Arc NC Announcement: Waiver Update

The Arc of NC attended the Waiver Development External Stakeholder Workgroup
meeting held in Raleigh on January 31 and February 1, 2008.
The External Stakeholder Workgroup that attended consisted of many family
members, the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities, provider agencies,
advocates, The Arc, The Autism Society, LME staff, CFAC members, and many
more people.

The Division shared lots of information about the process but perhaps more
importantly, asked for, and received feedback from the group. Every question
and issue raised by the stakeholders was listened to and written down for
consideration.

The Arc of NC applauds the Division on their transparency of the new waiver
development as well as their obvious intent to add services that are
self-directed and person-centered. Additionally, services are being proposed
to address gaps in the current waiver. Some of those services include:
nursing respite, incremental levels of behavioral intervention, and crisis
services.

The need for training for all components of the system was stressed often.
Training for case managers/support brokers, providers, families and
self-advocates, plan approvers etc.

There are some exciting proposed service definitions that are being worked
on and as they are developed we will be sure that you get the information as
well as how to provide feedback on the proposals.
The information below is pasted from Implementation Update # 39 just posted
today on the Division website. To read the entire Update please go to:
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/mhddsas/servicedefinitions/servdefupdates/index.
htm

The following is a brief summary of the proposed framework for the tiered
waivers:

Tier # 1:
* For individuals who live on their own or with their family and who
have low intensity support needs and/or have access to unpaid supports that
can meet a substantial portion of their overall needs
* Will support individuals whose needs can be met within the range of
$0 to $25,000
* Will include a tier specific service array designed to meet the
needs of this population
* Allows for self-direction of services for consumers living on their
own or with their family.

Tier # 2:
* For individuals who live in their own home, with their family, or in
a congregate residential setting in the community
* Will support individuals whose needs can be met within the range of
$25,001 to $60,000
* Will include the current service array with some revisions
* Allows for self-direction of services for consumers living on their
own or with their family.

Tier # 3:
* For individuals who live in their own home, with their family or in
a congregate residential setting in the community
* Will support individuals whose needs can be met within the range of
$60,001 to $91,000
* Includes the current service array with revisions to include
enhancement of services to meet the higher intensity of service needs
* Self-direction is not an option in this waiver

Tier # 4:
* For individuals who experience severe medical fragility, and/or
severe behavioral challenges
* Will support individuals whose needs can be met within the range of
$91,001 to $135,000
* Includes a specific service array designed to meet the medical
and/or behavioral needs of this population
* Self-direction is not an option in this waiver

The Arc wants to continue to provide feedback on how to make the waivers
work best for individuals and families. To that end, we really want to know
your thoughts. For now the feedback that would be most helpful are your
thoughts on what is currently working, what is hopelessly broken, and what
needs to be repaired with the current waiver. Please let us know what you
want to see in the new waivers so that we can formulate our advocacy
position.

Send an e-mail to <mailto:lguzman@arcnc.org> lguzman@arcnc.org with your
feedback.

As drafts of the new waiver plan begin to emerge we will make sure you have
the information and we'll make sure you know how to provide your input and
feedback.

(Special thanks to Linda Guzman-Chapter Advocacy Specialist, The Arc of North Carolina)