The Judge has set a fairness hearing for June 8th to hear arguments on the joint Motion for Entry of the Settlement Agreement on the “DOJ” matter. DOJ, the Commonwealth and the “Intervenor Defendants” who represent those living at the Training Centers, and witnesses they may call will be heard.
The Provider Training Workgroup met yesterday to discuss the Training needs.
Also, look on the DOJ Agreement Updates page for the Order from the Federal Judge which grants the Motion to Intervene filed by the families.
ANCOR Foundation announced today that Hope House Foundation was being recognized for promoting inclusion for people with disabilities. This national award is a real honor and we join ANCOR in congratulating Hope House Foundation, Lynne Seagle and her staff! Read Press Release here.
The training required for DSPs providing certain services under the ID or DS Waiver has been revised and updated. Effective July 1, 2012 all new direct support staff must be trained using the new manual. The information about Training for Trainers/Supervisors is available here.
This Supervisor Training will provide guidance on training staff using the new “Orientation Manual for Direct Support Professionals (DSP): Supporting People in their Homes and Communities.” A slideshow covering the information in the manual, which also contains supervisor/trainer narrative, discussion items and resources will be made available to participants at the end of the training and completion of the test that accompanies the DSP Orientation Manual. Requirements and documentation for the training of supervisors/trainers and DSPs prior to DSPs providing supports under the Intellectual Disability (ID) and Day Support (DS) Waivers will be covered.
The meeting held in Richmond by DBHDS for service providers will be repeated next month in Roanoke. The power point of the several presentations is attached here and a list of the Community Integration Managers is posted on the DOJ Updates page.
The budget for 2012-2014 was passed last evening and, barring any significant changes by the Governor, will be effective July 1, 2012. The important content has already been posted in the Conference Report posting of earlier this week.
The Health & Human Resouces items in the Conference Report are:
A stakeholders meeting was held to provide an update on the VICAP (Virginia Independent Assessment Program) for the various provider stakeholder groups. The presentation painted a picture a bit more optimistic than the reality for most providers, but during the discussion a number of concerns were raised about the several ongoing barriers to getting appropriate services. There will be additional dialogue which will help to inform the BHSA contractor when that entity is selected.
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services has scheduled two meeting with providers to update them on the DOJ Settlement Activities. The Letter from Commissioner Jim Stewart provides the details; we strongly encouage everyone to register and attend.
We have also posted on the DOJ Agreement Updates page a link to the Advocacy Coalition’s brief in support of the Agreement and five core principles; VNPP is a member of this Advocacy Coalition and supports the document that they will submit to the Court later this week.
Senate Finance reported out this morning their revised amendment package to the Budget; there is no funding for either Waiver slots or rates. In other words, nothing new in areas of the budget that are critical to us!
The House version still contains the 1.6% residential rate restoration and the slots for both ID and DD that were reported out in February.