March 29, 2024

Request for Proposal Beyond the Essentials of Life Skills

Cuyahoga DD is seeking written, sealed proposals for Beyond the Essentials of Life Skills an immersive training experience, from interested vendors and organizations. Click here to view the required details.

Senate Passes Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

ANCHOR Capital Correspondence states:

In a significant success for the disability service community, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act (S. 1332) on Wednesday. This legislation represents crucial progress toward establishing a standard occupational classification (SOC) for direct support professionals (DSPs).

The bill urges the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to create a unique SOC code specifically for DSPs. This classification is vital for strengthening and professionalizing the DSP workforce, enabling comprehensive and accurate data collection. By providing policymakers with better insights into the direct support workforce, the SOC for DSPs will facilitate more effective policy responses to address critical issues in the field.

Click here for the full correspondence. To call on your representative to recognize direct support professionals visit ANCHOR's website.

Reminder for Waiver Billing

For any waiver billing questions, please contact DoDD at 800-617-6733, option 3 for any help with provider claims and billing.

Cuyahoga DDs Provider Support Department cannot assist with creating or submitting billing in the eMBS system. DoDD will guide the provider through the eMBS system, which contains step-by-step guides for billing.

If a provider has questions regarding entering or understanding claims for local dollar authorizations, contact Christine Shaarda at Shaarda.Christine@cuyahogabdd.org

and/or Amy Preuss at Preuss.Amy@cuyahogabdd.org for assistance.

Protection from SNAP Theft and Fraud

State officials are urging Ohioans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to be “extra cautious” amid a rise in benefits theft and fraud. Visit the JFS website to learn more.

How to protect yourself from SNAP benefits theft

Use the ConnectEBT app to manage your benefits.
The app allows users to lock the card from being used, then unlock it only when they’re ready to make a purchase.
Create a unique PIN that is hard to guess.
You should change that pin monthly, before each scheduled deposit.
Never share your card number or PIN.
ODJFS will never ask for these numbers.
Before you swipe your card, check the reader for evidence of tampering.
When entering your PIN, cover the keypad with your body or hand to hide it from others.

Total Solar Eclipse on April 8

On Monday, April 8, Cuyahoga County will be in the path of a total solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves in between the sun and Earth. The moon will cover the sun and will cause darkness during the day.

Eclipse Schedule

Eclipse starts: 1:59 PM
Totality begins: 3:13 PM
Maximum totality: 3:15 PM
Totality ends: 3:17 PM
Eclipse ends: 4:28 PM

Safe Eclipse Viewing

It is never safe to look directly at the solar eclipse without appropriate eye protection. It is safe to view the eclipse with proper eclipse glasses. Homemade filters and sunglasses are not safe for viewing. Seeing the eclipse without proper glasses can cause injuries to your eyes.

Eclipse glasses can be purchased online or obtained through local organizations. Contact your local library and organizations to learn if they have free glasses. The eclipse can be safely seen inside on TV or live streaming, as well.

Planning Ahead

On the day of the eclipse, traffic and crowds will increase. If possible, we encourage people to view the eclipse from open spaces closer to home. If you do decide to view the eclipse at a community event, be sure to plan ahead. Click here to find an eclipse viewing event.

Resources

We Need to Hear From You

Are you providing community-based employment services or providing services to explore community-based employment? Please click here to complete this short survey.

Revalidation Quick Reference Guide

If you received an e-mail or letter stating you're due for revalidation, please review this quick reference guide and follow as indicated.

According to DODD, providers do have to complete the revalidation process every five years as DODD-only providers are classified as “non-credentialed provider.” What this does is renew the Medicaid number. Providers will receive multiple e-mail notifications beginning 120 days prior to their expiration date. Agency providers will pay a fee, and independent providers will not pay a fee. The revalidation process was on hold due to the Public Health Emergency, and now it has been reactivated again.

Similar to DODD, the ability to revalidate on PNM is only available within 120 days of the expiration date.

FAQ Guide

Please note, this information is based on a DODD-only provider, not including providers certified through ODM and ODA.

If you have issues with the revalidation process, contact Ohio Medicaid’s Integrated Helpdesk (IHD) at 800-686-1516 and follow the prompts for Provider Enrollment or e-mail IHD@medicaid.ohio.gov. Representatives are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Independent Provider Reminder

Check your certification for Residential Respite 15 Minute. Before you provide this service, ensure the service is listed under your certification. We have been made aware of situations where providers did not have the service automatically added.

OH|ID Log In

Independent Provider Virtual Meet and Greet

Independent Providers don't miss your chance to meet people and families looking for services.

Our next Virtual Independent Provider Meet and Greet will be on Wednesday, April 3, from 10 AM - 12 PM and 5 - 7 PM via Zoom. Register to reserve your space by clicking the button below.

During the meeting, IPs will be asked to introduce themselves and talk about their experience in the field and availability to provide services to new individuals - including days, times and side of town. Click here to review our Zoom etiquette.

Agency Developmental Disability Workforce Survey

Please complete the Agency Developmental Disability Workforce survey below This data collection is designed to measure the impact of the historic rate increases included in the current state budget in real time on a quarterly basis.

The information collected will be reported to the entities that funded the increase—the Ohio General Assembly and county boards of DD—and is designed to provide unique insight into the impact on DD services, provider capacity, and DSP recruitment/retention efforts.

Survey

2024 Training for All Providers

Cuyahoga DD will offer a variety of training to providers throughout the year.

As a reminder, to attend, the provider must be actively serving an individual or designated to work with an individual served by Cuyahoga DD and be in good standing with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.

Monthly trainings from varying Cuyahoga DD departments
Bi-monthly supervisor trainings provided by The Academy
Full 2024 Provider Development Trainings
Upcoming training for all Cuyahoga providers, click on the topic to register

Date

Topic

Time

Location

4/4

ADS/VocHab and

Community Integration

10 - 11 am

Virtual

4/9

Supervisor Bootcamp

4 - 8 pm

Garfield Hts

Library

4/10

Supervisor Bootcamp

10 am - 2 pm

Garfield Hts

Library

Cuyahoga DD will no longer be administrating initial onboarding for DSPs. For onboarding training resources visit:

First Aid/CPR: Red Cross or American Heart Association
Medication Certification: Dodd Med Cert Training Search >Search DD Personnel Training Sessions > See available Med Cert trainings per county and certification level
Dodd Training: DoDD login > Login> My Learning (Dodd login account required)
Providers may contract directly with The Academy for additional training needs
Jen Dalessandro at 513-237-2449 or info@academyforpd.com.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Ohio

988 Suicide & Crisis Lineline 24/7 Call, text, chat

Did you know there is a Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for anyone who is experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis?

The 988 Lifeline is a 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Text or call 988, or visit 988Lifeline.org/Chat to chat with a trained specialist. Click here to learn more.

Updated Rules in Effect

To review the updated Rules in Effect starting in January 2024 by clicking here.

Reminder to All Providers

Reminder to all providers to submit their billing promptly after providing services. Providers who hold billing may encounter conflicts when attempting to bill long after the service was delivered.

Important Reminders

Are you checking the PST?

People served by Cuyahoga DD are often seeking providers. Be sure to check the PST every day! Provider Support often hears from providers who are looking for people to serve and the provider search tool.

Link to PST

Provider Network Manager and your DoDD certification

Please remember to start your renewal certification at least 90 days prior to expiration to support the renewal process and avoid conflict.

Guidance on Rule Changes

Staffing Efforts

Cuyahoga DD has posted lists on our website of Independent Providers who are willing to work with an agency, as well as a list of agencies in need of staff. These lists are in the process of being updated. If you would like to be added to either list, please complete the appropriate survey below. Additionally, if you'd like to be removed from these lists for any reason, please email PDS.

*Please note that this list has been revised. Providers who have completed these surveys in the past are welcome to do so again at this time.

Independent Provider Survey

Agency Provider Survey