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Maine Parent Federation Virtual Family Support Navigator Training
March 1 & 2, 2023 Are you the parent of, or caregiver to, a child with a disability or special health care need? Would you like to share your knowledge and provide peer-to-peer support to other Maine families? If so, this virtual training opportunity may be for you! Maine Parent Federation (MPF) is seeking parents, grandparents, and caregivers to children with disabilities and/or special health care needs who would like to attend this training to become a Family Support Navigator (FSN) and provide peer support to other Maine families. The FSN program matches experienced parents with other parents who need support while learning to navigate systems such as Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, MaineCare, Adult Services, etc., and assists them in locating local and statewide resources while helping parents learn to advocate for themselves. During the Pandemic all support was provided through phone, text, email, and social media platforms such as Zoom. Now that restrictions are easing if both parent and Navigator agree, meetings can be held in-person. As a parent who has been involved with MPF in the past, we are contacting you to see if you would like to use your skills and knowledge to support other families. A Family Support Navigator is a part-time independent consultant position. MPF contracts with you to provide up to 10 hours of support to each family you help. We pay $15.00 per hour for direct support to a family, provide a $40 monthly stipend for phone/internet when actively working with families, and .46 cents per mile travel reimbursement. This is a flexible opportunity where you set your own hours/schedule. MPF provides on-going supervision and technical assistance. This virtual training over zoom will be held on Wednesday, March 1 from 9:00 AM to Noon, and Thursday, March 2 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. There will be four other pre-recorded segments to the training that you can complete at your convenience. Once you have completed the 10-hour virtual training we will provide you with a $150 stipend. Please contact Deborah Newcombe at (800) 870-7746 or E-mail: dnewcombe@mpf.org to receive an application and job description and to answer any questions. OADS to Implement the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS-A) Needs Assessments Mid-Spring 2023, with Vendor, Maximus
Review Program Details and Learn How Members and Their Supports Can Be Paid for Participation in Training Assessments The State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) will be starting a new needs assessment process. This will affect all Section 21 and 29 members. This assessment is needed for members who want to participate in the new “A Path for ME” Lifespan Waiver. This waiver is planned for 2025. These assessments will be performed by new State partner, Maximus. Training assessments will begin in mid-February. Later there will be a launch in Mid-Spring 2023. Why is this new assessment important for you? Information gathered from the assessment will help you plan. With the plan, you can reach your goals. Volunteer for a paid “A Path for ME” SIS training assessment We are asking Section 21 and 29 members, to help train new assessors in Maine. We will need two support people for the training. These people should have known you for more than three months. They can be family members, friends, direct support, or staff. And they can be from residential or day service providers. The community case manager should attend. Helping with the training is voluntary, but if you do, you will be paid for your time. Timeline: These training assessments will take place February 1 through March 15, 2023. Assessment details: The assessment typically takes 2-3 hours. Participants should set aside 3 hours. These will be conducted remotely. Payment is available for helping with training. Members and individuals who volunteer are each eligible to receive a $100.00 prepaid gift card. Volunteers must attend for the entire training session. Paid support staff do not qualify for the stipend. Members – click here to volunteer. Please note that a training assessment can't be used for an official assessment. Learn more about “A Path for ME” assessments Stakeholders were invited to attend a recent orientation session. That session was held earlier in December 2022 and hosted by OADS. The session provided an overview of “A Path for ME” SIS-A assessment. If you were unable to attend, you can review the presentation. Orientation to "A Path for ME" SIS-A Assessment - December 2022 (PowerPoint) For more information: Bookmark and check the web below for updates and helpful resources: A Path for ME SIS-A Implementation Email about “A Path for ME” assessments: OADS.NAproject@maine.gov Sign up for the Maximus – “A Path for ME” Assessments Mailing List OADS will provide you with updated information in the weeks ahead. Those interested can also sign up for the Maximus mailing list. That list will provide updates and information on new program resources. To sign up for the mailing list, email Maine-SIS@maximus.com. Use the subject line, “Add me to ‘A Path for ME’ assessments member mailing list.” About Maximus Maximus works with state, federal and local governments across the country. They administer complex programs. These programs provide people with the care and resources to improve their lives. One program is their current management the Assessment Services Agency (ASA) for the State of Maine. This program is an integrated service for assisting individuals across a range of support services. Reposted from the DHHS Website
Click here to view the Blog Post on the DHHS website Governor Mills’ Budget Proposal Supports Access and Innovation in Services for Maine People with Intellectual Disabilities January 19, 2023 Governor Janet Mills’ biennial budget proposes $84 million to support access and innovation in services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and brain injury. The proposed funding addresses access by adding individuals to Maine’s IDD programs and keeping pace with inflation through additional cost-of-living rate adjustments. The budget promotes innovation with a new Lifespan program that simplifies and centers the program on the people it serves and their changing needs and plans. Initiatives include:
Lifespan: A Program for a Lifetime Lifespan is one of three system improvement prongs that the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) is implementing under A Path for ME, an initiative to improve and transform how services are delivered to people with IDD. The second prong is a robust identification of needs using the Supports Intensity Scale, a nationally validated and reliable tool used in several other states. Individuals enrolling in Lifespan will have an assessment and the person-centered planning team will use information from the assessment to develop an individualized service plan. The third prong is innovation. Lifespan recognizes that individuals with disabilities each have their own paths, and services must be flexible and responsive in order to support those paths. To that end, OADS is using one-time federal funding to stimulate innovation through a grant-making initiative. The first round of grants, issued this month, includes projects that expand the use of technology and remote support; promote employment and financial independence; enhance supports for individuals with exceptional medical or behavioral needs, and offer alternative residential options. Grantees will receive technical support from the National Disability Institute (NDI), and projects will be assessed for effectiveness in real time, with the most promising innovations to be folded into Lifespan. Currently, individuals with IDD can experience abrupt and confusing transitions as they move from children’s services to adult services. Typically, they begin receiving adult supports through Section 29, Maine’s supportive services waiver, and place their names on the Section 21 wait list in anticipation of needing the more intensive services offered by Section 21 in the future. Lifespan will enroll individuals earlier (at age 14), enabling the development of a life plan and making the transition to adulthood smoother. If needs become more intensive, different services can be accessed without changing programs. Lifespan would:
Stakeholder Engagement OADS began planning for Lifespan in September 2022 with the first of five stakeholder feedback sessions. Stakeholders expressed strong support for Lifespan and for participation in an advisory committee that includes individuals with disabilities, family members, advocates, and providers. OADS is leading the work, collaborating closely with the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS). Lifespan will be created as a Medicaid (MaineCare) waiver program, making the Office of MaineCare Services (OMS) a key partner as well. DHHS will also be working closely with the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) and the Department of Education. Broader Improvements to Home- and Community-Based Services The Mills Administration has made historic investments to improve home- and community-based services (HCBS) for older Mainers and people with IDD through the budget as well as new federal funds. The biennial budget for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 invested $90.6 million to increase MaineCare rates for HCBS waiver services for older adults and people with disabilities and brain injury. The supplemental budget added another $68.5 million, for a combined investment of $159.1 million. The HCBS cost-of-living rate increases that took effect January 1, 2023, included an additional $19 million to keep up with higher than projected inflation, bringing the total for the current biennium to $178.1 million. In addition to these ongoing investments, the Department is implementing its HCBS Improvement Plan with over $240 million in one-time federal funding made available specifically for this purpose through the American Rescue Plan Act. As of December 2022, $132 million has been invested from the plan, with most of the funds supporting bonuses to direct support workers. In addition to the bonuses, in September 2022, group home providers received a one-time payment of $6 million to address continuing COVID-related staffing challenges, and providers subject to the federal HCBS settings rule received $5 million in remediation grants to help bring their programs into compliance. In addition to supporting payment improvements, the Mills Administration has worked with the Legislature to expand access to HCBS waiver services with an expansion of the number of individuals added to these services. Each year since 2019, the Governor has supported increased funding to provide greater access to waiver services. New preliminary data shows that as a result, the number of adults with IDD receiving support for residential services through MaineCare jumped 46 percent between State Fiscal Year 2017 and July 1, 2022. This was possible through an expansion of shared living, a family-style living situation that affords opportunities for individuals with IDD to become a member of the household, a family, and their local communities. Staffing challenges caused group homes to decline slightly in the same period, underscoring how important it is to offer a range of options to ensure resiliency of the service system in emergencies. ATTENTION: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Providers(Sections 18, 19, 20, 21, & 29)
OADS welcomes provider engagement in monthly HCBS meetings regarding our work moving towards HCBS compliance. Please mark your calendars for the last Wednesday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., for upcoming monthly meetings to be held: January 25, 2023 February 22, 2023 March 29, 2023 April 26, 2023 May 31, 2023 June 28, 2023 July 26, 2023 August 30, 2023 September 27, 2023 October 25, 2023 November 29, 2023 December 27, 2023 Please use the following Zoom meeting information: Join Zoom Meeting: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/84039843115?pwd=L2NSb1NiRllCd0RyaHhSWnVrNTRHUT09 Meeting ID: 840 3984 3115 Passcode: 27418898 Dial by your location +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) Find your local number: https://mainestate.zoom.us/u/klgRvhM1T Two new reports about direct care workers - one to the Maine legislature and one national one with state profiles and recommended policy strategies
Autism Society of Maine is hiring!
Please see the job description for the two open positions below: Autism Information Specialist Coordinator Position The Autism Society of Maine is looking for an initiative-taking individual to coordinate our Autism Information Specialist program. We want the individual to help expand the program. We have flexible hours, offer 401 K, holidays, and competitive salary. Full time position (35 hours) – Both in office (Winthrop) and home based Job requires knowledge of statewide services for special needs children and adults, knowledge of autism preferred, good phone skills, multi-tasking, organizational skills, ability to work independently, meet deadlines, follow directions, data base skills (Access), Microsoft word, excel, and light to moderate lifting. Interested candidates please mail or email a cover letter and a resume to: Autism Society of Maine Executive Director 72 B Main Street Winthrop, ME 04364 or asm@asmonline.org Community Outreach Liaison The Autism Society of Maine (ASM) is looking for a knowledgeable candidate for an exciting position. Job will include attending legislative hearings, following rule and policy changes, representing ASM in stakeholder meetings, and media interviews. Working with ASM Board of Directors legislative committee. Part time 25 hours per week. Work from home. The position requires a demonstrated understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder, knowledgeable about legislation process, excellent verbal and written communication skills. Interested candidates please mail a cover letter and resume to: Autism Society of Maine Executive Director 72B Main Street Winthrop, ME 04364 Or send resume to asm@asmonline.org Maine Parent Federation Upcoming 2023 Virtual Family Support Navigator Training Opportunity1/11/2023
Maine Parent Federation
Virtual Family Support Navigator Training March 1 & 2, 2023 Are you the parent of, or caregiver to, a child with a disability or special health care need? Would you like to share your knowledge and provide peer-to-peer support to other Maine families? If so, this virtual training opportunity may be for you! Maine Parent Federation (MPF) is seeking parents, grandparents, and caregivers to children with disabilities and/or special health care needs who would like to attend this training to become a Family Support Navigator (FSN) and provide peer support to other Maine families. The FSN program matches experienced parents with other parents who need support while learning to navigate systems such as Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, MaineCare, Adult Services, etc., and assists them in locating local and statewide resources while helping parents learn to advocate for themselves. During the Pandemic all support was provided through phone, text, email, and social media platforms such as Zoom. Now that restrictions are easing if both parent and Navigator agree, meetings can be held in-person. As a parent who has been involved with MPF in the past, we are contacting you to see if you would like to use your skills and knowledge to support other families. A Family Support Navigator is a part-time independent consultant position. MPF contracts with you to provide up to 10 hours of support to each family you help. We pay $15.00 per hour for direct support to a family, provide a $40 monthly stipend for phone/internet when actively working with families, and .46 cents per mile travel reimbursement. This is a flexible opportunity where you set your own hours/schedule. MPF provides on-going supervision and technical assistance. This virtual training over zoom will be held on Wednesday, March 1 from 9:00 AM to Noon, and Thursday, March 2 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. There will be four other pre-recorded segments to the training that you can complete at your convenience. Once you have completed the 10-hour virtual training we will provide you with a $150 stipend. Please contact Deborah Newcombe at (800) 870-7746 or E-mail: dnewcombe@mpf.org to receive an application and job description and to answer any questions. PSL/STRIVE is hosting a Parent Session: Building a Team Thursday, January 26, 2023 39 Darling Ave. South Portland, ME 6:30pm-8:00pm Our TOPS Transition team is offering a parent session, intended for parents of young adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. The session will focus on resources and strategies for building a collaborative team during the transition process. Betsy Morrison 207-879-0847 bmorrison@pslstrive.org www.pslstrive.org PSL Services/STRIVE assists people with emotional and intellectual disabilities to live with dignity and respect as active members of our community. They offer a wide range of services. Visit the website to learn more about Community Supports, Case Management, and Employment Opportunities. Bell Evaluation and Education Consulting has been contracted by Partnerships For Health (PFH) through the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) to conduct an evaluation to better understand decision-making practices, including guardianship, among individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Maine.
As part of the evaluation, Bell Evaluation and Education Consulting is implementing this survey to assess current practices in Maine and capture the perspectives of people with lived experience. This includes individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, their parents and family members, and guardians. Your participation in the survey will help inform the development of resources and supportive materials that may help people in their guardianship role. The survey will be open until January 31, 2023. Click here to start the survey: https://umassamherst.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3l3Ca7CT07rENuu If you have any questions, please contact Bev Bell at bjmbell@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your participation! Attention Providers of Section 18, 19, 20, 21, and 29 Services: Appendix K to Maine’s Home and Community Based Waivers Continues to Provide Temporary Flexibilities on Service Caps, Staffing
Appendix K to Maine’s Home and Community-Based Services 1915(c) waivers provides the state certain flexibilities in waiver program operations during an emergency. Maine’s Appendix K and amendments may be found here. Section K-2.b.ii. of Maine’s Appendix K, which allows service caps to be exceeded and group home staffing to be lower than authorized levels, was originally set to expire on May 31, 2020. Due to continuing need related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department has extended this provision 10 times, most recently through December 31, 2022. At this time, given ongoing challenges related to COVID-19 throughout Maine, the Department will continue to provide flexibility under Section K-2.b.ii through March 31, 2023. Beginning October 1, 2022, the Department has allowed staffing in Section 21 group homes to be no lower than 80% of authorized levels, provided that the health and safety of residents can be maintained. The Department is maintaining this requirement through March 31, 2023. The Department is monitoring workforce conditions closely and will make decisions about April 1, 2023 staffing levels In March. Questions on use of Appendix K flexibilities may be sent to OADS@maine.gov. |
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