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NH-ME LEND
Please join us for our annual spring conference, sponsored by NH-ME LEND, BANDS (Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental Services) at Dartmouth Health, and the Northeast Regional LEND Consortium. When It Comes to Autism, Can We Reconcile the Medical and Social Models of Disability? Join the virtual conference: Monday, May 8, 2023 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. The conference will focus on two different perspectives of autism: the medical model and the social model. The medical model views autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder that requires medical treatment and recognition, particularly for those with severe forms of autism. The social model considers autism to be a natural variation of human ability and identity that should be celebrated and accommodated like any other identity. Register Representative lectures from each viewpoint will be featured, offering insight into their unique approaches and understanding of autism. The lectures will be followed by a moderated panel discussion, during which experts will highlight the strengths and limitations of each perspective and explore potential ways to reconcile these differing viewpoints. Learning outcome(s): At the conclusion of this learning activity, (at least 75% of) participants will be able to apply the principles of both the social and medical model of autism spectrum disorder in the management of the care of children, adolescents and young adults. DHHS-OADS: Attention Section 29 and 21 Waitlist members, and family/guardians, and support staff3/23/2023
3/21/2023
Attention Section 29 and 21 Waitlist members, and family/guardians, and support staff: OADS is excited to announce the planning for new innovative services options. You may have heard about it. We are calling it the Lifespan Waiver, as a new ‘Path for ME’ for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or autism. We would like waitlist members of Sections 21 and 29 and/or those providing support to these waitlist members, to inform the design the of program. Your comments will be very helpful to us. To receive your comments, we have designed a survey. We hope you will take a few minutes to complete it. There are two ways to take the survey.
We will be receiving comments until 5PM on April 7, 2023, so it will be important to do this as soon as you can. Thank you so much!
For more information about the Lifespan Project and the other projects that may affect you, please visit the following web pages: Learn more about the Lifespan Project in Maine: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/about-us/initiatives/hcbs-lifespan-project Learn more about the SIS-A in Maine: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/about-us/initiatives/needs-assessment-implementation-project Learn more about many of our new projects at OADS: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/about-us/initiatives “A Path for ME” SIS-A Updates and Question and Answer Sessions
Assessments for Sections 21 and 29 Please join the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) and Maximus, our “A Path for ME” assessment vendor. The session will offer updates and question and answer time. The sessions will focus on the Supports Intensity Scale for Adults 2nd Edition (SIS-A) needs assessments. These needs assessments will be for Sections 21 and 29 members and those on the waitlists. They will be required for participation in the developing ‘Lifespan Waiver’. We invite you to attend these sessions to learn about the SIS-A in Maine. There will also be time for attendees to ask questions. There are three sessions scheduled. These will be held on the 2nd Thursday of each month for April, May, and June. These sessions will be held on Zoom from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (one hour). Additional sessions will be added in the future. All attendees are required to register for each session using the links below. A link to join the Zoom session will be sent to your email after you have registered. You are welcome to attend any or all sessions. April 13 from 4 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcld-CupjguEtbxZKEJaCs64NC8kkaDEBWE May 11 from 4 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkc-6rrz0pEtRgt5YHjYvE84VR88ZkaV0p June 8 from 4 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrf-qoqzspHd2o9NP0Bq6wUNhWSkddN6zR If you need an accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART) or American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at miranda.whalen@maine.gov. The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act would raise the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) asset limit to $10,000 for individuals/$20,000 for couples. The legislation also adjusts those numbers based on inflation every year. This will allow SSI recipients to maintain modest savings to pay for emergencies and other unexpected expenses when they arise. Senator Collins cosponsored the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act in the previous Congress, and per reports is considering signing on this year. Also, according to national organizations advocating for people with disabilities, including ID/DD, this effort would benefit from the Senator hearing from members of the disability community in Maine. If raising the SSI asset limit would be beneficial to you or someone you care about, please consider reaching out to the Senator and asking her to co-sponsor this important legislation. You can contact the Senator by clicking this link, filling out your contact information to easily end an email via the Senator’s website.
Thank you for taking action! On 3/20 at 11 am the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will hold a public hearing on LD 464, An Act to Eliminate Waiting Lists for Community-based Services for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Brain Injury or Other Related Conditions, and LD 659, An Act to Promote Seamless and Flexible Home and Community Supports Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities or Autism.
LD 464 would eliminate the wait lists for MaineCare Section 21 (the comprehensive waiver), Section 29 (the supports waiver), Section 18 (brain injury waiver), and Section 20 (other related. conditions). It would also eliminate the wait lists for state-funded elder services (Chapter 5, Section 63, and Chapter 11). This bill would go well beyond the biennial budget, which would eliminate only the Section 29 wait list. LD 659 would establish a waiver to provide services to people regardless of their level of need. It also: Establishes a stakeholder group to advise on design and implementation (which is already up and running); and establishes goals for the Lifespan waiver. If you support LD 464 and/or LD 659 you can submit testimony in person, in writing, and/or via zoom. To testify:
If you checked the ‘testify via zoom’ link then you’ll get a zoom link emailed to you. On hearing day you’ll be able to attend as a participant (who can’t talk or turn camera on) until shortly before it’s your turn to testify. When it’s your turn, they’ll “promote” you to a “participant”. Your zoom might look like you’ve lost the connection just momentarily, but then you’ll reappear as a regular participant who can unmute, turn on camera, etc. And you can tell the committee what you think about LD 464. (Senator Baldacci, Representative Meyer, and Distinguished members of the HHS Committee) If you would like to submit testimony for both bills you will have to go back to https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/ and fill out the form separately and select the other LD number radio button. Thank you for raising your voice and taking action! Aging and Disability CONNECTIONS Newsletter
Director’s Message Governor Mills’ Budget Proposal Boosts Funding for Older Adults, Individuals with Disabilities Governor Mills has delivered her proposed budget to the Legislature for the two-year period that begins July 1, 2023, and it includes significant increases for older adults and individuals with disabilities. The proposal includes $169 million in new investments to promote healthy aging, including several high-priority items from the Elder Justice Roadmap, developed by a private-public partnership to address abuse, neglect and exploitation among older adults. The Elder Justice package includes funding for the Elder Service Connections program, operated by the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine to connect Adult Protective Services clients to services and facilitate meaningful changes in their lives. The package also includes more funding for civil legal services as increasing numbers of older adults face eviction proceedings in Maine’s tight housing market. The budget proposal also expands the capacity of Adult Protective Services. The Governor’s budget also promotes sustainable living, a key theme emerging from the Cabinet on Aging. This includes a significant investment of state funds in home delivered meals to ensure that a million meals per year can continue to be delivered as one-time federal COVID-19 funding tapers. It also includes funding to expand home based care and significant rate increases for a range of home and community based supports, including adult day centers, assisted living and supports to people living in apartment settings. The budget also includes funding for Area Agencies on Aging to expand information and assistance through their Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Finally, the budget proposal includes significant additional funding for nursing homes, including the Maine Veteran’s Homes. The proposed budget also includes $84 million to expand access and promote innovation in programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This includes funding to serve 900 more people in the Section 29 waiver program, which will eliminate that program’s waiting list and keep up with new applicants. It also includes funding to ensure ongoing availability of reserve capacity in Section 21 for individuals with priority 1 needs. The budget also includes funding for rate increases in all of Maine’s waiver programs, including Section 18 for individuals with brain injury and Section 20 for individuals with other related conditions. As she noted in her budget address to the Legislature, the Governor also included funding to implement a new Lifespan waiver program beginning January 1, 2025, and enroll 540 individuals in the final six months of the biennium. Lifespan will expand eligibility of waiver services to children with intellectual disabilities beginning at age 14, and will have a flexible service design that will enable individuals to change the supports they receive as their needs change over time. Once Lifespan is operating, individuals will no longer need to start services in one program while getting on a waiting list in anticipation of changing future needs. Lifespan is expected to include several service innovations currently being tested as part of recent innovation grants made by the Department (story below). You can find more information on Lifespan here. The Department has proposed a companion bill, LD 659, which articulates the program’s goals and its relationship to existing programs. Governor Mills’ budget proposals will enable significant progress to continue for older adults and individuals with disabilities in Maine. Public hearings on the budget occurred in February and deliberations are now underway. ~Paul Saucier, Director Direct Care and Support Professional Advisory Council The Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) established the Direct Care and Support Advisory Council with funding from the Maine Health Access Foundation (MEHAF) and funds available under section 9817 of the American Rescue Plan, in partnership with the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS). The mission of the Council is to bring direct care and direct support professionals together to create a strong voice to inform policy makers about the issues that are important to them. Current Council members span across the state and in various long-term support and care settings. They are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), Personal Support Specialists (PSS), and Direct Support Professionals (DSP). Additionally, Council members represent the diversity of Maine’s essential workers. Since the creation of the Council, members have met with OADS staff to learn about workforce initiatives and legislation that provided funding to increase wages. Representatives from the Maine Women’s Lobby met with members to discuss the Family Medical Leave Act. Council members participated in the Caring for Maine campaign and served on a panel for the Maine Association of Community Services Providers. Recently, Council members participated in a presentation before the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services. Additional information about the Council’s work is available here. Maine Ranks 4th in Direct Care Workforce In a recent report comparing Direct Care Workforce efforts Maine is excited to have placed fourth in the nation! The Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI) created a Direct Care Workforce State Index, designed to help policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders understand how states support direct care workers, where they can improve, and how they compare to other states. These results are in part due to the coordinated efforts of the Governor’s Office, the Department of Labor, Maine’s Community Colleges, the University of Maine System and DHHS. Maine’s efforts to improve the direct support workforce are summarized in a report recently released by the Department, Second Annual Report on Efforts and Progress in Implementing the Recommendations of the Commission to Study Long-term Care Workforce Issues. The report provides an update of activities including payment increases, recruitment campaigns, education and training assistance, self-direction, curricula and credentials work and more. Although workforce shortages continue to constrain services, year-over-year data in the report show modest increases in services from 2021 to 2022. Report highlights can be found here. Tribal State Collaboration Act The Tribal State Collaboration Act of 2022 aims to promote respectful, government-to-government dialogue and communication between Maine’s state agencies and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, and the Penobscot Nation. The Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to engage in a tribal collaboration process regarding contemplated programs, rules or services that substantially and uniquely affect the Indian Tribes or their members. In December 2022 the Department issued the DHHS Tribal Collaboration Policy which governs our work. OADS looks forward to engaging with Maine’s four federally recognized Indian Tribes on topics of mutual interest. DHHS Makes First Round of Innovation Grant Awards for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Innovation Pilots The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $4.3 million in its first round of HCBS innovation grants to 13 organizations throughout the State in a competitive process, using federal HCBS improvement funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act. The projects cover a broad range of innovations, from technology to self-advocacy, and seek to make community participation a reality for people with diverse needs, including individuals who require significant behavioral health supports. OADS is pleased to be partnering with The National Disability Institute (NDI) who will be acting as fiscal agent to distribute funds and monitor grant activity, providing technical assistance to awardees, and supporting project evaluation and reporting. For more specific information about these exciting projects, please see DHHS’s blog DHHS Awards First Round of Grants for Innovative Projects Supporting People with Disabilities which was posted on February 28, 2023. Attention IDD Service providers! Did you know that the COVID Immunization Grant program will reimburse providers of Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) services for hosting COVID/flu vaccination clinics? Eligible clinics should be focused on serving individuals with IDD, their families, and staff. A reimbursement of $2,000 is available for clinic-related costs, such as provider staff expenses, clinic set-up, advertisement, and clean-up costs. The program will cover costs for two vaccine clinics per year, each being eligible for reimbursement (up to a grand total of $4,000 for two clinics). If you would like to participate in the program or learn more, please email Trinity Baker, the OADS Vaccine Outreach Manager, at Trinity.Baker@maine.gov Cabinet on Aging Update In Volume 1/ Issue 1 of Aging and Disability Connections you heard about the launch of Governor Mills Cabinet on Aging. We are pleased to share that Elizabeth Gattine has joined the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future as a Senior Policy Analyst and Cabinet on Aging Coordinator. Many of you may know Elizabeth through her various positions such as, Senior Policy Associate at the Catherine Cutler Institute, part of the Muskie School of Public Service, at the University of Southern Maine, or by her fifteen years of experience as a Program Manager at the Office of Aging and Disability Services overseeing Long-Term Services and Supports programs. As the Cabinet on Aging Coordinator, Elizabeth has been full steam ahead. Based on recent input from public stakeholder meetings, the Cabinet is currently focused on identifying and implementing strategies that; support sustainable living for older Mainers in their communities; support community connections that improve quality of life, inclusion, and engagement of older adults; and engage older residents in active retirement and work. For information related to work of the Cabinet and how you can provide input please visit: https://www.maine.gov/future/initiatives/aging What's New with COVID-19? Flu season 2022-2023 has been especially challenging due to the collision of 3 respiratory viruses, resulting in a triple threat or “tripledemic.” Not only did we see an uptick in COVID 19, but the Influenza virus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) peaked earlier and harder than in recent years, overwhelming emergency rooms and hospitals yet again. Luckily, the worst appears to be behind us. But here’s a reminder. COVID- 19 remains active, and we continue to see new cases every day. As in the past, those who might be in a high-risk category should still do everything they can to stay safe and healthy. This includes avoiding big crowds, and masking when in closed crowded spaces. And of course, be sure to get that COVID-19 Bivalent Booster. It’s not too late. Attention CAREGIVERS! Have you heard about Respite for ME? Respite for ME Grants, funded by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, will allow caregivers to access respite care as well as other services not currently covered by existing programs. Eligible caregivers may receive up to $2,000 to access needed services. You can learn more at the FAQ found on our website! OADS to Hire New Housing Coordinator to Support Growth in Housing Options for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and AutismThis new housing coordinator position, funded under the Innovation FMAP project, will lead a significant project to transition a current rental subsidy program to one that affords direct access to this program by waiver members. The person in this position will also liaise with the Housing Authority of Maine with the goal of ensuring that individuals with IDD and Autism and their families are represented when discussion arise about new housing projects in Maine. As the Department considers alternative housing options in the new life span waiver, and other Innovative projects, this position will assist with developing policies and rule to support these other options. Maine SIS Program: OADS and Maximus Move Toward Mid-Spring 2023 Supports Intensity Scale (SIS-A) Needs Assessments Launch | SIS Process Overview | Volunteer Members Sought for Training Assessments | Program Resources The State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) is implementing a new needs assessment for all Section 21 and 29 members. This assessment will be a requirement for members who want to participate in the new “A Path for ME” Lifespan Project planned for 2025. Read below for an overview of the SIS-A assessment process, including a timeline, reminders about initial training assessments, helpful resources, and program support contacts. “A Path for ME” SIS- A Assessment and Lifespan Project Timeline  PROCESS OVERVIEW: Basics of the SIS-A Assessment
Before the Assessment A scheduler will contact the case manager and guardian (if applicable) to schedule the assessment. They will ask for a date, time, and location that works best. The scheduler will also ask if others should be invited to the assessment. Those who participate in the assessment are called respondents. The SIS requires at least two qualified respondents. A qualified respondent must have known the person for 3+ months and be able to speak to their day-to-day support needs. Respondents will talk about the types of supports the member needs to be successful. They must attend for the whole assessment. It can take 2 to 3 hours. OADS needs to ensure the best results from the SIS-A and respect the member’s privacy. It is critical to have the attention of all respondents during the assessment. This means that the interview excludes the use of any outside electronics. Examples of these devices are cell phones, laptops, or recording devices. During the Assessment The interviewer will explain the process to everyone at the assessment. It’s important that the member attend, if only part of the time. There will be occasions when the member cannot attend. If this happens, the interviewer will schedule a time to meet them in person prior to the assessment. After the Assessment Once the assessment is completed, members will:
Case managers can use the information from the SIS assessment. It will assist with greater understanding around the frequency and type of support needed. Information from the SIS assessment may also assist with developing goals. REMINDER: Currently Seeking Members to Volunteer for Training Assessments As shared previously, there is an initial training phase for SIS assessors from February 1 through March 15, 2023. During this period, $100 stipends may be provided to participating members and up to two nonpaid assessment respondents, such as family members and friends. If you know a member who would be interested in volunteering to participate in a training assessment, call the Help Desk: 833.771.4639 or email: Maine-SIS@maximus.com with the subject line, “Member interested in SIS training assessment participation”. TOOLKIT: SIS Resources
SUPPORT: Contact the Maine SIS Assessments Help Desk Do you have other SIS assessment related questions? Contact the Maximus – Maine SIS Help Desk team from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday – Friday to learn more: Phone: 833.771.4639 Email: Maine-SIS@maximus.com Program updates and support information are also available on the OADS website, as well as the newly launched Maximus – Maine SIS Assessments tools and resources page. Bookmark these helpful sites and check back to them for frequent updates in the months ahead. Sign up for the SIS Assessment Mailing Lists: Review the instructions and click one or both links below to stay updated on all the latest program updates and new resources available. Receive program updates from Maximus: Send an email to: Maine-SIS@maximus.com. Use the subject line “Add to the Maine SIS Mailing List” and include the following information in the body of your message for all members of your team who should be added to the mailing list: full name, title, facility/organization, email address. Receive program updates from OADS: Go to the Office of Aging and Disability Services | Department of Health and Human Services (maine.gov) website and enter your email address in the available field to Receive Updates by Email. You will see options listed for various State offices and programs. Select the checkboxes for the OADS information most relevant to you, then follow the prompts to complete your mailing list setup. LEARN MORE: Who is Maximus? Maximus has extensive experience partnering with state, federal and local governments to administer conflict-free assessment services for persons with intellectual, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities, as well as older adults and individuals with complex medical conditions. This includes current management of the State of Maine – Assessment Services Agency (ASA), which is an integrated service for assisting individuals across a range of support programs. Learn more about Maximus services and capabilities. About Maximus For over 40 years, Maximus has partnered with state, federal and local governments across the country. We administer complex programs that provide individuals with the appropriate care and resources necessary to improve their quality of life. The company has extensive experience in conflict-free assessment services for persons with intellectual, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities. Maximus currently manages the State of Maine – Assessment Services Agency (ASA), an integrated service for assisting individuals across a range of support programs. Community Connect Maine Offers Online Training: Digital Storytelling Workshop with Anne Aronson3/7/2023
Community Connect Maine Offers Online Training: Digital Storytelling Workshop with Anne Aronson
The workshop is FREE to participants. (Typical cost is $300.00 for the workshop and equipment.) Class is limited to 8 participants. For more information or to register contact: Kim Humphrey at khumphrey.phadv@gmail.com or call 207-754-3435 The workshop will be offered over four Sunday mornings from 8:30A.M.-12:30P.M. on April 16, April 23, April 30, and May 14. Attendance at all four sessions is strongly recommended. No previous digital media experience is required. Editing equipment is provided. Learn to Create a Digital Story In the workshop you will create a personal digital story based on your experience with disability. Digital stories are short videos that use the power of narration, images, and music to tell a compelling story. Digital stories are used all over the world to empower individuals, build community, and connect small stories to big issues. With guidance from Community Connect, you can share your digital story with policy decision-makers, other families and individuals experiencing the same challenges, and the general public. The stories will move, inform, and raise awareness. This Zoom workshop will lead participants through the process of creating a digital story from start to finish. Topics include:
About Anne Aronson Anne Aronson, the workshop trainer, is the teacher and storyteller behind Digital Story Makers. She is a Professor Emerita at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN. She is an award winning teacher with over 30 years of experience teaching professional writing, rhetoric, gender studies, information literacy and digital storytelling. She has a B.A in English from Yale University and a Ph.D in Rhetoric form the University of MN. In 2011 she attended a digital storytelling workshop offered by StoryCenter. Since then, digital story telling has become the centerpiece of her life. Learn more at www.digitalstorymakers.com Join us for the premiere of invisible: Personal stories from the front lines of disability A screening of short videos by and about people living with disability in Maine, followed by a conversation with the filmmakers. Thursday, March 23, 6 p.m. Curtis Memorial Library, Morrell Room 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, Maine (fully accessible facility) Free and open to the public Please register at: deborah@communityconnectme.org Snacks will be served - Parking available For more information, call (207) 754-3435. (One video deals with sexual abuse and may not be appropriate for all viewers.) These videos are presented by Community Connect Maine. Forwarded Action Alert: Public Hearing 3/13 LD 886- Please ask VLA to make it easier for us to vote3/3/2023
Forwarded Action Alert from Maine Disability Alerts:
On Mon March 13 at 10 am, the Veterans and Legal Affairs (VLA) Committee of the Maine Legislature will hold public hearing on LD 886, “An Act to Allow Clerks to Issue Absentee Ballots After the 3rd Business Day Before Election Day to Voters Who Have a Nonphysical Disability and Voters Who Support a Person with a Disability”. Please consider testifying via zoom, in writing, and/or in person (437 State House, Augusta) to make easier for folks like us to vote. Background:
To testify:
If you checked the ‘testify via zoom’ link then you’ll get a zoom link emailed to you. On hearing day you’ll be able to attend as a participant (who can’t talk or turn camera on) until shortly before it’s your turn to testify. When it’s your turn, they’ll “promote” you to a “participant”. Your zoom might look like you’ve lost the connection just momentarily, but then you’ll reappear as a regular participant who can unmute, turn on camera, etc. And you can tell the committee what you think about LD 886. (Senator Hickman, Representative Supica, and Distinguished members of the VLA Committee) There are four bills scheduled for the 10 am public hearing, with two more bills scheduled for 11 am. So connect at 10, but be prepared to wait for about an hour if take up the other bills first. |
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