Round Up
August 2018

In this Round Up:

  • DODD Rules Update
  • Electronic Visit Verification
  • Compensation and Benefits Survey
  • DC Downsizing
  • Back to Basics
  • Workforce Wisdom
  • OPRA Members in the News
  • Call for 2018 Fall Conference and Award Award Nominations
  • Upcoming Events
Has your agency recently been featured locally for their hard work? We want to hear about it and include it in the next Round Up!
DODD Rules Update
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has posted notice about their intent to hold a public hearing on August 9th regarding several Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) waiver. Current versions of the rule (see below) will be rescinded and replaced with new versions of the rule. To read the rules please click on the rule number. If you have any questions about the changes or would like to provide feedback to be included in OPRA's comments, please email them to OPRA Policy Analyst Christine Touvelle by August 3rd, 2018.
Rule 5123:2-9-40 Home and community-based services waivers - administration of the self-empowered life funding waive r is being replaced by a new rule under the same name- 5123-9-40 Home and community-based services waivers - administration of the self-empowered life funding waiver.

Rule 5123:2-9-41 Home and community-based services waivers - clinical/ therapeutic intervention under the self-empowered life funding waiver is being replaced by a new rule under the same name- 5123-9-41 Home and community-based services waivers - clinical/ therapeutic intervention under the self-empowered life funding waiver.

Rule 5123:2-9-43 Home and community-based services waivers - functional behavioral assessment under the self-empowered life funding waiver is being replaced by a new rule under the same name- 5123-9-43 Home and community-based services waivers - functional behavioral assessment under the self-empowered life funding waiver . 

Rule 5123:2-9-45 Home and community-based services waivers - participant-directed goods and services under the self-empowered life funding waiver is being replaced by a new rule under the same name- 5123-9-45 Home and community-based services waivers - participant-directed goods and services under the self-empowered life funding waiver.

Rule 5123:2-9-46 Home and community-based services waivers - participant/ family stability assistance under the self-empowered life funding waiver is being replaced by a new rule under the same name- 5123-9-46 Home and community-based services waivers - participant/ family stability assistance under the self-empowered life funding waiver.

Rule 5123:2-9-47 Home and community-based services waivers - support brokerage under the self-empowered life funding waiver is being replaced by a new rule under the same name- 5123-9-47 Home and community-based services waivers - support brokerage under the self-empowered life funding waiver.


Electronic Visit Verification
OPRA is closely watching the evolution of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) on both a federal and state level. In addition to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) Informational Bulletin and Frequently Asked Questions, CMS released guidance on how states could submit Good Faith Exemption Requests if a state predicts they will not be in compliance with the law by January 1, 2019. CMS is now accepting applications from states seeking such an exemption.

In response to the guidance released by CMS and the fast approaching implementation date, OPRA and our national partners at the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) worked together to get legislation introduced in the US House of Representatives and US Senate. The legislation would dekaypush back the EVV implementation date for personal care service back to January 1, 2020. On June 19, 2018, H.R. 6042 was voted out of the House and then was discussed in the US Senate. On July 17, 2018 the Senate passed H.R. 6402 and the bill awaits President Trump's signature. Once signed, the official implementation date will be moved to January 1, 2020.

Monitor the development of EVV on OPRA's EVV web page.
2018 Compensation and Benefit Surveys are Now Available!
Thank you to our over 50 members who provided information for the 2018 Compensation and Benefits Survey. Participating agencies have been sent (1) free copy of the report. If you’re unsure if your agency participated in the survey, please contact OPRA Office Assistant Rhonda Jacob at before placing your order!
OPRA's 2018 Compensation and Benefits Survey was featured in a recent article in The Columbus Dispatch. Read the article here.
Developmental Center Downsizing Incentives Continue
In 2015, DODD began offering incentives for individuals and providers who assist with the efforts to move people from Developmental Centers into more integrated services within the community. These incentives will continue for FY'19. Read more here.
Back to Basics Training
Thank you to everyone who attended a July training session of Back to Basics! We hope you and your staff found the session and material helpful. Certificates of Participation for July sessions were emailed to attendees earlier this week. If you have not received yours, please email OPRA Policy Analyst Christine Touvelle.

We would also like to extend a special 'Thank You' to Kurt Miller from OPRA member Empowering People who spoke at all 5 trainings!

Registration for August and September sessions are still being accepted and can be submitted here . For more information on the series please contact OPRA Director of Government Relations Jeff Davis.

Photo Credits: Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities
This month's tip: Make your employee application user-friendly.

Does your online application make it easy for potential employees to apply? Do you require potential employees to print off the application and fax it or email it to your office? In today's virtual environment, most people no longer have printers or fax machines at home which can make it harder for potential employees to submit an application. Consider making your application a form potential employees can fill out directly on the computer or their phone and submit electronically.

Two low-cost options for creating electronic applications include fillable PDFs potential employees can download and fill out and Google Forms.

Your agency website may also have the capability to create electronic forms hosted directly on your website. Contact your web developer for more information on this option.
OPRA & OPRA Members in the News!
In early July EaRNed Success, an OPRA, Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Lucas County Family and Children First Council initiative, was featured in the Toledo Blade. Earned Success is the first of its kind  Employee Resource Network (ERN)  designed specifically for employees at service agencies supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is funded and supported through a Healthier Buckeye Grant, the Lucas County Family and Children First Council, the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and participating providers, including OPRA members Bittersweet Farms, Josina Lott Residential & Community Services, Community Residential Services, Champaign Residential Services Inc., and Triad Residential Services.

DSPOhio , OPRA's initiative to recruit new Direct Support Professionals (DSP) was recently featured in a Columbus Dispatch article that was distributed nationally by Disability Scoop. Since the article was distributed, OPRA received inquires from interested parties in other states who are interested in learning more about the website and how to potentially replicate the program in other states.

OPRA member RHDD, Inc. recently had Allie Embree, one of their DSPs, featured in an article of The Morgan County Herald. The article discussed a recent award the Morgan County Board of DD presented to Ms. Embree. The Certificate of Appreciation was presented at the annual MCBDD Spring Ball to a DSP who exemplifies ethical practice, high standards and creative vision. Congratulations Allie!

Other News


Have a story you want to share? Email the story with a little bit of background information to OPRA Policy Analyst Christine Touvelle !

Call for Award Nominations for OPRA's 2018 Fall Conference and Awards Ceremony
The award nomination forms for the Annual Awards Ceremony are now live! Award categories include Behind-The-Scenes Staff, Community Member of the Year, Community Partner of the Year, Direct Support Professional, Front Line Supervisor, Maureen Corcoran Award, TEAM, and Volunteer of the Year.

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, September 7th.


Upcoming OPRA Events






10/24-10/26: OPRA Fall Conference and Awards Ceremony (see image to the right for an overview of the schedule of activities)
For a full calendar of events, please visit the OPRA website.