May 6, 2014 Dear Parents/Guardians, Since 2009, The Office of Child and Family services (OCFS) of the Department of Health and Human Services has been working with Community Stakeholders to create the Section 32 Waiver Services for Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Currently children with these diagnoses may be receiving Section 28,Rehabilitative and Community Support Services for Children with Cognitive Impairments and Functional Limitations; possibly, also receiving Section 65, Children’s Home and Community Based Treatment if the youth has additional mental health diagnoses, and/or Section 97 Private Non‐medical Institutional Services (Residential). A Waiver is one way to add additional support services within a state that are not already covered in a state’s Medicaidplan. Additional Services in the Section 32 Children’s Waiver are: Home Support Services Direct support to a youth including personal assistance, self‐care and self‐management, activities to support personal development and/or personal well‐being Respite Services Short‐term services to provide relief to a care giver Home Accessibility Adaptations Physical alterations to a youth/family’s home necessary to ensure health, welfare and safety Consultation Services Services that advise the youth’s treatment and are provided by a licensed professional Communication Aids Devices or services necessary to assist a member with hearing, speech or vision Section 28 and Section 65 can still be provided to the youth if they have this service The Section 32 Children’s Waiver is written to include services in a youth’s home or in a small community residence. OCFS met with a small group of parents in both 2012 and 2013 and parents have stated they would prefer the service be provided in the family’s home. Parents requested that Section 32 Waiver Providers be trained in ABA—Applied Behavioral Analysis. In addition, parents stated that they, too, be given the opportunity to learn ABA methods. Once the Section 32 Children’s Waiver is open, forty children between the ages of 5 and 17 can be received into Section 32 the first year, 20 new youth can be added in the second year and 20 more in year three. Once a youth has this service they will be re‐evaluated annually and if they continue to meet this level of care they can receive this service until their 21st birthday. Section 32 Children’s Waiver has not yet been utilized for a few reasons: 1. We do not have any providers that have agreed to provide this service in a family’s home due to concerns about having consistent staff, the ability to be as flexible as the family needs, the possible need for restraint, and the cost. 2. We want to clearly know what families need and want for their child and their family before we launch into aservice that is not going to adequately meet those needs. 3. We want to serve a population of youth who may be able to maintain in their homes if they had this service. With this service, they would have a decrease in hospital admissions; not have a need for residential services, the youth, parent and siblings would be safe and have less stress. 4. Is this waiver as it is written what is needed? Or do we need something different? 5. Do we need to narrow the population given that there will be youth who cannot be served in their home given their severe needs; they are safe and more secure in an institutional setting. Parents, we need your help. Our hope is that you will tell us what is needed for you to keep your son or daughter in your home. 1. Please describe what supports/services you would need to care for your son or daughter to be able to safely keep them at home? 2. What supports/ services are you currently receiving for your son or daughter? Is this service adequate? If not, what is lacking? 3. What would it take for you to feel safe, secure in your own home with your children and be able to maintainthis level of safety? You can answer these questions by 1. E‐mailing [email protected] and [email protected] or 2. Writing your thoughts and mailing to Therese Cahill‐Low, Office Director, OCFS, 2 Anthony Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330 or 3. Writing your thoughts and giving them to your parent representative of one of our family organizations We need and would welcome your presence in person or by phone on the second and fourth Fridays of the month from 11am to 1pm at 2 Anthony Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330 or by calling in at 1‐877‐455‐0244 Code: 2723426568
Posted on: Wed, 07 May 2014 14:11:01 +0000
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