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Dan Habib, Project Director and Filmmaker
Dan Habib (pronounced “Habeeb”) is the creator of the award-winning documentary films Including Samuel, Who Cares About Kelsey?, Mr. Connolly Has ALS, and many other short films on disability-related topics. Habib is a filmmaker at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. He now has a new documentary, Intelligent Lives, which examines our society’s narrow perceptions of intelligence. INTELLIGENT LIVES Patriot Cinemas Nickelodeon Cinemas 1 Temple Street, Portland, ME Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 10:00 AM This documentary stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. Academy Award-winning actor and narrator Chris Cooper contextualizes the lives of these central characters through the emotional personal story of his son Jesse, as the film unpacks the shameful and ongoing track record of intelligence testing in the U.S. INTELLIGENT LIVES challenges what it means to be intelligent, and points to a future in which people of all abilities can fully participate in higher education, meaningful employment, and intimate relationships. Tickets - $13.50, deadline January 6, 2019 (a limited number of scholarships are available from Maine Parent Federation, contact (800) 870-7746 for more information) To reserve your ticket go to: https://gathr.us/screening/reserve/26880 Questions? Contact Jodie Hall, Regional Family Support Coordinator, at (207) 841-4129 or Email: jhall@mpf.org. Aucocisco School and Learning Center Winter
Winter Session Announcement Winter session dates Young Adult Social Activities Group Movement, theater games and fun! Thursdays, from January 10 - February 14, 2019 Call Aucocisco School to register or formore information - 773-7323 (Click here for the flyer) Here at STRIVE, we are always looking to respond to unmet community needs and the requests of families and individuals we serve. One of the consistent requests that we have received over the past several years is how can STRIVE, and particularly our STRIVE U Program, serve more people in other parts of our state (and beyond). For the past few months, we have been working on putting together a possible online training opportunity- and we would like your feedback in shaping it further.
Please take a few minutes and provide your thoughts and ideas regarding online training opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. We are in the early stages of working on this exciting project, and your assistance can help us provide quality programming. If you have questions, thoughts, or ideas, and would like to be involved, please contact Pete Brown at pbrown@pslstrive.org. Thank you for your feedback and guidance as we continue to work to provide opportunities in our community. --> Click Here to Complete Our Survey <-- Notice of Agency Rule-making Proposal
AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, MaineCare Services CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: 10-144 C.M.R., Chapter 101, Section 29, Ch. II, Support Services for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: CONCISE SUMMARY: The Department is proposing this routine technical rule in accordance with P.L 2017, ch. 459, An Act Making Certain Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government (“Act”). This Act provides funding to increase rates for specific procedure codes in Chapter III, Section 29. Part B of the Act provided that the Department ensure that caps and limitations on services “are increased to reflect increases in reimbursements that result from this Part.” On September 12, 2018, the Department adopted an emergency major substantive rule for Section 29, Ch. III, as directed in the Act, to increase reimbursement rates for eighteen (18) procedure codes, with a retroactive effective date of July 1, 2018. In accordance with Part B of the Act, the Department is adopting an emergency rule for Chapter II, to increase caps in Section 29 to reflect those rate increases. The emergency rulemaking is effective for 90 days. This proposed rule will adopt these cap increases permanently. The increased caps will be effective retroactive to July 1, 2018. The retroactive application comports with 22 M.R.S. § 42(8), which authorizes the Department to adopt rules with a retroactive application for a period not to exceed eight calendar quarters and there is no adverse financial impact on any MaineCare member or provider. In addition, the Department sought, and obtained approval, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) to submit a waiver amendment making the rate changes retroactive to July 1, 2018. The proposed rule includes the following cap changes: Limits
Provider Qualifications and Requirements
See http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oms/rules/index.shtml for rules and related rulemaking documents. STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 22 M.R.S. §§ 42, 3173; P.L. 2017, ch. 459, Parts A and B PUBLIC HEARING: Date and Time: December 3, 2018, 9:30 a.m. Location: The Marquardt Building, Room 118, Door D7 32 Blossom Lane Augusta, ME 04333 The Department requests that any interested party requiring special arrangements to attend the hearing contact the agency person listed below before November 20, 2018. DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: Comments must be received by 11:59 PM on December 14, 2018. AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Rachel Posner, Comprehensive Health Planner II Rachel.Posner@maine.gov AGENCY NAME: MaineCare Services ADDRESS: 242 State Street, 11 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 TELEPHONE: 207-6246951 FAX: (207) 287-1864 TTY: 711 (Deaf or Hard of Hearing) IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES (if any): The Department anticipates that this rulemaking will not have any impact on municipalities or counties. Action Alert – More information on the rule changes was provided by the Maine Association for Community Service Providers (MACSP) and can be found in the minutes from the 10/15 Coalition meeting.
The Department has moved forward to permanently implement changes to Section 21 and 29, Chapter III to increase rates for in-home support, work support, and community support (click here for the Section 21 proposed rules; click here for the Section 29 proposed rules). The Department is proposing to make the recent rate increases permanent. However, it appears that even with the increase, this leaves direct support professional (DSP) wages only slightly above $11/hour. With minimum wage increasing, by January 2019 this will be barely above minimum wage, and this will be below minimum wage by January 2020. The Department is seeking written comments regarding the rate increases for Section 21 and 29. Written comments are due by 11:59pm on October 20, 2018 to Trista Collins at Trista.Collins@maine.gov. Please take a moment to reach out to the Department to provide your thoughts on the rates and the future of Section 21 and 29 services. To contact the Department, simply email Trista Collins at Trista.Collins@maine.gov and describe how the rates for DSPs have affected you and your family. You could thank the Department for increasing the rates. Some people who have read the rules and have knowledge of the rates have commented that the current system in place for adjusting the rates may not be the best methodology to account for cost of living increases and increases to minimum wage. Whatever you say can be brief. Thank you for raising your voice! The agenda for the 10/15 meeting of the Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services has been uploaded to the website! Click here for the agenda.
Our featured speakers will be Scott Rollins, Assistant Director, and Jennifer Grant, Policy Development Specialist, Maine Department of Transportation (DOT), Bureau of Planning. Topic: Maine’s Long-Range Transportation Plan 2050. Maine DOT is in in midst of creating its Long-Range Transportation Plan, Maine DOT’s effort to document its vision for the future, as well as guidance and insight on the necessary strategies to meet transportation goals over the next 20-30 years. Maine DOT is looking for feedback in order to make this a valuable, relevant plan. The meeting will also feature other important updates, including information about activities in the state and in Washington that will affect housing and services. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you on Monday, 10/15! Click here for the update Maine Disability Campaign Questionnaire, circulated to candidates running for office in 2018, organized/compiled by Disability Voters of Maine (formerly Disability Activists and Allies of Maine).
Maine Association For Community Service Providers (MACSP)
2018 Technology Conference for Inclusiveness & Excellence October 24th and 25th SPACE IS LIMITED! Learn More About Our Keynotes AGENDA OVERVIEW BOOTS ON THE GROUND LEVEL Finding the Right Keys…Opening the Door to an Independent Life!!! and The Future is Now! Hints for Using Apps and Alexa for an Independent Life Alice Brouhard, R.N., Parent Switching it Up! A Rhode Island Success Story Joanne Heffernan, Augmentative Assistive Technology, Amanda Robidoux and Parents; Kerry Birchall, M.Ed., Vision Specialist One Family's Story Dan Habib, Filmmaker; President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities Practical Assistive Technology Connie Melvin & Richard Harrington, Trinity Services Using Technology to Increase Employment Than Johnson, CRSI Assistive Technology for Living & Working Kathy Adams, Maine CITE Overview of Remote Support Technology and Real World Successes Dustin Wright, Rest Assured BACK OFFICE AND EHR LEVEL Innovations at Therap Services: Electronic Billing and Business Intelligence Dashboards Therap Services Simply Home: Best Practices in Assessment & Service and Enabling Technology Cameron Kempson, Simply Home Removing Obstacles: An Innovative EMR System Ashley Dooley, Remarkable Health HIPAA Compliance, Not Compromise and Cybersecurity in the Workplace Scott MacDonald & Michael Campbell, MTG Mission Driven Technology: A Path through the Clutter Le'Ann Milinder, Institute of Professional Practice What is Trending in Agency Workforce Management Kristen Redwine, MiTC POLICY LEVEL Technology Initiatives at the Federal Level Esme Grant Grewal, ANCOR Disabling Segregation - A Family's Fight to Ensure an Inclusive Education for their Son Dan Habib, Filmmaker; President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities Disability Cocoon: Lessons learned, opportunities, challenges, and anticipated regulatory changes in the area of Remote Supports Dustin Wright, Disability Cocoon Status of EVV in Maine Sam Senft, Office of MaineCare Services Across State Lines - Experiences with Technology Than Johnson, CRSI and Le'Ann Milinder, Institute of Professional Practice Policies, Payment, Promotion: Expanding the Use of Technology in Services to Individuals with Disabilities Barb Turner, Former Senior Director of External Affairs, ARRM SPECIAL OFFER (EXTRA FEE) 4 hours Hands-On Assistive Technology Training. All supplies will be provided. Connie Melvin & Richard Harrington, Trinity Services REGISTER NOW $159-$199/person includes two-day conference, continental breakfast, snacks, and lunch each day $69/person optional 4 hour hands-on assistive technology workshop on Day 1 During this hands-on event, attendees will be guided through the process of creating five different pieces of assistive technology using supplies that are available from their local hardware store. All of the supplies needed to build these items will be provided to you. Connie Melvin & Richard Harrington, Trinity Services/ Joliet, Illinois BOOK A ROOM: Block Reserved until 10/2/18 Use code: MAC for discounted rate.Check out MACSP's events page for more information on this rare opportunity to see national speakers here in Maine. http://meacsp.org/macsp-events/ Rule Adoption: Chapter III, Section 21, Allowances for Home and Community Benefits for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder
Notice of Emergency Major Substantive Agency Rule-making Adoption AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services, MaineCare Services CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: 10-144 C.M.R., Chapter 101, Chapter III, Section 21, Allowances for Home and Community Benefits for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder ADOPTED RULE NUMBER: CONCISE SUMMARY: This emergency major substantive rule is adopted in accordance with P.L. 2017, ch. 459, An Act Making Certain Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government (“Act”). The Act gave notice that the Legislature determined that “these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety….” Pursuant to this Legislative determination, the requirements of 5 M.R.S. § 8054(1) are satisfied. The Act provides funding to increase reimbursement rates for specific procedure codes in Chapter III, Section 21. The legislation directed the Department to increase the rates by rulemaking for the specific procedure codes in equal proportion to the funding provided for that purpose. In addition to the 33 rate increases required by P.L. 2017, ch. 459, the Department has also increased the rate for a 34th procedure code – T2017 QC (Home Support, Habilitation, residential, waiver – Remote Support – Monitor only). In accordance with 5 M.R.S. Sec. 8054, the Department has determined that this rate increase needs to be done in this emergency rulemaking for it is necessary to avoid an immediate threat to public health, safety or general welfare. These increased rates will be effective retroactive to July 1, 2018, as directed by the Act. The retroactive application of this rule comports with 22 M.R.S. Sec. 42(8) which authorizes the Department to adopt rules with a retroactive application for a period not to exceed 8 calendar quarters and there is no adverse financial impact on any MaineCare member or provider. In addition, the Department sought, and obtained, approval by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) to be able to submit a waiver amendment that will make the rate increases for these Medicaid waiver services retroactive to July 1, 2018. In creating the increased rates, the Department examined utilization of these services, and then calculated rates to ensure parity between Section 21 and Section 29, to lessen administrative complications for providers. The Maine Legislature has designed the Ch. III, Section 21 regulation as a major substantive rule. Pursuant to 5 M.R.S. §8073, this emergency major substantive rule may be effective for up to twelve 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: September 11, 2018 AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Trista Collins, Comprehensive Health Planner Trista.Collins@maine.gov AGENCY NAME: Division of Policy ADDRESS: 242 State Street, 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 TELEPHONE: (207)-624-4094 FAX: (207) 287-1864 TTY users call Maine relay 711 |
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