI has a self-directed waiver in which individuals have full budget authority and can hire their own workers for all services, which include the ones you list below. Currently, they do not have to choose from agencies, but can hire individuals as well. Particularly in rural and under-served areas, the ability to hire and train your own supports has been a very effective way to meet needs where typical agencies may not be available or close by.
Beth
From:
xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com [mailto:xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com]
On Behalf Of Lawyer, Heidi (VBPD)
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2015 6:34 AM
To: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com
Subject: DD Councils Consumer directed services in waiver
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