December 12, 2022
Minutes
Minutes
Attendees via Zoom: Amanda Parker, Betsy Hopkins, Bev Bell, Bonnie Robinson, Brenda Smith, Carol Snyder, Chris Call, David Bell, David Cowing, Debbie Dionne, Diane Boas, J Richardson Collins, Jamie Whitehouse, Janet Dibiase, JC Edelberg, Julianne Zaharis, Kim Humphrey, Lane Simsarian, Laurie Coldwell, Lisa Wesel, Liz Hansen, Lorraine DeFreitas, LyAnn Grogan, Maggie Hoffman, Margaret Cardoza, Mark Kemmerle, Michaela York, Michelle Munsey, Monique Stairs, Nancy Peavy, Rachel Dyer, Sammy-Ellie MacKinnon, Shane Ashe, Shelley Zielinski, Staci Converse, Stacy Giberson, Stacy Lamontagne, Sue Wall, Teresa Barrows, Vickey Merrill, Cullen Ryan, and a few people who didn’t identify themselves and/or left prior to the conclusion of the meeting.
Cullen Ryan introduced himself and welcomed the group. Minutes from the last meeting were accepted. For the sake of time, Cullen read the names of participants.
Featured Speakers: Rachel Dyer, Associate Director, Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC). www.maineddc.org Topic: Focus group regarding the development of a toolkit about protecting rights and promoting choices.
Cullen: Today I’m pleased to welcome Rachel Dyer, Associate Director of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC), who will provide updates from the DDC and various initiatives they have underway, including a survey on a toolkit about protecting rights and promoting choices. She will also briefly touch on the new history website: Out of the Shadows – the Legacy of Pineland. Thank you for being here!
Rachel Dyer: Thank you for having me and our consultant, Michelle! For today’s presentation I chose a few things that we’ve been working on that I thought would be of particular interest to the Coalition.
Begin presentation (Click here for the presentation):
Rachel: We work in five-year state plan cycles due to our federal funding. When COVID began we were in our first year of our five-year plan. I wanted to highlight the Protect Rights, Promote Choices Toolkit. There was a lot of work around the probate code changes and educating people on guardianship and self-direction. Many parent members of the DDC mentioned that they didn’t know what the best choice would be for their family, and many who had guardianship said they wanted to be sure they were promoting choices and protecting the rights of their loved ones. We ended up talking with Partnerships for Health (PFH) around this and looked at it as an opportunity to learn what people do and don’t know, what they want to know, where they think there could be challenges, etc. Michelle from PFP will discuss the survey and the toolkit.
Michelle Munsey: PFH is a public health evaluation company based in Augusta. We work with the Maine CDC and other agencies to look at their projects and programs to evaluate them. We also do work with organizations that want to learn more or embark on something to help them get there and help them make data-driven decisions. I’m joined today by Dave and Bev Bell from Bell Evaluation and Education Consulting in Massachusetts who have an interest in this process and what’s going on in Maine and are assisting. We want to learn more about what’s being done in Maine, what’s working, what’s not working as well, where the challenges are, and make recommendations moving forward to create the toolkit. There’s a brief electronic survey which asks about various decision-making topics which will inform this process. The survey will be open at least through the end of December. We’d love to hear as many Maine voices as possible, starting with this group. (Click here for the link to the survey.)
Rachel: We want to hear from as many different voices as possible, including public guardians. We’re hoping to get it done by the end of December, but if we’re not ready by then that’s fine as well. We are on a timeline but it’s slightly flexible.
-It was asked if there’s a connection to other surveys being distributed.
Rachel: People have brought up the number of surveys they’ve been asked to take recently. Our research and our members were the starting point for the thought that resources around guardianship and self-direction and how to know how well it’s going would be helpful. This is to help inform us and to hopefully create a helpful resource for guardians and family members.
Rachel: Support Broker Mini Grants for Self-Directed Services – One of the areas that has bene a struggle for self-directed services is a lack of support brokers. Support brokerage is available as a part of the service through the financial management service, but that’s it. Having an independent support broker that’s hired to assist someone direct their services has proven to be very helpful in states that have had self-directed services for a while. In some states the support broker is a family member, and then sometimes that family member provides support brokerage for someone else their loved one knows. People are tapped out right now. It’s great that OADS is providing support brokerage training to people at no cost, but we thought it would be advantageous to offer small grants to help with this as well to assist in compensating people for their time taking the training to hopefully get more people trained. This is designed for independent support brokers, not agency staff.
-A self-advocate stated that the word “broker” from the person’s perspective can have a negative connotation based on previous experiences. As such introducing the brokerage in a slow, informed, thoughtful way for all parties would be advantageous.
Rachel: Thank you, we definitely need to be aware of language, so I’ll bring that back. To speak to the actual service, this isn’t anything that anyone is required to do or have. We really want this to be a service available to everyone around the state and that it’s of good quality.
Rachel: Digital Access – One of the topics that came up as we were planning for the state plan was digital equity – access to broadband, access to technology, and knowing how to use technology. We were given some flexibility with some of our funding, so we bought iPads and were able to provide them to a small number of people with ID/DD who didn’t have their own devices and needed a way to access services, healthcare, social connections, etc. The demand far exceeded the supply. We developed a partnership with the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) to address the disparities experienced by digitally underserved rural Mainers with ID/DD by providing access to devices and training that enable full community engagement. (Click here for more information.)
Rachel: We’re doing some work with the Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) where women can access breast and cervical screenings regardless of income. Over the next two years we’re looking to increase the accessibility of screenings for women with ID/DD. Over the next few months, we’ll be finding some individuals with lived experience (self-advocates or parents) who have navigated this road to hear people’s experiences – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
-A self-advocate stated that having alternative, flexible options such as sedation would be advantageous for people with histories of trauma around this.
Rachel: You’re absolutely correct, providers need to understand the high rates of trauma/abuse for this population. Asking if it’s trauma-informed and medically appropriate is critical and I’m not convinced we’ve gotten all the way there yet. Though, we have heard a couple of good stories which was encouraging.
-A parent stated that she and her daughter made the informed decision to discontinue these screenings for her daughter because it was so stressful and intrusive for her and such a bad experience. She said it would be advantageous to have alternative and flexible options for people because these screenings could be lifesaving.
Rachel: I’d really like to come back to another meeting with Nancy Cronin to share information on the history website: Out of the Shadows – the Legacy of Pineland. The site is now completed and thank you to the many people in this group who contributed. In the meantime, I’d encourage everyone to visit the website.
-It was asked if Rachel could provide an update on their work around sexual trauma.
Rachel: Yes, over the summer we hosted a community of practice with individuals with ID/DD who had experience with sexual trauma which examined what the experiences with providers (clinicians, doctor, therapists, etc.) were like and how things could be improved. We’ve found that providers don’t know what to do when someone with ID/DD experience sexual trauma. We developed a list of resources and recommendations, knowing we’re not going to solve the problem overnight, but that it would be helpful for providers. This resource list is in the infancy stage and will be shared upon completion.
Cullen: Thank you for being here and for presenting on all of the incredible work you’re doing; well done!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
DHHS – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads
Betsy Hopkins: I wanted to share a few updates from OADS:
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAod--tqTwvGd3WkthQFwzd-feDOnwe_-W1
You must register to get the Zoom link.
The session for Providers is scheduled for Thursday, December 15, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qc-Ghqz4pEteeT9DfhCVElBUlAexV-PvP
You must register to get the Zoom information
-It was asked if there’s an update on the waitlists. It was stated that having the waitlist information broken down by the priorities would be advantageous.
Betsy: I don’t have waitlist information with me today, but they’re included in our quarterly updates which are posted on the website. I’m not sure if the Section 21 waitlist information is broken down by the three priorities but I’ll look into that.
-There was discussion regarding having difficulty finding previous quarterly updates on the website. Betsy stated that she would look into this.
Section 21 waitlist: 2017
Section 29 waitlist: 234
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Title 14-197, Chapter 5 Regulations Governing Behavioral Support, Modification and Management for People with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder in Maine
BRIEF SUMMARY: The purpose of this existing rule is to ensure that services provided to individuals experiencing Challenging Behavior are based on positive supports strategies and adhere to the commitment to end coercion and minimize unplanned, informal, and inconsistent interventions. The proposed amendment will clarify that when a Person experiencing Challenging Behavior receives MaineCare HCBS waiver services regulated, in part, under the Global HCBS Waiver rule, the provision of supports authorized under this Chapter 5 shall comply with the Global HCBS Waiver Rule.
PUBLIC HEARING: Due to the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, DHHS has determined that its public hearings will be conducted remotely, via ZOOM. This is in accordance with the DHHS Remote Rulemakings Hearings Policy issued September 10, 2021. A virtual hearing via ZOOM with be held on December 29, 2022. To register, please use this link.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the hearing. Interpreter services will be provided during the hearing upon request.
COMMENT DEADLINE: January 9, 2023, at 5:00 PM.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Joseph Zamboni, [email protected]
Click here for the full proposed rule
-Betsy was thanked for being at these meetings. It was stated that having her around the table consistently, sharing information, and taking feedback back to the Department is not only refreshing but game changing for the system of care and those who rely upon it.
Betsy: It’s a pleasure being here; I truly enjoy coming to these meetings and get a lot of really helpful information from all of you.
Cullen: Yes, it is a pleasure having you here, Betsy, thank you!
DHHS – Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs
Teresa Barrows: We have a new Associate Director of Children’s Behavioral Health. Our previous Associate Director will be solely with the early education portion of OCFS. It’s a really exciting time right now. Working so closely with Betsy and OADS on this transition work gives me a lot of hope and we’re all very excited about it. We’re still in the process of hiring for the Transition Liaison positions. The current workforce crisis is affecting receiving applicants. (Click here for a link to the job posting.)
Betsy: If people have questions before they apply, they can feel free to reach out and ask questions as well.
CBHS Provider Meeting Q&A 7-19-22.pdf
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Register here
Cullen: Thank you, Teresa!
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr - No update
Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE): No update
SMACT (Southern Maine Advisory Council on Transition):
Nancy Peavy: This year’s SMACT meetings will be held quarterly. The next meeting is on January 6th and will feature Michelle Bailey from Goodwill Workforce Solutions. The rest of the year’s meetings will be the first Friday of March and May. The SMACT website and the Coalition website are cross-linked for convenience and information-sharing. As a reminder, if you want to be on the email list feel free to email Nancy ([email protected]).
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Staci Converse: DRM, with support from the Maine Health Access Foundation, is conducting a research project focusing on the barriers people with disabilities face accessing health care in Maine. I mentioned the short survey we’re conducting at the last meeting, which is a great opportunity to share information and make some changes in the state. In addition to the survey we’re holding focus groups for people to share their experiences with healthcare access, there’s one in Augusta on 12/14 from 5:30-6:30 pm (click here for more info and to register). There will be a virtual focus group on ¼ from 5:30 – 6:30pm as well (click here for more info and to register).
I wanted to share some of the work we’re doing on ending sexual violence against people with disabilities, for which we collaborate with MECASA (Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault). This work is very important. Recent studies (NPR 2018) estimated a rate of 83% of females with developmental disabilities and 32% of males have been sexually or physically abused – half of these women have been assaulted more than 10 times. Only 3% reported. These statistics are alarming. We recently co-presented with sexual assault response center in Aroostook County at the SUFU Conference in Caribou to share information and resources. DRM participated in the MECASA Annual Conference in September and hosted a discussion panel of self-advocates to discuss ableism—what it looks like and how it can be combated—to advocates at sexual assault response centers throughout the state. DRM was awarded a grant from DOJ’s OVW - Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grant Program. We’re also working on a project to do training on people with ID/DD and sexual assault/violence for the university systems.
We conducted a survey on State Park access in hopes of making Maine’s state parks more accessible. We’ll be releasing a report on this soon and a video sometime in 2023.
I quickly wanted to introduce I want to introduce Sammy-Ellie MacKinnon. We’re very excited to have her working with us!
Cullen: Thank you for all your work and for being here!
LD 924 Task Force Update:
Betsy Hopkins: The group continues to meet and will be submitting recommendations to the Legislature.
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen: There seems to be energy in Congress around increasing funding for housing, including Section 8, which is promising.
State Legislature Update
Cullen: We will have regular updates from Laura Cordes, Executive Director of MACSP (Maine Association for Community Service Providers), starting in our January meeting. The First regular Session of the 131st Legislature convened on Wednesday, 12/7/22. Per the Legislature’s website, cloture (when bill titles must be submitted for consideration) will be established by Joint Rule when the 131st Legislature convenes. Per statute, in the first regular session cloture occurs at 4pm on the 3rd Friday in December. This being the First Session of the Legislature, any bill can be submitted for consideration.
On 12/6 Governor Mills introduced LD 1, An Act to Provide Funding for Winter Emergency Energy Relief and to Finalize the COVID Pandemic Relief Payment Program, a package of short-term measures aimed at ensuring that low-income and middle-class Maine people and families can stay warm, safe, and secure this winter amid near record high energy prices. This was introduced as emergency bill, and as such requires a 2/3’s majority vote in each chamber for enactment. The bill passed the House with more than a 2/3’s majority, but it did not pass the Senate with a 2/3’s majority needed for the emergency bill as such it failed passage.
There’s a lot of energy to improve systems, including housing and services for people with ID/DD, in Maine right now which is fantastic. I want to continue to encourage you to connect with newly elected legislators to educate them about you and your family’s needs – this is a wonderful time to tell your story before the Legislature gets into full swing. Please let them know how important resources and services are for people with ID/DD in Maine. Help them understand all of the dynamics involved, so that people in decision-making positions are well poised to make good choices. Our collective voice is quite powerful. Throughout the legislative session please be on the lookout for action alerts, which provide opportunities for you to raise your voice.
I am thrilled that Paul Saucier, Director of DHHS-OADS, reached out requesting to present a review of the Governor's Biennial Budget as it pertains to DHHS-OADS at the January meeting.
Other Business:
Cullen: The holidays are upon us, and this can be a difficult time for people for a variety of reasons. I encourage you all to take good care of yourselves and cherish the time with your loved ones. Every one of you work tremendously hard throughout the year to make the world a better place for people with ID/DD, and now is an ideal time to reflect upon that. Thank you for all you do, and I wish you a happy, healthy new year.
The next meeting will be on Monday, January 9, 2023, 12-2pm, via Zoom*.
Featured Speaker: Paul Saucier, Director, DHHS-OADS. Topic: Review of the Governor's Biennial Budget as it pertains to DHHS OADS
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2023 the October meeting will be the 3rd Monday due to the holiday)
The Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services provides equal opportunity for meeting participation. If you wish to attend but require an interpreter or other accommodation, please forward your request two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to [email protected].
Cullen Ryan introduced himself and welcomed the group. Minutes from the last meeting were accepted. For the sake of time, Cullen read the names of participants.
Featured Speakers: Rachel Dyer, Associate Director, Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC). www.maineddc.org Topic: Focus group regarding the development of a toolkit about protecting rights and promoting choices.
Cullen: Today I’m pleased to welcome Rachel Dyer, Associate Director of the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC), who will provide updates from the DDC and various initiatives they have underway, including a survey on a toolkit about protecting rights and promoting choices. She will also briefly touch on the new history website: Out of the Shadows – the Legacy of Pineland. Thank you for being here!
Rachel Dyer: Thank you for having me and our consultant, Michelle! For today’s presentation I chose a few things that we’ve been working on that I thought would be of particular interest to the Coalition.
Begin presentation (Click here for the presentation):
Rachel: We work in five-year state plan cycles due to our federal funding. When COVID began we were in our first year of our five-year plan. I wanted to highlight the Protect Rights, Promote Choices Toolkit. There was a lot of work around the probate code changes and educating people on guardianship and self-direction. Many parent members of the DDC mentioned that they didn’t know what the best choice would be for their family, and many who had guardianship said they wanted to be sure they were promoting choices and protecting the rights of their loved ones. We ended up talking with Partnerships for Health (PFH) around this and looked at it as an opportunity to learn what people do and don’t know, what they want to know, where they think there could be challenges, etc. Michelle from PFP will discuss the survey and the toolkit.
Michelle Munsey: PFH is a public health evaluation company based in Augusta. We work with the Maine CDC and other agencies to look at their projects and programs to evaluate them. We also do work with organizations that want to learn more or embark on something to help them get there and help them make data-driven decisions. I’m joined today by Dave and Bev Bell from Bell Evaluation and Education Consulting in Massachusetts who have an interest in this process and what’s going on in Maine and are assisting. We want to learn more about what’s being done in Maine, what’s working, what’s not working as well, where the challenges are, and make recommendations moving forward to create the toolkit. There’s a brief electronic survey which asks about various decision-making topics which will inform this process. The survey will be open at least through the end of December. We’d love to hear as many Maine voices as possible, starting with this group. (Click here for the link to the survey.)
Rachel: We want to hear from as many different voices as possible, including public guardians. We’re hoping to get it done by the end of December, but if we’re not ready by then that’s fine as well. We are on a timeline but it’s slightly flexible.
-It was asked if there’s a connection to other surveys being distributed.
Rachel: People have brought up the number of surveys they’ve been asked to take recently. Our research and our members were the starting point for the thought that resources around guardianship and self-direction and how to know how well it’s going would be helpful. This is to help inform us and to hopefully create a helpful resource for guardians and family members.
Rachel: Support Broker Mini Grants for Self-Directed Services – One of the areas that has bene a struggle for self-directed services is a lack of support brokers. Support brokerage is available as a part of the service through the financial management service, but that’s it. Having an independent support broker that’s hired to assist someone direct their services has proven to be very helpful in states that have had self-directed services for a while. In some states the support broker is a family member, and then sometimes that family member provides support brokerage for someone else their loved one knows. People are tapped out right now. It’s great that OADS is providing support brokerage training to people at no cost, but we thought it would be advantageous to offer small grants to help with this as well to assist in compensating people for their time taking the training to hopefully get more people trained. This is designed for independent support brokers, not agency staff.
-A self-advocate stated that the word “broker” from the person’s perspective can have a negative connotation based on previous experiences. As such introducing the brokerage in a slow, informed, thoughtful way for all parties would be advantageous.
Rachel: Thank you, we definitely need to be aware of language, so I’ll bring that back. To speak to the actual service, this isn’t anything that anyone is required to do or have. We really want this to be a service available to everyone around the state and that it’s of good quality.
Rachel: Digital Access – One of the topics that came up as we were planning for the state plan was digital equity – access to broadband, access to technology, and knowing how to use technology. We were given some flexibility with some of our funding, so we bought iPads and were able to provide them to a small number of people with ID/DD who didn’t have their own devices and needed a way to access services, healthcare, social connections, etc. The demand far exceeded the supply. We developed a partnership with the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) to address the disparities experienced by digitally underserved rural Mainers with ID/DD by providing access to devices and training that enable full community engagement. (Click here for more information.)
Rachel: We’re doing some work with the Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) where women can access breast and cervical screenings regardless of income. Over the next two years we’re looking to increase the accessibility of screenings for women with ID/DD. Over the next few months, we’ll be finding some individuals with lived experience (self-advocates or parents) who have navigated this road to hear people’s experiences – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
-A self-advocate stated that having alternative, flexible options such as sedation would be advantageous for people with histories of trauma around this.
Rachel: You’re absolutely correct, providers need to understand the high rates of trauma/abuse for this population. Asking if it’s trauma-informed and medically appropriate is critical and I’m not convinced we’ve gotten all the way there yet. Though, we have heard a couple of good stories which was encouraging.
-A parent stated that she and her daughter made the informed decision to discontinue these screenings for her daughter because it was so stressful and intrusive for her and such a bad experience. She said it would be advantageous to have alternative and flexible options for people because these screenings could be lifesaving.
Rachel: I’d really like to come back to another meeting with Nancy Cronin to share information on the history website: Out of the Shadows – the Legacy of Pineland. The site is now completed and thank you to the many people in this group who contributed. In the meantime, I’d encourage everyone to visit the website.
-It was asked if Rachel could provide an update on their work around sexual trauma.
Rachel: Yes, over the summer we hosted a community of practice with individuals with ID/DD who had experience with sexual trauma which examined what the experiences with providers (clinicians, doctor, therapists, etc.) were like and how things could be improved. We’ve found that providers don’t know what to do when someone with ID/DD experience sexual trauma. We developed a list of resources and recommendations, knowing we’re not going to solve the problem overnight, but that it would be helpful for providers. This resource list is in the infancy stage and will be shared upon completion.
Cullen: Thank you for being here and for presenting on all of the incredible work you’re doing; well done!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
DHHS – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads
Betsy Hopkins: I wanted to share a few updates from OADS:
- A Path for ME Assessment Orientation: OADS has been holding a series of “A Path for ME” assessment orientation meetings. To date we have held one session for Community case managers.
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAod--tqTwvGd3WkthQFwzd-feDOnwe_-W1
You must register to get the Zoom link.
The session for Providers is scheduled for Thursday, December 15, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qc-Ghqz4pEteeT9DfhCVElBUlAexV-PvP
You must register to get the Zoom information
- Behavioral Health Support and Crisis Services System Analysis: A few weeks ago, we shared some of the results from the START assessment. We’ve now posted the executive summary, full report, and OADS’ plan to address the issues raised in the assessment on the HCBS Improvement Plan Projects: Innovative Service Delivery page on the website.
- Cost of Living Adjustments: There was a MaineCare cost of living adjustment (COLA) for many MaineCare sections, including Sections 20, 21, and 29. The COLA will be effective January 1, 2023, and is equal to an increase of 8.24% above the currently established rate(s). As required by Part AAAA for the services specified in statute, this increase is keyed to the increase in the state minimum wage established in Title 26, section 664, subsection 1, to ensure that the labor components of rates for these services continue to equal at least 125% of minimum wage. The Department will post the updated fee schedules for the Sections above to the Rate Setting page of the MaineCare Health PAS portal as they are completed.
-It was asked if there’s an update on the waitlists. It was stated that having the waitlist information broken down by the priorities would be advantageous.
Betsy: I don’t have waitlist information with me today, but they’re included in our quarterly updates which are posted on the website. I’m not sure if the Section 21 waitlist information is broken down by the three priorities but I’ll look into that.
-There was discussion regarding having difficulty finding previous quarterly updates on the website. Betsy stated that she would look into this.
- After the meeting Betsy sent the following information via email: Participation and Waitlist Data for OADS Programs: This is the link to the wait list data which is updated quarterly – the next report for first quarter should be posted any day.
Section 21 waitlist: 2017
Section 29 waitlist: 234
- After the meeting Betsy also sent the information below:
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Title 14-197, Chapter 5 Regulations Governing Behavioral Support, Modification and Management for People with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder in Maine
BRIEF SUMMARY: The purpose of this existing rule is to ensure that services provided to individuals experiencing Challenging Behavior are based on positive supports strategies and adhere to the commitment to end coercion and minimize unplanned, informal, and inconsistent interventions. The proposed amendment will clarify that when a Person experiencing Challenging Behavior receives MaineCare HCBS waiver services regulated, in part, under the Global HCBS Waiver rule, the provision of supports authorized under this Chapter 5 shall comply with the Global HCBS Waiver Rule.
PUBLIC HEARING: Due to the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, DHHS has determined that its public hearings will be conducted remotely, via ZOOM. This is in accordance with the DHHS Remote Rulemakings Hearings Policy issued September 10, 2021. A virtual hearing via ZOOM with be held on December 29, 2022. To register, please use this link.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the hearing. Interpreter services will be provided during the hearing upon request.
COMMENT DEADLINE: January 9, 2023, at 5:00 PM.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Joseph Zamboni, [email protected]
Click here for the full proposed rule
-Betsy was thanked for being at these meetings. It was stated that having her around the table consistently, sharing information, and taking feedback back to the Department is not only refreshing but game changing for the system of care and those who rely upon it.
Betsy: It’s a pleasure being here; I truly enjoy coming to these meetings and get a lot of really helpful information from all of you.
Cullen: Yes, it is a pleasure having you here, Betsy, thank you!
DHHS – Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs
Teresa Barrows: We have a new Associate Director of Children’s Behavioral Health. Our previous Associate Director will be solely with the early education portion of OCFS. It’s a really exciting time right now. Working so closely with Betsy and OADS on this transition work gives me a lot of hope and we’re all very excited about it. We’re still in the process of hiring for the Transition Liaison positions. The current workforce crisis is affecting receiving applicants. (Click here for a link to the job posting.)
Betsy: If people have questions before they apply, they can feel free to reach out and ask questions as well.
- Children’s Behavioral Health Services Provider Meeting: Please join us for our Children’s Behavioral Health Services Provider meeting Wednesday, December 14, 2022, from 9:00am to 11:00am, via TEAMS (TEAMS pre-registration information is included below).
Who should attend: Program Managers/Supervisors of: Behavioral Health Home Coordinators, Home and Community Based Providers, Outpatient Clinicians, Rehabilitative Community Support Services, and Targeted Case Managers actively serving youth with behavioral health challenges.
MEETING CONTENT: This meeting will feature updates from OCFS, MaineCare and KEPRO. Additionally, we will have a discussion about future meetings and topics of interest.
Time will be allotted for attendees to have the opportunity to learn, network, and collaborate with peers.
ATTACHMENTS: Attached to this communication are the following:
CBHS Provider Meeting Q&A 7-19-22.pdf
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Register here
Cullen: Thank you, Teresa!
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr - No update
Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE): No update
SMACT (Southern Maine Advisory Council on Transition):
Nancy Peavy: This year’s SMACT meetings will be held quarterly. The next meeting is on January 6th and will feature Michelle Bailey from Goodwill Workforce Solutions. The rest of the year’s meetings will be the first Friday of March and May. The SMACT website and the Coalition website are cross-linked for convenience and information-sharing. As a reminder, if you want to be on the email list feel free to email Nancy ([email protected]).
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Staci Converse: DRM, with support from the Maine Health Access Foundation, is conducting a research project focusing on the barriers people with disabilities face accessing health care in Maine. I mentioned the short survey we’re conducting at the last meeting, which is a great opportunity to share information and make some changes in the state. In addition to the survey we’re holding focus groups for people to share their experiences with healthcare access, there’s one in Augusta on 12/14 from 5:30-6:30 pm (click here for more info and to register). There will be a virtual focus group on ¼ from 5:30 – 6:30pm as well (click here for more info and to register).
I wanted to share some of the work we’re doing on ending sexual violence against people with disabilities, for which we collaborate with MECASA (Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault). This work is very important. Recent studies (NPR 2018) estimated a rate of 83% of females with developmental disabilities and 32% of males have been sexually or physically abused – half of these women have been assaulted more than 10 times. Only 3% reported. These statistics are alarming. We recently co-presented with sexual assault response center in Aroostook County at the SUFU Conference in Caribou to share information and resources. DRM participated in the MECASA Annual Conference in September and hosted a discussion panel of self-advocates to discuss ableism—what it looks like and how it can be combated—to advocates at sexual assault response centers throughout the state. DRM was awarded a grant from DOJ’s OVW - Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grant Program. We’re also working on a project to do training on people with ID/DD and sexual assault/violence for the university systems.
We conducted a survey on State Park access in hopes of making Maine’s state parks more accessible. We’ll be releasing a report on this soon and a video sometime in 2023.
I quickly wanted to introduce I want to introduce Sammy-Ellie MacKinnon. We’re very excited to have her working with us!
Cullen: Thank you for all your work and for being here!
LD 924 Task Force Update:
Betsy Hopkins: The group continues to meet and will be submitting recommendations to the Legislature.
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen: There seems to be energy in Congress around increasing funding for housing, including Section 8, which is promising.
- FY 23 Budget: The President signed a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) on 9/30, averting a government shutdown. The CR funds the federal government at FY 22 levels through 12/16, when Congress would have to either pass an Omnibus spending bill for FY 23 or another CR. Congress and staff continue to negotiate the final FY 23 spending bill, including the T-HUD funding bill. Both the House and Senate versions included increased HUD funding when they were released, however work remains for both chambers to come to an agreement.
- Potential Tas Extenders Package: Congress may enact a tax extenders package before the end of 2022. Many tax provisions are authorized for only a set number of years, leaving Congress to reevaluate them prior to their expiration and decide whether to extend them. With a number of tax provisions up for extension at the end of this year, the tax extenders package presents an opportunity to make needed legislative changes to LIHTC program so that it better serves households with the lowest incomes.
State Legislature Update
Cullen: We will have regular updates from Laura Cordes, Executive Director of MACSP (Maine Association for Community Service Providers), starting in our January meeting. The First regular Session of the 131st Legislature convened on Wednesday, 12/7/22. Per the Legislature’s website, cloture (when bill titles must be submitted for consideration) will be established by Joint Rule when the 131st Legislature convenes. Per statute, in the first regular session cloture occurs at 4pm on the 3rd Friday in December. This being the First Session of the Legislature, any bill can be submitted for consideration.
On 12/6 Governor Mills introduced LD 1, An Act to Provide Funding for Winter Emergency Energy Relief and to Finalize the COVID Pandemic Relief Payment Program, a package of short-term measures aimed at ensuring that low-income and middle-class Maine people and families can stay warm, safe, and secure this winter amid near record high energy prices. This was introduced as emergency bill, and as such requires a 2/3’s majority vote in each chamber for enactment. The bill passed the House with more than a 2/3’s majority, but it did not pass the Senate with a 2/3’s majority needed for the emergency bill as such it failed passage.
There’s a lot of energy to improve systems, including housing and services for people with ID/DD, in Maine right now which is fantastic. I want to continue to encourage you to connect with newly elected legislators to educate them about you and your family’s needs – this is a wonderful time to tell your story before the Legislature gets into full swing. Please let them know how important resources and services are for people with ID/DD in Maine. Help them understand all of the dynamics involved, so that people in decision-making positions are well poised to make good choices. Our collective voice is quite powerful. Throughout the legislative session please be on the lookout for action alerts, which provide opportunities for you to raise your voice.
I am thrilled that Paul Saucier, Director of DHHS-OADS, reached out requesting to present a review of the Governor's Biennial Budget as it pertains to DHHS-OADS at the January meeting.
Other Business:
Cullen: The holidays are upon us, and this can be a difficult time for people for a variety of reasons. I encourage you all to take good care of yourselves and cherish the time with your loved ones. Every one of you work tremendously hard throughout the year to make the world a better place for people with ID/DD, and now is an ideal time to reflect upon that. Thank you for all you do, and I wish you a happy, healthy new year.
The next meeting will be on Monday, January 9, 2023, 12-2pm, via Zoom*.
Featured Speaker: Paul Saucier, Director, DHHS-OADS. Topic: Review of the Governor's Biennial Budget as it pertains to DHHS OADS
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2023 the October meeting will be the 3rd Monday due to the holiday)
The Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services provides equal opportunity for meeting participation. If you wish to attend but require an interpreter or other accommodation, please forward your request two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to [email protected].