June 10, 2024
Minutes
Minutes
Attendees via Zoom: Alli Vercoe, Amanda Parker, Annah McDougal, Annmarie Mayberry, Betsy Hopkins, Brenda Smith, Carol Snyder, Christina Millette, Darla Chafin, Elizabeth (Hansen) Burgess, Hanna Daigle, Ilea, J Richardson Collins, Jamie Whitehouse, Jeff Burchstead, Jennifer Frey, Julianne Zaharis, Kim Humphrey, Laura Cordes, Libby Stone-Sterling, Lucas Cuellar, Margaret Cardoza, Mark Kemmerle, Marti Howard, Michaela York, Paula Bush, Pete Chamberlain, Peter Bucklin, Rachel Dyer, RJ Adler, Robin Levesque, Sara Fleurant, Shane Ashe, Shelley Zielinski, Shelly King, Tammy Usher, Vickey Merrill, Cullen Ryan, 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.
Featured Speaker: Julianne Zaharis, Community Work Incentives Coordinator, Benefits Counseling Services, MaineHealth. www.benefitsandworkinme.org Topic: Overview of the Benefits Counseling Services Program, including a pilot project in preparation for the Lifespan Waiver.
Cullen: Today I’m pleased to welcome Julianne Zaharis, Community Work Incentives Coordinator, Benefits Counseling Services, with MaineHealth who will be providing an overview of the Benefits Counseling Services Program, including a pilot project in preparation for the Lifespan Waiver. Thank you for being here, Julianne!
Julianne Zaharis: Thank you for having me! I’m here to tell you a little bit more about who we are and what we do, along with my colleague Pete Chamberlain. We’re working on a pilot project as part of the OADS Lifespan initiative and I’m excited to talk about that as well. If you have questions, thoughts, concerns, etc. please speak up during the presentation!
Begin Presentation (Click here for the presentation):
Julianne: Benefits Counseling Services (BCS) is part of Maine Medical Center’s Vocational Services – which is different from and not part of Maine’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, though we do work with them. There are approximately 72,000 work-age Mainers receiving a Social Security Benefit – and there are eight (8) Benefits Counselors. This is one of the reasons why we’re here to spread the word!
In 2023, OADS announced availability a series of pilot grants for the proposed Lifespan Waiver. Benefits Counseling Services applied and are excited to have been awarded one of these grants in 2024. This allowed our team to expand from six (6) to a total of eight (8), with two CWICs (Community Work Incentive Coordinators) dedicated to providing BCS services to people receiving a Section 21 or 29 waiver (see slides 4 through 6 of the presentation for detailed information on the Innovation Grant).
Pete Chamberlain: There are different types of disability benefits, and it’s important to know the rules for the different types. There are also a lot of myths about working with disability benefits and we’re here to help people differentiate between myth and fact (see slide 10 of the presentation).
Julianne: We provide individualized services, it’s very individualized/specific to the person’s goals.
Lucas Cuellar: I’m curious if you can say if a specific amount of income would affect benefits.
Julianne: The Benefit agencies are going to look at how much income someone has earned in their pre-tax income. Earning income affects SSI (Supplemental Security Income) differently than a Title II benefit (Social Security Disability, Childhood Disability Benefit, Disabled Widow(er) Benefit). We do have fact sheets on our website that provide more specific information on working and these specific benefits (scroll down and click the + to open the Fact Sheets & Videos).
Julianne: We are champions for the Lifespan waiver proposal where 100% of earned income is disregarded for MaineCare eligibility. The reason is there are some waiver members who do not qualify for 1619(b) or Working Disabled MaineCare because their Social Security income is too high.
Julianne: We often hear the question why someone would want to work when they’re receiving disability benefits. Working provides more than just income, there are numerous benefits people receive from working not related to income (slide 12 of the presentation).
Julianne: If you’re interested in a referral to BCS:
-Call 1-888-208-8700 or visit www.benefitsandworkinme.org to get the current BCS Referral Packet. Previous versions of the BCS referral packet are no longer accepted.
-Fax, mail, or email the completed referral packet to us:
Fax: (207) 662-6789
Mail: MMC Dept of Vocational Services, Attn: BCS, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 0410
Email [email protected] to receive a secure link to send your form(s).
-We will call to schedule a Benefits Counseling meeting once we receive the referral packet and verify what benefits the person is getting. Meetings occur by video (Zoom/Teams), phone, or in-person.
-Recontact CWIC as needed when there are additional work/benefits questions. New referral packet not needed unless releases have expired (good for 1 year).
Discussion:
-A self-advocate asked if BCS covers potential employment discrimination. She stated that she had experienced discrimination, and that experience had made her fearful of entering the workforce again.
Julianne: That’s a great question, and it’s still a very prevalent issue. And I’m very sorry to hear that, sincerely. I had the pleasure of going to a conference with Disability Rights Maine (DRM) on Friday and one of the speakers was an attorney dedicated to discrimination that happens in the workforce. In my specific role that’s out of my area of expertise but it’s definitely an important topic. If I were meeting with someone who felt that they experienced discrimination from an employer I would highly recommend and help coordinate support with case managers and DRM.
Lucas Cuellar – DRM: Absolutely yes, give us a call! And perhaps also the Maine Human Rights Commission. This is such an important topic, as is informing potential employers about this.
-A self-advocate asked about sheltered workshops.
Julianne: We no longer provide sheltered workshops, and this is long overdue. We try to dispel myths in everything we do, and this includes the recent shifts and progress that has been made – where things used to be fact (subminimum wage, etc.) and aren’t anymore.
-A self-advocate asked about work and day programming and if people should choose one or the other.
Julianne: That’s a great question. We have people who do both or choose one or the other – it’s completely up to the individual and their wants and goals. If employment isn’t active in their goals, or not right for people, that’s fine. We just like to plant the seed that employment is an option if they want to pursue it and that we offer services that could be helpful if so.
Laura Cordes: I was wondering if you could provide an update on the Innovation Grant and how it’s going.
Julianne: It’s going very, very well! We’ve found we have more time to connect individually with people. Because we’re embedded in these agencies, we have more capacity and have the ability to dig in deep and provide a higher level of services. We’re also able to help people who we otherwise wouldn’t be able to – we can reach populations (people receiving Section 21 or 29 but not receiving disability benefits) that we have not had the pleasure of working with based on the stipulations of our standard program. This is a very interesting and highly rewarding project.
Julianne: People can also sign up to join our mailing list to receive email updates from BCS.
Cullen: Thank you for this presentation, this was fantastic. Thank you, Julianne, for attending these meetings with regularity, and thank you both for all your work and for your energy – it’s contagious!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
Featured Speaker: Laura Cordes, Executive Director, Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP). meacsp.org Topic: Wrap-up of the Second Session of the 131st Legislature, including the enacted Supplemental Budget and what bills were enacted pertaining to the continuum of care for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Cullen: Today I’m pleased to welcome Laura Cordes, Executive Director of the Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP) who will be presenting a wrap-up of the Second Session of the 131st Legislature, including the enacted Supplemental Budget and what bills were enacted pertaining to the continuum of care for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Thank you for being here, Laura!
Laura Cordes: Thank you for having me! As this group knows, I created a Google doc for the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature to support the MCHQS' interest in monitoring and engaging in bills of interest. The doc contains an updated list of bills of interest, which I’ll be reviewing in detail. (For more information please refer to the Google Doc.)
Laura Cordes: The Legislature adjourned Friday 5/10, after the veto session. Bills (except for emergency bills) go into effect 90 days after adjournment. I’m happy to update the Google Doc and do a longer summary at the next meeting. But there was an unconventional moment this Session in the April when the Legislature was supposed to adjourn, they had run out of time to address bills on the Special Appropriations Table. Last Tuesday the Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA) Committee moved 80 bills off the Table. The Senate voted on them on Friday, but the House did not. There are a whole host of bills that didn’t get funded off the Table.
Governor’s Supplemental Budget - The Budget has been signed by the Governor. Link here for final budget document.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE
Only a handful of bills were taken off the special appropriations table on the last day of session and the clock ran out before they could be fully enacted in the Senate and sent to the Governor.
VETO DAY FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
The 131st Legislature Adjourned May 10, 2024 – Bills of Interest: To look up any bill click on this link and enter the bill number
Cullen Ryan introduced himself and welcomed the group. Minutes from the last meeting were accepted.
Featured Speaker: Julianne Zaharis, Community Work Incentives Coordinator, Benefits Counseling Services, MaineHealth. www.benefitsandworkinme.org Topic: Overview of the Benefits Counseling Services Program, including a pilot project in preparation for the Lifespan Waiver.
Cullen: Today I’m pleased to welcome Julianne Zaharis, Community Work Incentives Coordinator, Benefits Counseling Services, with MaineHealth who will be providing an overview of the Benefits Counseling Services Program, including a pilot project in preparation for the Lifespan Waiver. Thank you for being here, Julianne!
Julianne Zaharis: Thank you for having me! I’m here to tell you a little bit more about who we are and what we do, along with my colleague Pete Chamberlain. We’re working on a pilot project as part of the OADS Lifespan initiative and I’m excited to talk about that as well. If you have questions, thoughts, concerns, etc. please speak up during the presentation!
Begin Presentation (Click here for the presentation):
Julianne: Benefits Counseling Services (BCS) is part of Maine Medical Center’s Vocational Services – which is different from and not part of Maine’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, though we do work with them. There are approximately 72,000 work-age Mainers receiving a Social Security Benefit – and there are eight (8) Benefits Counselors. This is one of the reasons why we’re here to spread the word!
In 2023, OADS announced availability a series of pilot grants for the proposed Lifespan Waiver. Benefits Counseling Services applied and are excited to have been awarded one of these grants in 2024. This allowed our team to expand from six (6) to a total of eight (8), with two CWICs (Community Work Incentive Coordinators) dedicated to providing BCS services to people receiving a Section 21 or 29 waiver (see slides 4 through 6 of the presentation for detailed information on the Innovation Grant).
Pete Chamberlain: There are different types of disability benefits, and it’s important to know the rules for the different types. There are also a lot of myths about working with disability benefits and we’re here to help people differentiate between myth and fact (see slide 10 of the presentation).
Julianne: We provide individualized services, it’s very individualized/specific to the person’s goals.
Lucas Cuellar: I’m curious if you can say if a specific amount of income would affect benefits.
Julianne: The Benefit agencies are going to look at how much income someone has earned in their pre-tax income. Earning income affects SSI (Supplemental Security Income) differently than a Title II benefit (Social Security Disability, Childhood Disability Benefit, Disabled Widow(er) Benefit). We do have fact sheets on our website that provide more specific information on working and these specific benefits (scroll down and click the + to open the Fact Sheets & Videos).
Julianne: We are champions for the Lifespan waiver proposal where 100% of earned income is disregarded for MaineCare eligibility. The reason is there are some waiver members who do not qualify for 1619(b) or Working Disabled MaineCare because their Social Security income is too high.
Julianne: We often hear the question why someone would want to work when they’re receiving disability benefits. Working provides more than just income, there are numerous benefits people receive from working not related to income (slide 12 of the presentation).
Julianne: If you’re interested in a referral to BCS:
-Call 1-888-208-8700 or visit www.benefitsandworkinme.org to get the current BCS Referral Packet. Previous versions of the BCS referral packet are no longer accepted.
-Fax, mail, or email the completed referral packet to us:
Fax: (207) 662-6789
Mail: MMC Dept of Vocational Services, Attn: BCS, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 0410
Email [email protected] to receive a secure link to send your form(s).
-We will call to schedule a Benefits Counseling meeting once we receive the referral packet and verify what benefits the person is getting. Meetings occur by video (Zoom/Teams), phone, or in-person.
-Recontact CWIC as needed when there are additional work/benefits questions. New referral packet not needed unless releases have expired (good for 1 year).
Discussion:
-A self-advocate asked if BCS covers potential employment discrimination. She stated that she had experienced discrimination, and that experience had made her fearful of entering the workforce again.
Julianne: That’s a great question, and it’s still a very prevalent issue. And I’m very sorry to hear that, sincerely. I had the pleasure of going to a conference with Disability Rights Maine (DRM) on Friday and one of the speakers was an attorney dedicated to discrimination that happens in the workforce. In my specific role that’s out of my area of expertise but it’s definitely an important topic. If I were meeting with someone who felt that they experienced discrimination from an employer I would highly recommend and help coordinate support with case managers and DRM.
Lucas Cuellar – DRM: Absolutely yes, give us a call! And perhaps also the Maine Human Rights Commission. This is such an important topic, as is informing potential employers about this.
-A self-advocate asked about sheltered workshops.
Julianne: We no longer provide sheltered workshops, and this is long overdue. We try to dispel myths in everything we do, and this includes the recent shifts and progress that has been made – where things used to be fact (subminimum wage, etc.) and aren’t anymore.
-A self-advocate asked about work and day programming and if people should choose one or the other.
Julianne: That’s a great question. We have people who do both or choose one or the other – it’s completely up to the individual and their wants and goals. If employment isn’t active in their goals, or not right for people, that’s fine. We just like to plant the seed that employment is an option if they want to pursue it and that we offer services that could be helpful if so.
Laura Cordes: I was wondering if you could provide an update on the Innovation Grant and how it’s going.
Julianne: It’s going very, very well! We’ve found we have more time to connect individually with people. Because we’re embedded in these agencies, we have more capacity and have the ability to dig in deep and provide a higher level of services. We’re also able to help people who we otherwise wouldn’t be able to – we can reach populations (people receiving Section 21 or 29 but not receiving disability benefits) that we have not had the pleasure of working with based on the stipulations of our standard program. This is a very interesting and highly rewarding project.
Julianne: People can also sign up to join our mailing list to receive email updates from BCS.
Cullen: Thank you for this presentation, this was fantastic. Thank you, Julianne, for attending these meetings with regularity, and thank you both for all your work and for your energy – it’s contagious!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
Featured Speaker: Laura Cordes, Executive Director, Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP). meacsp.org Topic: Wrap-up of the Second Session of the 131st Legislature, including the enacted Supplemental Budget and what bills were enacted pertaining to the continuum of care for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Cullen: Today I’m pleased to welcome Laura Cordes, Executive Director of the Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP) who will be presenting a wrap-up of the Second Session of the 131st Legislature, including the enacted Supplemental Budget and what bills were enacted pertaining to the continuum of care for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Thank you for being here, Laura!
Laura Cordes: Thank you for having me! As this group knows, I created a Google doc for the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature to support the MCHQS' interest in monitoring and engaging in bills of interest. The doc contains an updated list of bills of interest, which I’ll be reviewing in detail. (For more information please refer to the Google Doc.)
Laura Cordes: The Legislature adjourned Friday 5/10, after the veto session. Bills (except for emergency bills) go into effect 90 days after adjournment. I’m happy to update the Google Doc and do a longer summary at the next meeting. But there was an unconventional moment this Session in the April when the Legislature was supposed to adjourn, they had run out of time to address bills on the Special Appropriations Table. Last Tuesday the Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA) Committee moved 80 bills off the Table. The Senate voted on them on Friday, but the House did not. There are a whole host of bills that didn’t get funded off the Table.
Governor’s Supplemental Budget - The Budget has been signed by the Governor. Link here for final budget document.
- Budget documents can be found at the Bureau of Budget website https://www.maine.gov/budget/
- LD 2214 Governor’s Supplemental Budget Governor’s Supplemental Budget was released in February and included proposed adjustments to the biennial FY 24 and FY25 budget that was adopted last year.
- The Governor committed to spending 100 million on storm damage recovery and response to Lewiston shootings.
- She has also committed to leaving 100 million to be carried over to the next Legislature.
- In her state of the state written address, she notes a forthcoming plan that “reforms our approach to educating pre-k children with disabilities, eliminating our status as an outlier among states, and ensuring that our children receive the “free, appropriate, public education” they deserve.”
- Governor’s Change Package proposed additional adjustments to the biennial FY24 and FY25 budget based on additional revenue announced this winter.
- The Final Budget was adopted on the last day of session, April 17, 2024. Link here for final budget document.
- Budget included:
- Funding to support a multi-year CDS plan to reorganize CDS and transition FAPE responsibility to SAUs (see LD 345 below).
- Funding for DOE/CDS payments for educational services provided to 3–5-year-olds in special purpose preschools.
- Funding for the January 1, 2024, 2.54% COLA for children and adult Case Management service rates and children’s behavioral health and IDD service rates.
- Also included in the enacted Supplemental Budget through the Budget Change Package: $22 million in one-time funding to build more housing in Maine: $11 million to the Rural Affordable Rental Housing Program, created by the Governor and the Legislature, and $11 million to leverage an additional $11 million in Federal low-income housing tax credits. This increase in funding is estimated to create more than 150 new housing units. It also builds on the $10 million the Governor has proposed in her supplemental budget for the Affordable Homeownership Program, which will allow for an estimated 130 new single-family homes in Maine.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE
Only a handful of bills were taken off the special appropriations table on the last day of session and the clock ran out before they could be fully enacted in the Senate and sent to the Governor.
VETO DAY FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2024
- With 11 million unspent and hundreds of bills still on the Special Appropriations Table, debate ensued between the Legislature and Governor’ as to whether the Legislature had the legal authority to do more business ahead of Veto Day as they as they had not extended session, and if they did enact bills, could or would the Governor accept them.
- The Appropriations Committee chose to meet ahead of the May 10th Veto Day and moved 80 bills off the Special Appropriations table. Some of these bills had been amended by the committee and were sent to the House. On Veto Day all of the bills needed to be enacted in the Senate in order to be sent to the Governor. Some bills were not called for a vote in the House due to member absences so they could not be moved to the Senate. The Senate attempted to send the bills that had been fully enacted in the Senate to the Governor but in the end, the Governor chose not to accept them.
- Articles describing this unprecedented situation and the end of the session:
The 131st Legislature Adjourned May 10, 2024 – Bills of Interest: To look up any bill click on this link and enter the bill number
Laura: Tomorrow is Primary Day. The whole 132nd Legislature will be elected in November. Committees will change. There are Legislators terming out. There are contested elections. Our work over the summer is to contact people running for office and educate them, express concerns, and advocate for yourself and your loved ones. Any bill can be introduced on the First Session of the 132nd Legislature.
Cullen: Thank you for this informative presentation, Laura, and for all of your advocacy this Session! It’s great to have you here as a resource and to make this all so easy for us when it is indeed not easy at all and an incredible amount of work. Laura is also a constant presence at the State House, which is phenomenal. It’s been said in the past that the Special Appropriations Table is where bills go to die – that was even more true this Session. Legislators are really working to make a difference; sometimes the atmosphere is such that they can’t do all the things that they want to do. But constant advocacy makes a huge difference to shape policy.
I also want to thank everyone for all of their advocacy throughout the Legislative Session. Thank you for raising your voice and telling your stories! As Laura mentioned, every seat in the Legislature is up for election/re-election this fall. Please reach out to candidates running for office, educate them on the needs of people with disabilities in Maine, and continue to raise your voice and tell your stories so that people elected to the Legislature are well-poised to make good decisions in the 132nd Legislature. Sharing personal stories is the most effective form of advocacy and is essential to ensure we move the needle forward. Thank you all!
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:
-Lifespan Update: Work on the lifespan Waiver is still underway – In May 2024, OADS held in-person sessions across the state for provider and families and individuals receiving services. You can find the PowerPoints used for these sessions here. Currently the department is meeting with the Center for Medicaid Services on completing the waiver application; we hope to be ready for public review of the waiver application later this summer or early fall, 2024. For the most up to date information about the waiver, please see the FAQ document posted online.
-Streamlining Direct Care Curricula/training requirements: The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and other DHHS partners are working to establish a streamlined curricula and training requirements to ensure competency in Maine’s direct care workforce. The goal is to build a comprehensive and accessible training and certification system that would enable career progression, specialization, and cross-training to build a stable workforce with the tools and flexibility necessary to meet the challenges of adults who need long term services and supports. There was an initial overview of the Direct Workforce Curriculum and the plans for rolling it out over the next year provided last Friday, June 7th. The PowerPoint and recording of that overview will be shared on this website later this week. (The plan is to have the training materials available in different languages.)
-SIS-A Updates and Question and Answer Session: Please join the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and Maximus, our SIS-A assessment vendor for a SIS-A Question and Answer session. The session will focus on the Supports Intensity Scale for Adults 2nd Edition (SIS-A) needs assessments and will also offer updates. The SIS-A needs assessments will be for Sections 21 and 29 members and those on the waitlists. The SIS-A needs assessment will eventually be required for participation in the Lifespan Waiver. We invite you to attend this session to learn about the SIS-A in Maine. There will also be time for attendees to ask questions. All attendees are required to register for the session using the link below. A link to join the Zoom session will be sent to your email after you have registered. June 13, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkceqopj0pG9Bn5Z69xcU-hbJ9gij-D-Vc
If you need an accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at [email protected].
-DHHS-OADS Disability Services Reportable Events Training Sections 21 and 29: The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) Reportable Events trainings for 2024 are now open for registration. The OADS Quality Assurance team is hosting this monthly Zoom training. Goals of the session include reporting requirements, best practices, and answers to questions. This training is for Providers and Case Managers of individuals receiving Section 21 and 29 services.
2024 Schedule of Upcoming Dates:
After the event, attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available on the OADS website at: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/providers/adults-with-intellectual-disability-and-autism/reportable-events
Note: Each attendee must register and use their unique link to join the sessions to receive a certificate of attendance. Using another attendee’s unique login link will result in your attendance not being recorded.
Please register at this link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpd-uvpjsvGtc6D_ntbMkkWyR7ceqBl1wH
If you require accommodation, such as real-time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL), or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen by email [email protected] at least two weeks before the session you plan to attend. Please contact [email protected] with any questions about Reportable Events training.
-It was asked if the staffing ratio will be reverting back to the previous ratio.
Betsy: We’ve received data and emails about the request and hopefully an answer will come out in the next couple of weeks. But as of right now that is the plan.
-A self-advocate asked if there’s any information about who will be the new Commissioner.
Betsy: No, I don’t have that information. I will say that Sarah Gagne-Holmes, the Acting Commissioner, is wonderful to work with and we’re lucky to have her.
Cullen: Thank you, Betsy, for being here, for providing all of this information, and for seeking and really listening to feedback received to optimize the system. We’ll all be better for it. Thank you again!
DHHS – Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CBHS), Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs -No Update
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr
Libby Stone-Sterling:
Cullen: Thank you, Libby!
Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE) - www.maine.gov/doe/learning/specialed - No Update
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Lucas Cuellar: Disability Pride 2024 will take place on July 19th at Mill Park in Augusta. Stay tuned for more information (click here for the flyer).
Cullen: Thank you for being here, Lucas!
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen:
-A self-advocate asked if there has been any legislation pertaining to keeping older adults in their homes versus transferring to nursing homes.
Cullen: I haven’t seen any specific legislation on this either, but we have seen some promising changes. The Section 20 waiver was created because people with cerebral palsy had been languishing in nursing homes. There is movement in a positive direction to ensure people receive the care they need where they’re at, versus having to go to a specific facility to receive that care.
State Legislature Update – No Additional updates.
Other Business: None
The next meeting will be on ***Monday, August 12, 2024*** 12-2:00pm, via Zoom*
Featured Speaker: Bonnie Jean Brooks, Interim Executive Director, Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board (MDSOAB). Topic: 2024 MDSOAB Annual Forum.
***Please note there will not be a meeting in July***
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2024 the October and November meetings will be the 3rd Monday due to the holidays)
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: Thank you for this informative presentation, Laura, and for all of your advocacy this Session! It’s great to have you here as a resource and to make this all so easy for us when it is indeed not easy at all and an incredible amount of work. Laura is also a constant presence at the State House, which is phenomenal. It’s been said in the past that the Special Appropriations Table is where bills go to die – that was even more true this Session. Legislators are really working to make a difference; sometimes the atmosphere is such that they can’t do all the things that they want to do. But constant advocacy makes a huge difference to shape policy.
I also want to thank everyone for all of their advocacy throughout the Legislative Session. Thank you for raising your voice and telling your stories! As Laura mentioned, every seat in the Legislature is up for election/re-election this fall. Please reach out to candidates running for office, educate them on the needs of people with disabilities in Maine, and continue to raise your voice and tell your stories so that people elected to the Legislature are well-poised to make good decisions in the 132nd Legislature. Sharing personal stories is the most effective form of advocacy and is essential to ensure we move the needle forward. Thank you all!
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:
-Lifespan Update: Work on the lifespan Waiver is still underway – In May 2024, OADS held in-person sessions across the state for provider and families and individuals receiving services. You can find the PowerPoints used for these sessions here. Currently the department is meeting with the Center for Medicaid Services on completing the waiver application; we hope to be ready for public review of the waiver application later this summer or early fall, 2024. For the most up to date information about the waiver, please see the FAQ document posted online.
-Streamlining Direct Care Curricula/training requirements: The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and other DHHS partners are working to establish a streamlined curricula and training requirements to ensure competency in Maine’s direct care workforce. The goal is to build a comprehensive and accessible training and certification system that would enable career progression, specialization, and cross-training to build a stable workforce with the tools and flexibility necessary to meet the challenges of adults who need long term services and supports. There was an initial overview of the Direct Workforce Curriculum and the plans for rolling it out over the next year provided last Friday, June 7th. The PowerPoint and recording of that overview will be shared on this website later this week. (The plan is to have the training materials available in different languages.)
-SIS-A Updates and Question and Answer Session: Please join the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and Maximus, our SIS-A assessment vendor for a SIS-A Question and Answer session. The session will focus on the Supports Intensity Scale for Adults 2nd Edition (SIS-A) needs assessments and will also offer updates. The SIS-A needs assessments will be for Sections 21 and 29 members and those on the waitlists. The SIS-A needs assessment will eventually be required for participation in the Lifespan Waiver. We invite you to attend this session to learn about the SIS-A in Maine. There will also be time for attendees to ask questions. All attendees are required to register for the session using the link below. A link to join the Zoom session will be sent to your email after you have registered. June 13, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkceqopj0pG9Bn5Z69xcU-hbJ9gij-D-Vc
If you need an accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at [email protected].
-DHHS-OADS Disability Services Reportable Events Training Sections 21 and 29: The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) Reportable Events trainings for 2024 are now open for registration. The OADS Quality Assurance team is hosting this monthly Zoom training. Goals of the session include reporting requirements, best practices, and answers to questions. This training is for Providers and Case Managers of individuals receiving Section 21 and 29 services.
2024 Schedule of Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, June 17th: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
- Thursday, July 25th: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- Monday, August 19th: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
- Thursday, September 26th: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- Monday, October 21st: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
- Thursday, November 21st: 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- Monday, December 16th: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
After the event, attendees will receive a certificate of attendance. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is available on the OADS website at: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/providers/adults-with-intellectual-disability-and-autism/reportable-events
Note: Each attendee must register and use their unique link to join the sessions to receive a certificate of attendance. Using another attendee’s unique login link will result in your attendance not being recorded.
Please register at this link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpd-uvpjsvGtc6D_ntbMkkWyR7ceqBl1wH
If you require accommodation, such as real-time transcription and captioning (CART), American Sign Language (ASL), or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen by email [email protected] at least two weeks before the session you plan to attend. Please contact [email protected] with any questions about Reportable Events training.
-It was asked if the staffing ratio will be reverting back to the previous ratio.
Betsy: We’ve received data and emails about the request and hopefully an answer will come out in the next couple of weeks. But as of right now that is the plan.
-A self-advocate asked if there’s any information about who will be the new Commissioner.
Betsy: No, I don’t have that information. I will say that Sarah Gagne-Holmes, the Acting Commissioner, is wonderful to work with and we’re lucky to have her.
Cullen: Thank you, Betsy, for being here, for providing all of this information, and for seeking and really listening to feedback received to optimize the system. We’ll all be better for it. Thank you again!
DHHS – Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CBHS), Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs -No Update
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr
Libby Stone-Sterling:
- Maine Department of Labor Publishes Paid Family Medical Leave Rules for Public Comment – Maine DOL is moving forward with Paid Family Medical Leave and held a Public Hearing today (click here for more information).
- Leadership Changes - We’ve had a number of changes in MDOL’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS). I have been appointed as Director. Samantha Fenderson has moved into the Director for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation role. In the next week or so the Assistant Director position will be posted.
- Pathways to Partnerships – We received a US Dept. of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration “Disability Innovation Fund: Pathways to Partnerships” Grant to support hundreds of youth with disabilities as they prepare for employment and post-secondary education. Recognizing the important role of interagency collaboration in this grant’s success, the Maine Department of Education and Alpha One, Maines sole Center for Independent Living, will serve as core partners in Pathways to Partnerships. Additionally, numerous youth-serving state and community agencies, including MDOL’s Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, will join in the collaborative efforts. Regional School Unit #29 in Houlton, which also serves the towns of Hammond, Littleton, and Monticello, and Regional School Unit # 71 in Belfast have been identified to pilot activities for students. All schools serve diverse populations, including those experiencing economic disadvantages. Part of this grant includes funding two additional Benefit Counselors positions to help to do preparation and outreach work with families, beginning as early as age 10.
- New Targeted Positions - Thanks to additional state funding, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has been able to add four new Targeted Caseload – Rehabilitation Counselor IIs. These new VR Counselors will be based in Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and Portland and will exclusively serve individuals with I/DD. We are excited to be partnering on training of these new staff with OADS so that we can continue to strengthen how our agencies work together to assist individuals with I/DD to prepare for, find, maintain, and advance in employment. We also will put a focus on strengthening work with families as part of this new initiative. Two of the four positions have been filled (Portland, Lewiston) and we are completing hiring for Augusta and Bangor. We’re excited to see how this level of collaboration could benefit people in a positive way!
- DOL Culture Statement – The Maine DOL has adopted a Cultural Statement. DVR will be focusing on intentional collaboration. We’ll be working on making more of our materials available in other languages.
Cullen: Thank you, Libby!
Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE) - www.maine.gov/doe/learning/specialed - No Update
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Lucas Cuellar: Disability Pride 2024 will take place on July 19th at Mill Park in Augusta. Stay tuned for more information (click here for the flyer).
Cullen: Thank you for being here, Lucas!
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen:
- Tax Package – The House passed its tax package, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R. 7024), at the end of January. The bill now faces a full vote in the Senate. The tax bill includes provisions to expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC), as well as top two top legislative priorities related to affordable housing (also included in the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act that has widespread bipartisan support). The tax bill would do the following for affordable housing:
- Restore the 12.5% allocation increase for nine percent LIHTCs for 2023 to 2025 (about 25% more housing could be created); and
- Lower the 50% bond financing test to 30% for 2024 to 2025 (streamline the ability to create that housing).
- FY 25 Budget – Congress is in the midst of FY 25 budget negotiations. Advocates are requesting the highest funding increases possible for programs related to housing and homelessness, though the FY 25 budget will have to remain within the tight budget caps of the “Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023,” which allows for a spending increase of only 1% in FY25 compared to FY24. On 5/23, House appropriators approved top-line funding allocations that would cut FY 25 funding by 10% for programs covered under the Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD).
- S 570/H.R. 1342, Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2023 – Introduced by Senator Cardin, this bill requires state Medicaid programs to cover dental and oral health services for adults. It also increases the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for such services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must develop oral health quality and equity measures and conduct outreach relating to such coverage. Additionally, the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission must report on specified information relating to adult oral health care.
- S 2767/HR 5408 SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act – This bipartisan, bicameral bill was reintroduced in the Senate and House. The bill will update SSI’s asset limits for the first time since the 1980s to ensure people with disabilities and seniors are able to prepare themselves for a financial emergency without putting the benefits that they rely on to live at risk. After advocacy from Maine Senator Collins signed on to this bill.
- HR 7055 The Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act (EMPSA) – This bill excludes a spouse's income and resources when determining eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and disregards marital status when calculating the SSI benefit amount, for an adult who has a diagnosed intellectual or developmental disability. (SSI is a federal income supplement program designed to help aged, blind, and disabled individuals with limited income and resources meet basic needs.).
- S 1557/ HR 3238 The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act – Senator Angus King cosponsored bipartisan legislation to create nearly two million new affordable homes across the country – including thousands in Maine. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to provide more homes for low-income people, support small businesses trying to attract workers, and fill the state’s gap of more than 20,000 affordable housing units. It appears this bill has strong bipartisan support, increasing its likelihood for passage.
- S 1332 / HR 2941 The Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act – The Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act would give a standard occupational classification to Direct Support Professionals, an important first step toward professionalizing this career and improving salaries and training. The Senate passed this bill the week of 5/6. The House has yet to approve its companion bill.
- S4120 / HR 7994 The Long-term Care Workforce Support Act – This bill would increase FMAP and offer grants to all DSPs and caregivers for the elderly and for people with I/DD and autism. VOR worked with members of the Senate Aging and Disability Policy Committee and other peer organizations to improve this bill from its original form. It is not perfect, and it contains one major flaw to which we continue to object (the permanent reauthorization of the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Demonstration Program) but we will continue to work to improve this bill and remove its flaws.
- HR 7267 Disability Community Act of 2023 – This bill would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide a temporary higher Federal medical assistance percentage for Federal expenditures under the Medicaid program that are associated with the cost of compliance with certain Federal regulations with respect to services furnished in certain intermediate care facilities or home and community-based services furnished to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- S 7302 The Credit for Caregiving Act of 2024 (Sen. Michael Bennett (D-CO)) – This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a nonrefundable credit for working family caregivers. In the case of an eligible caregiver, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to 30 percent of the qualified expenses paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year to the extent that such expenses exceed $2,000. The tax credit does not exceed $5,000 per year.
- HR3380 - HEADs UP Act of 2023 (Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA)) – This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to support health centers that provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities, including dental care. Grant recipients must provide specialized treatment to individuals with developmental disabilities, as necessary.
- HR 553 Workplace Choice and Flexibility for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI-6)) – This bill would amend the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify the definition of competitive integrated employment.
- HR 1296 Restoration of Employment Choice for Adults with Disabilities Act (Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI-6)) – To amend the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure workplace choice and opportunity for young adults with disabilities.
-A self-advocate asked if there has been any legislation pertaining to keeping older adults in their homes versus transferring to nursing homes.
Cullen: I haven’t seen any specific legislation on this either, but we have seen some promising changes. The Section 20 waiver was created because people with cerebral palsy had been languishing in nursing homes. There is movement in a positive direction to ensure people receive the care they need where they’re at, versus having to go to a specific facility to receive that care.
State Legislature Update – No Additional updates.
Other Business: None
The next meeting will be on ***Monday, August 12, 2024*** 12-2:00pm, via Zoom*
Featured Speaker: Bonnie Jean Brooks, Interim Executive Director, Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board (MDSOAB). Topic: 2024 MDSOAB Annual Forum.
***Please note there will not be a meeting in July***
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2024 the October and November meetings will be the 3rd Monday due to the holidays)
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].