Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration Creating a flexible, person-centered, family-oriented system of supports so people can have full lives.

DDA Transformation Update The DDA Transformation Newsletter | July 16, 2018 8

Community Pathways Waiver The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is pleased to announce that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Community Pathways Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver renewal application on June 27, 2018. The renewal application reflects informal and formal feedback from various stakeholders over the past several years.  The renewal application includes: Innovative service options aimed at providing supports that build on the DDA’s Community of Practice related to Employment and Supporting Families; Participant and family self-direction opportunities; New opportunities for participants to work toward self-determination, independent living, productivity, integration and inclusion in all facets of community life across their lifespans; and Updates to service descriptions, requirements, and provider qualifications. The DDA will be sharing additional information and guidance related to the renewal including the implementation of new or transitioning services.

Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) The LTSS System for DDA has been designed and developed to help improve and streamline existing processes. Coordinators of Community Services (CCS) are in the process of training and will begin using LTSS to document most of their daily activities with the first release of LTSS, scheduled for August 1, 2018. In each transformation update, the DDA is spotlighting a feature of the LTSS program. This update features the Client Summary page. The Client Summary page of LTSS will inform CCSs of a person’s Current Assignments, Eligibility Information, and Current Enrollment information. Updated on a nightly basis, current Medicaid eligibility information will be displayed on the Client Summary page.

Benefits to the Person and Coordinator of Community Services (CCS): Medicaid and Waiver eligibility information is readily available to the person’s case manager in LTSS. CCSs will have the ability to see when a person is receiving services from other programs, enabling better coordination of services. The CCS will receive alerts and reports regarding a person’s Medicaid eligibility status and will work with a person to maintain eligibility and complete annual financial redeterminations (if applicable).

The CCS will see the assigned Eligibility Determination Division (EDD) staff member who is working on the person’s waiver application and their contact information. If the person receiving services is enrolled in the Community First Choice program, their Support Planner will also be shown. Other regional office staff and case managers in different programs involved with the person will also be shown in the Current Assignments section.

Under the Eligibility Information tab, the person’s Medicaid eligibility including current Medicaid Number, Medicaid Eligibility Spans, Special Program Codes (waiver eligibility), Level of Care information and information pertaining to Money Follows the Person (MFP) Eligibility (if applicable) is available.

Finally, the Current Enrollment section will display information on all waivers and programs in which the person is currently enrolled.

Through this page, CCSs will be able to track and receive alerts on the Annual Level of Care Due Date and Financial Redetermination Due Date. The CCS can use this information to help people maintain critical Medicaid eligibility and better coordinate care across programs to ensure that people are given the support needed to live their personally-defined good life.

Waiver Services

Applications from Jan. 2 – July 12, 2018 The DDA is excited to report that as of July 13, 2018 there are 883 approved for one of our new Medicaid Waivers. Providers interested in supporting people in the new waivers must be compliant with the Community Setting Rule. Interested providers can find more information on the DDA Provider page of the website .

Employment

Maryland's Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and the DDA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Updated

Leadership from DORS and the DDA met on June 21 to officially sign an updated MOU between the agencies.  The MOU outlines joint definitions, agency responsibilities and ongoing collaboration efforts to increase employment outcomes for people with disabilities.  In August, both agencies will be scheduling a joint webinar to outline and highlight items that might be of interest to both DORS and DDA service providers. The webinar will also be used to outline ongoing training and collaboration efforts between the two agencies, including the scheduling of regional stakeholder town halls.  Above: Sue Page, Assistant Superintendent, DORS and Bernard Simons, Deputy Secretary, DDA

Direct Support Professionals Week

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are vital to the life experiences of many people with disabilities and developmental disabilities in Maryland. From employment support to community living assistance, DSPs are many times the key difference between community participation and isolation for people with disabilities.   The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) join others throughout the United States in marking September 9 - 15, 2018 as DSP Recognition Week. Representatives from MDOD and DDA will travel throughout the state thanking DSPs for their dedication and expertise. Join us in our celebration by nominating an outstanding DSP or employer for recognition. If chosen, your nominee could receive a visit from MDOD and DDA staff with a Governor’s Citation as we travel throughout Maryland. One nominee in each category will be selected for a photo opportunity in Annapolis!   Nominate a DSP or employer who provides an example of service which supports and encourages full community participation for those with disabilities in Maryland.  Nominations are being accepted for the following categories:   Employment Support Professional A DSP who goes above and beyond to support integrated community employment for those with disabilities. Community Living Professional A DSP who goes above and beyond to support full community participation and membership for those with disabilities. Maryland business or employer A business or organization which employs someone or multiple individuals with disabilities in an inclusive environment and utilizes the unique skills of the employee(s) to benefit Maryland’s economic and business climate. Please click HERE for the form. Submissions are due August 10 to Kim McKay at kimberly.mckay1@maryland.gov or 217 East Redwood Street, Suite 1300, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Supporting Families

The Maryland Community of Practice (MD – CoP) for Supporting Families & Charting the LifeCourse Framework (CtLC) Statewide Leadership Team is meeting July 24, 2018 from 10 a.m. – noon at the MD Center for Developmental Disabilities. It will review the work and outcomes of the MD CoP Annual Meeting and move forward to develop and strengthen the MD Local CoP. In addition, the leadership team will welcome The Coordinating Center as its newest member. The Coordinating Center has served Maryland for more than 35 years. It currently provides care coordination for more than 10,000 people with disabilities and complex medical needs through its programs. The Coordinating Center provides care coordination to people supported by the following programs: Rare and Expensive Case Management (REM) Model and Autism Waivers Home and Community-Based Services, including Community First Choice (CFC) and Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS) programs Housing Initiative Program (HIP) Wellness & Independence for Seniors The Coordinating Center plays an integral role throughout Maryland in supporting people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan to thrive in their communities and will be a critical member of the MD CoP Statewide Leadership Team . To learn more about The Coordinating Center, visit www.coordinatingcenter.org . Local CoP Meetings: July 18, 6:30 – 8 p.m. the Montgomery County Local CoP is meeting at Easterseals DC MD VA Headquarters, 1420 Spring St, Silver Spring, MD 20910. For more information, please contact Cindy Kauffman at ckauffman@seeconline.org. July 24, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Baltimore City and County Local CoP is meeting The Arc Baltimore, 7215 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212. For more information, please contact Tonia Ferguson at tonia1913@hotmail.com . To learn more about the Maryland CoP and or establishing a Local CoP in your community please view contact information by clicking HERE .

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