Hi Mary Lee, we do not have a Children’s Waiver in Virginia. Children are assessed with the same tool as adults and we experience some of the same challenges. We are in the
process of significant waiver redesign but it does not include a separate children’s waiver. However there is work being done on how to better assess children. This is just in the beginning stages. However, in Virginia, you cannot be placed on a waiver waiting
list unless you have been determined eligible for the waiver. You can’t just put your name on a list. Heidi
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 [xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com] on behalf of Underwood, MaryLee (BHDID/Frankfort) [xxxxxx@ky.gov]
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 10:41 AM
To: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com
Subject: DD Councils Medicaid Waivers for Children
How does your state assess children for waiver programs?
·
Can you share information about any age-appropriate assessment tools?
·
Does anyone know how many states have child-specific waivers?
Here’s the situation we are trying to address:
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KY has several waivers that available to children and adults
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None has a child-specific assessment tool, which has resulted in unfair application of the standard tool
o
Some who apply the tool deny all children, because ‘no child can do those things independently’
o
Some who apply the tool approve all children, because that specific child cannot do those things independently
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The Waiver most commonly used to support people with DD living in the community now has a tremendous waiting list. Approximately 70% of those on the waiting list are children. None of these have been assessed to determine whether they are actually
eligible.
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Advocates have long suggested that having a more age-appropriate tool for children could help. In response, the state has been ‘looking into other options’ for YEARS.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Best wishes,
MaryLee
MaryLee Underwood, JD, BSW
Executive Director
Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities
32 Fountain Place, Frankfort, KY 40601
Email:
xxxxxx@ky.gov
Phone: 502-564-7841 or 1-877-367-5332;
Fax: 502-564-9826
CCDD’s mission is to create systemic change in KY that empowers individuals to achieve full citizenship and inclusion in
the community through education, capacity building and advocacy.
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