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The Brain Injury Association of America’s Maine Chapter, under contract with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (“the Department”), has engaged Koné Consulting to conduct a Needs Assessment of MaineCare funded brain injury services and supports, to include all other public and privately sourced funding opportunities.
They have developed two online surveys to gather input from people with brain injury, their family members, caregivers, and service providers. This is an opportunity to share experiences that will provide needed insight for the Department’s direction of efforts to strengthen Maine’s system of brain injury services and supports. It will be great to have strong participation and we are asking for your help to disseminate the survey links. Please share this email with your list servs and through any other method that gets these survey links to those with brain injury experiences and perspectives to share. And encourage your networks to pass this opportunity along. Survey Links: Below is the link for people with brain injury, their caregivers and family. It should take approximately 30 minutes and includes an opportunity to enter a random drawing for a $100 Visa gift card. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MaineBrainInjurySurvey - Below is the link for service providers and other interested parties. It should take approximately 20 minutes. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MaineBrainInjuryProviders We ask for completion of the survey by Wednesday, April 28th. If you need to request a paper survey or seek support in assisting groups of people in completing this survey, please contact Karin Ellis at Karin.ellis@koneconsulting.com. If you have other questions about this survey, please contact Sarah Jordan at BIAA-ME (sjordan@biausa.org). Please stay tuned for focus groups, which will be the next step in this process. Thank you so much for supporting the success of these efforts! Elizabeth Hardink, LSW Brain Injury and Other Related Conditions Waiver Services Specialist Office of Aging and Disability Services Department of Health and Human Services 41 Anthony Avenue Augusta, ME 04330 Elizabeth.hardink@maine.gov Telephone: 207-287-4207 Fax: 207-287-9229 TTY: Users call Maine relay 711 OHI Drive-Up COVID-19 Vaccine Pop-Up Clinic For Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, Autism and Brain Injury and their Families and Caregivers WHERE: OHI Parking Lot: 203 Maine Avenue, Bangor WHEN: First Vaccination Date: Friday, April 16th, 8:00AM to 12:30PM Second Vaccination Date: Friday, May 14th from 8:00AM to 12:00PM VACCINE TYPE: Moderna HOW TO SCHEDULE: Call Community Vaccination Line: (888) 445-4111 Monday-Friday 7:00AM to 7:00PM Or Saturday-Sunday 8:00AM to 2:00PM *** Ask to be scheduled for this OHI drive up clinic when you call ***  MaineCare Notice of Agency Emergency Rule-making Adoption, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 29, Allowances for Support Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Notice of Agency Rule-making Adoption AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: 10-144 C.M.R., Chapter 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 29, Allowances for Support Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: CONCISE SUMMARY: The Department is adopting this emergency major substantive rule in accordance with P.L. 2019, ch. 616, Part A, Sec. A-7, An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The Act provides funding to increase reimbursement rates for specific procedure codes in Chapter III, Section 29, Allowances for Support Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Department has determined that these rate increases are necessary to avoid an immediate threat to public health, safety or general welfare. The Department’s findings of an emergency are as follows: delivery of Medicaid services is predicated on an adequate provider pool to treat and meet the unique needs of the most vulnerable populations of members, and the increases will seek to ensure reimbursement rates are adequate to provide members with access to important services through an adequate provider pool. The emergency major substantive rule increases the rates with a retroactive application date of January 1, 2021 for four (4) services including: Supported Employment Services, Career Planning Services, Employment Specialist Services, and Home Support-Quarter Hour Services. The Maine Legislature has authorized the Department to adopt rules with a retroactive application where the Department has determined that the change does not have an adverse financial impact on any MaineCare provider or Member. 42 M.R.S. § 42(8). Here, the rule change is a positive change for the providers. This emergency major substantive rule is effective upon adoption and filing with the Secretary of State. Pursuant to 5 M.R.S. § 8054 (3), this emergency major substantive rule may be effective for up 12 months, or until the Legislature has completed its review. The Department intends to proceed with major substantive rulemaking, which will be provisionally adopted, and then submitted to the Legislature for its review. http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oms/rules/index.shtml for rules and related rulemaking documents. EFFECTIVE DATE: April 7, 2021 AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Heather Bingelis, Comprehensive Health Planner AGENCY NAME: Division of Policy ADDRESS: 109 Capitol Street, 11 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 EMAIL: heather.bingelis@maine.gov TELEPHONE: (207)-624-6951 FAX: (207) 287-6106 TTY users call Maine relay 711 MaineCare Notice of Agency Emergency Rule-making Adoption, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 21, Allowances for Home and Community Benefits for Members with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Notice of Agency Rule-making Adoption AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: 10-144 C.M.R., Chapter 101, MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 21, Allowances for Home and Community Benefits for Members with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: CONCISE SUMMARY: The Department is adopting this emergency major substantive rule in accordance with P.L. 2019, ch. 616, Part A, Sec. A-7, An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The Act provides funding to increase reimbursement rates for specific procedure codes in Chapter III, Section 21, Allowances for Home and Community Benefits for Members with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Department has determined that these rate increases are necessary to avoid an immediate threat to public health, safety, or general welfare. The Department’s findings of an emergency are as follows: Delivery of Medicaid services is predicated on an adequate provider pool to treat and meet the unique needs of the most vulnerable populations of members; and The increases will seek to ensure reimbursement rates are adequate to provide members with access to important services through an adequate provider pool. The emergency major substantive rule increases the rates effective January 1, 2021 for four (4) services: Supported Employment Services, Career Planning Services, Employment Specialist Services, and Home Support-Quarter Hour Services. The Maine Legislature has authorized the Department to adopt rules with a retroactive application where the Department has sought CMS approval for such changes, and where the change does not have an adverse financial impact on any MaineCare provider or Member. 42 M.R.S. 42(8). This emergency major substantive rule is effective upon adoption and filing with the Secretary of State. Pursuant to 5 M.R.S. § 8054 (3), this emergency major substantive rule may be effective for up to 12 months, or until the Legislature has completed its review. The Department intends to proceed with major substantive rulemaking, which will be provisionally adopted, and then submitted to the Legislature for its review. http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oms/rules/index.shtml for rules and related rulemaking documents. EFFECTIVE DATE: April 7, 2021 AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Heather Bingelis, Comprehensive Health Planner AGENCY NAME: Division of Policy ADDRESS: 109 Capitol Street, 11 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 EMAIL: heather.bingelis@maine.gov TELEPHONE: (207)-624-6951 FAX: (207) 287-6106 TTY users call Maine relay 711 Community Supports Transformation
Webinar Sessions Thursday, April 29 & Tuesday, May 4, 2021 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (EST) Through policy and funding changes, Maine is shifting community support services for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities away from center-based services. Join us to learn from providers in Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania as they share the how-tos of their transformation away from center-based services. Presenters will share and discuss their specific service structure, change process, lessons learned, barriers conquered, rate methodology changes, and service offerings across various needs. The webinar is intended for anyone working directly or indirectly with adults with IDD or Autism. Recommended attendance: DSP, BHP, PSS, CNA, trainers, social workers, managers, family members, guardians. Registration covers both sessions! MACSP or ANCOR Member: $49 Non-MACSP Member: $59 Register Today! April 29th SESSION PRESENTERS Barry Simon, President & CEO, Oak Hill, Connecticut Jean Menning, Executive Director, Exceptional Opportunities, Inc., Iowa Karen Lee, Executive Director Supporting Employment Equality and Community, Maryland May 4th SESSION PRESENTERS will be announced soon! Register Here! Registration covers both sessions! MACSP or ANCOR Member: $49 Non-MACSP Member: $59 Maine Association for Community Service Providers PO Box 149 Hallowell, ME 04347-0149 Today, the Maine Children’s Alliance released the latest edition of the Maine KIDS COUNT® Data Book, the most comprehensive data on the status and well-being of children in Maine. The Maine Children’s Alliance is the KIDS COUNT® partner for Maine, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic downturn have created serious concerns about the immediate and long-term impacts on children and families. It has also reminded us that our health and well-being are interconnected. Now more than ever, the Maine Children’s Alliance is committed to providing data to inform policy and advocacy to support the health and well-being of children and families. In this year's Data Book, where possible, 2020 data is displayed, demonstrating the impact of the pandemic. Other times, the latest available data is 2019, which may be used as a baseline before the public health crisis. The 2021 Maine KIDS COUNT Data Book serves as a resource for how children and families are being impacted by the pandemic, and includes indicators highlighting disparities by race, geography, and income. Visit our website to learn more and download your copy today! Please contact Helen Hemminger at hhemminger@mekids.org to request a presentation of this report. If you would like to receive a printed book, please email: mainekids@mekids.org ACL/CMS Webinar:
Forming Strategic Partnerships Between Housing, Medicaid HCBS Payers, and Community-Based Services April 22, 2021; 3:00 - 4:30 pm Eastern Register Now Webinar Description Despite an unprecedented shortage of affordable and accessible housing, today many low-income older adults and people with disabilities in congregate and institutional settings urgently need to transition to affordable and accessible housing in the community. This webinar provides strategies and best practices to form partnerships between housing, Medicaid HCBS payers, and community-based services to successfully address housing challenges. These partnerships can enable stakeholders to leverage the unprecedented influx of COVID related funding (CARES Act, Omnibus, and American Rescue/Recovery Plan) for rental assistance and pre/post housing related services and supports, ensuring Medicaid HCBS beneficiaries are housed securely and can actively participate in their community. Panelists
The webinar will be recorded. If you are interested in the webinars and cannot attend, please register using the link above. We will send you the recording link via email. About this webinar series The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) host a monthly webinar series that invites subject matter experts and practitioners from across the home-and-community-based services (HCBS) continuum to share insights and best practices to develop high quality HCBS programs and services. Questions? Email HCBSSTPHelpdesk@neweditions.net  Join us for a meeting on supporting LDA of Maine! May 4th, 7:00 pm LDA is seeking interested parents, educators, school psychologists, and advocates to participate in an informational meeting about supporting the growth and capacity of LDA's state affiliate in Maine! Join the meeting to learn about the benefits of having an active LDA state affiliate and learn about the supports that LDA of America provides our state affiliates. Help us enhance the capacity of a Maine state affiliate to help individuals with learning disabilities through support, education, and advocacy. RSVP to Aaron Goldstein at agoldstein@ldaamerica.org to receive a Zoom meeting invitation Forwarded Action Alert:
Though the Public Hearing has already been held, you can still contact Members of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee in Support of LD 552, An Act To Strengthen the Individualized Education Program Process. Bill summary: This bill requires that changes to the individualized education program for a child with a disability be made by consensus of the individualized education program team. The bill also requires that the individualized education program team allow a person who provides special education services to a child with a disability through regular and direct contact to participate in a team meeting concerning that child upon the request of the individual or the request of a member of the team. Finally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Education to submit proposed changes to the rules governing special education to the Legislature by January 1, 2022 to amend the rules to conform with the provisions of the bill. SAMPLE LETTER: Dear Rep/Sen ________ I am writing as the parent of a son/daughter with special needs to ask you to support LD 552 An Act To Strengthen the Individualized Education Program Process. LD 552 requires that changes to a child's individualized education program may be made only with the consensus of the IEP team; in other words, with a parent’s consent. If the team is unable to reach consensus on proposed changes, the IEP in effect at the time of the proposed changes remains in effect. Either party can then request mediation or other dispute resolution. Under current law, Maine school districts may make material changes to a student’s IEP without the parents’ consent as long as they provide parents with prior written notice of the changes. If the parents disagree with the school district’s proposals, they have to initiate a costly and difficult due process hearing. LD 552 improves the IEP process by ensuring that every expert at that table has a voice – including parents and the educators who work most closely with the student. It does this simply – by assuring that plans can’t change without agreement. In fact, at least 12 states require parental consent, or consensus, before changes are made to a student’s IEP. The bill also requires that the IEP team allow an ed tech, who provides services to a child on a regular basis and who often knows the child best, to participate in a team meeting if a parent or other team member requests it. Thank you for your consideration, ________ You can use the sample letter above as a template, and fill in relevant information and tell your own story. Then you can simply email it to Members of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee at the email addresses listed below:
Thank you for taking action! (Please note where it says comments are closed below it refers to comments on this post and on this website not comments on the bill). Don't miss this Friday's SMACT presentation tomorrow by Zoom at 1:00! See the flyer for more information. The Zoom link is below. We hope to see you there! ‘Advocacy and Self-Advocacy for Youth in Transition’ This informative presentation ‘Advocacy and Self-Advocacy for Youth in Transition’ will feature Katrina Ringrose and Foxfire Buck from Disability Rights Maine (DRM) and Laurie Coldwell from Speaking Up for Us (SUFU). Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97277230285?pwd=TTlaNkFnM3lOek8zejlzbDQ1dVpNdz09 Meeting ID: 972 7723 0285 Passcode: yamjqgQC3O Powerpoints for the meeting are posted on our website home page: https://sites.google.com/portlandschools.org/smact |
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