Wake LME Updates 6/8

Subject: Wake LME Weekly Updates- 6/8/12

I/DD Community Forums
Four additional community forums focusing on the impact of the LME merger
and 1915 (b)/(c) Waivers on services for people with intellectual/developmental
disabilities have been scheduled in Durham this month. To download a flyer,
click here.

State-funded (IPRS) MH/DD/SA Providers: Quality Improvement Annual Reports Due Soon
Provider QI Annual Reports are due to Alliance Behavioral Health by July 1 and should report on any quality improvement projects that have been completed, as well as outcomes and other data according to your QI Plan. A full year of data (July 1, 2011- June 30, 2012) should be reported.
Please submit reports to Lena Klumper, Director of Quality Management; Alliance Behavioral Healthcare.
If you have any questions, you may contact Lena at 919-651-8442 (on or after June 11). 
E-mail through June 30th
E-mail as of July 1st 

Wake County CPAC Meeting 
The Wake County Community Provider Advisory Committee (CPAC) meeting will be held at its usual time, next Thursday, June 14th from 2:00 - 3:30 in Room 210, 401 E. Whitaker Mill Rd., Raleigh.

Next All-Provider Meeting
All Durham and Wake county providers are invited to the next Alliance
Behavioral Healthcare Provider Meeting on June 20 at 3:00pm in the County
Commissioners Chambers of the Durham County Administration Building. The
meeting will focus on the Durham-Wake merger and provider credentialing/
enrollment.

Credentialing/Enrollment Information
Enrollment is now open for hospitals, PRTFs, LIPs, and Durham and Wake
IPRS providers billing Medicaid. Detailed information about the provider
credentialing/enrollment process is available with one click from the
provider website. Look for the tab on the top row of navigation called
“Credentialing/Enrollment” to access applications and a wide variety of other
information, or click here. 

What's New in May?

May 2012 events and updates.

• NCGA 5/31 HHS Committee Meeting & Bills.
• Parent & Public Perspectives: Where are the voices?... DMA 8M POLICY PROPOSAL PUBLIC COMMENTS from 2011.
• Provider Perspective: Legislative Correspondence from Wendy, QP. 
• Medicaid per diem Reimbursement Rates for State DD Facilities.
• response from Representative Tricia Cotham and repy, 5/24.
• re-post from The Arc NC: What is Managed Care & Why it' Not a Good Fit.
• Parent Perspective: Voices from the 5/22 Coalition rally (video).
• 5/10 response from Senator Neal Hunt to 5/9 email (am posting late).
• Parent Perspective: my email to Representative Tricia Cotham (sent 5/22).
• Parent Perspective: Legislative Correspondence follow-up from special Mom, Colleen.
• Parent Perspective: Legislative Correspondence from special Mom, Colleen, 5/24.
• NCGA House of Representatives HHS Committee Meeting 5/31.
• added to Google Calendar.
• email to Pat McCrory, candidate for Lt. Governor and Twitter info, 5/23.
• Parent Perspective: Legislative Correspondence from special parent, Mary K. Short, 5/21.
• Arc NC Action Alert, 5/21.
• NC Chickens Coming Home to Roost - about the DOJ complaint & settlement negotiations,
• NC Faces Potentially Massive Legal Settlement Over Housing for Mentally Ill from NC Health News.
• Disability Rights NC Press Release: Governor Ignores Crisis for People with Disabilities, May 14, 2012.
• posted more PBH documents : Board Minutes, CFAC Minutes, and Network / Provider Council Minutes; some dating to 2003.
• Happy Mother's Day!
• Family Story: NC Creates Dilemma for the Grahams; NC Heath News article and video by Lydia Wilson.
• Parent Perspective: legislative correspondence from special parent, Colleen.
• added search function for searching information on this blog.
• moved What's New main post with link to monthly What's New under pages (does that even make sense?) - on the left.
• added flier for Wake / Durham Alliance Behavioral Healthcare Town Hall Meetings, 5/29 and 6/4.
• added to our blog's Google Calendar of Events.
• corrected Document Public DropBox Directory link.
• added more files for public access.
• NC General Assembly *Meeting Agenda* for the May 15th Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services meeting.
• Parent Perspective: my email to Senator Neal Hunt; 5/.
• post: information forward on Federal Government changes re Long Term Care.
• post: Years of CAP Service vs. No. of CAP Workers.
• United Way's Child & Family Advocacy Day at the NC General Assembly on 5/17.
• added to our blog's Google Calendar of Events.
• Families: A very moving video presentation representing NC families who will be and are critically affected by Medicaid Waiver service cuts and changes.
• A heartfelt parent letter from Kimberly Feller, Raleigh mother of two sons with Autism.
• posted MHDDSAS Coalition Advocacy flyer for info regarding the upcoming 5/22 Rally in Downtown Raleigh - MARK YOUR CALENDARS & BRING YOUR FAMILY! 
• added to our blog's Google Calendar of Events.
• posted additional action needed message from the Arc NC with event info.
• added a Word and PDF version of the Speak Up! page, with added information and copy+paste contact information.
• message from The Arc of NC regarding a request and need to slow progression of Managed Care implementation of 1915(b)(c) Waivers.
• NCGA JLOC on HHS / LME Governance Subcommittee meeting notice for 5/14 posted.
• added to our blog's Google Calendar of Events.
• DHHS DMH/DD/SAS Policies and Procedures setting forth criteria for Secretary approval of mergers between Area Authorities / County Programs with MCO's, 4/23.
• added link on Documents page to the Public DropBox Directory for all documents on this blog and many, many more.
• upcoming Wake County CAP Services Information session with Arc NC Executive Director, Dave Richard on 5/11.
• added to our blog's Google calender.
• added flyer and text for upcoming Wake County community forum regarding CAP services from Alliance Behavioral Healthcare on 5/9 and 5/21.
• added the Durham Center LME calendar to the blog's Google calendar.
• added instructions for adding our blog's calendar to your own personal Google calendar.
• Partners in Policymaking, program registration deadline: May 11th.
• Action request from the Association for Rehabilitation Centers.

[ What's New Main ]

Arc NC Action Alert

From The Arc of North Carolina

Attend The Coalition Rally! Also, Calls & Emails Needed....

It’s crunch time. Legislators are considering changes to HB 916 this week, and we have an opportunity to suggest improvements to the 1915 b/c waiver. The Arc continues to work with legislators to create reasonable solutions to issues many of you are already experiencing with the implementation of the 1915 b/c waiver. Here’s what we’re working on:

First, restoring access to some form of independent case management for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is critical for the 1915 b/c waiver model to succeed. Second, individuals with CAP or Innovations slots need assurances that they can continue to use them regardless of where they live. Third, where a person originally received Medicaid should not be an impediment to receiving services today.

As we work on these issues, it is critical that legislators hear from you -- Nothing is more powerful than you telling your story.

Decisions on potential changes to HB 916 are being made this week. 

Please call & email:

• Your legislators
• Legislative leadership
• House DHHS appropriations sub-committee

Download my list with copy+paste contact info by Committee:

• Word Contact List
• PDF Contact List

Tell them:

• Restore Independent Case Management: People with I/DD need an independent case manager who works for them, not for the Managed Care Organization!
• Slow the pace of Managed Care – Get it right: There are many problems with the current managed care plan, as many of you can personally attest to. It is important that the pace of implementation be slowed so these problems can be addressed before they become an established part of the system.

The Coalition Rally (Tuesday, May 22)

If you can attend the Rally at the NC Legislative Building (16 W Jones Street) in Raleigh, please do so! Even if if you can only spare an hour …Call your legislator and ask to see them. It will make a difference. Registration Starts at 8:00 AM and the Rally itself is at noon. Details on the rally can be found here, including parking info.

The Arc will have staff avalible from 7:30 AM through the end of the day avalible to assist you in getting around. The Day of the event, please call 919.500.8382 if you have any questions or problems.

DHHS Waiver Advisory Committee Meeting (Tues, May 22, 1-3 PM)

If you can attend the DHHS Waiver Advisory Committee, please do so as well!! It will be meeting from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the McKimmon Center (1101 Gorman Street) in Raleigh - a quick 10 minunte drive from where The Coalition Rally is taking place. There is plenty of free parking. Public Comments will be heard beginning at 2:30 PM. More information on the DWAC can be found here.

Again, if you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact Ben Akroyd at bakroyd@arcnc.org or 919.500.8382.

Arc NC message : Slow Managed Care

The Arc of North Carolina
May 7, 2012

NC should slow down Managed Care Implementation

Cost of overly rapid tranistion being paid by those with I/DD in NC The Arc of NC believes the state of North Carolina must slow the implementation of the 1915(bc) combination waiver in order to avoid serious transition issues and unintended consequences due to unreasonable implementation timelines, and to revise plans in the design of the Managed Care Waiver. The Arc raised significant concerns about the managed care model during the last legislative session. In good faith, we have attempted to work with the state to implement this model and to point out where it does not work. Our good faith efforts resulted in little action from the State and a continued rush to implement a system that could harm people with developmental disabilities and their families.  For example: Despite language allowing for the provision of care coordination by independent agencies, no MCO has chosen to implement this option; individuals and families are losing their case management and their independent voice  Individuals cross walking from CAP to the Innovations waiver are having service changes that are not in the best interest of the individual Medicaid “county of origin” is causing serious implementation issues Payment and authorization systems are not working as intended Community Guide is not available for the people who need it now (since they no longer have a Case Manager) There is little coordination between the service and the medical side of Medicaid How guardianship will be provided has yet to be resolved   - Click to Read More -   Sign up for The Arc of NC's newsletter. Policy Partners is The Arc of North Carolina's biweekly email newsletter. It covers developmental disability policy on the federal, state, and occasionally local level. Its also a great way to learn about events The Arc is having in your area!

Wake Forums: CAP Services

In text...

Community Forums (from Alliance Behavioral Healthcare): Services for People with Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities with the Merger and 1915 b/c Waivers 

To be held:

Wake County Commons Building
4011 Carya Drive
Raleigh, North Carolina 27610

Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Focusing on those with CAP MR/DD services

12:00-1:30 pm or
5:30 - 7:00 pm

Monday, May 21, 2012
Focusing on those waiting for services, or those receiving Medicaid TCM or State-funded services

12:00-1:30 pm or
5:30 - 7:00 pm

Alliance Behavioral Healthcare is a new multi-county Area Authority merging The Durham Center and Wake LME. For more information on the merger or these forms, visit www.durhamcenter.org. 

What's new in April?

April 2012 events and updates.

• PBH Documents post added.
• added Google Calendar for Waiver Events in pages.
• Website launch of NC Mental Health reform by research journalist and UNC student, Lydia Wilson.
• Email from Dr. Pat Porter regarding how changes will affect the salaries and benefits (or lack of) for direct care workers.
• PBH's Press Release and response on federal District Court Judge Flanagan's March 29th ruling in L.S., et al. v. Delia, et al. [No. 5:11-CV-354FL].

[ What's New main ]

What's New in March?

March 2012 events and updates.

• Preliminary Injunction 3/29 Ordered by Federal Justice Flanagan in the Disability Rights NC suit against NC DHHS and PBH; posted on US Case Law page.
• added Updated Service Definitions (02/2012) and new Comparison Grid of Services document (01/2012) to CAP-MR/DD page.
• Second meeting with Dr. Pat Porter in Raleigh, 3/28.
• Met with Dr. Patricia Porter in Chapel Hill, 3/16.
• moved Correspondence page to top tab link Correspondence... (apparently there is too much data for a regular entry post; information truncates upon upload). Correspondence exchanges to date can be found there...
• Updated Correspondence page with responses and replies to date. 
• Sent email to Joint Caucus Leader Rep. Marilyn Avila, 3/15.
• Email sent out today from DHHS Sandy Ellsworth announcing, "CMS has approved the extension of the Comprehensive and Supports CAP-I/DD waivers though June 28."
• Sent follow-up email to Representative Bill Current, 3/14.
• Sent follow-up email to Senator Tommy Tucker, 3/13.
• Attended the 3/13 Joint Legislative Oversight Committee meeting on Health and Human Services downtown Raleigh:
• DHHS Chief Clinical Operating Officer, Tara Larson, announced that Federal funding for Medicaid programs which provide Personal Care Services (PCS) in residential settings for Physically Disabled, Developmentally Disabled, and Elderly recipients is due to end April 30, 2012... And the State has NO PLAN. 
• News article: NC personal care services for thousands may end by Gary D. Robertson - Associated Press on NewsObserver.com; March 13, 2012.
• News article: Medicaid deadline jeopardizes residents of adult care homes by Lynn Bonner - LBONNER@NewsObserver.com

  
  Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/13/1928599/medicaid-deadline-jeopardizes.html#storylink=cpyRead more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/13/1928918/nc-personal-care-services-for.html#storylink=cpy

• Introductions and brief chats with: Senator Tommy Tucker, Representative Bill Current, Senator Fletcher Hartsell, Joint Caucus Leader / Representative Marilyn Avila... and though try as I might, couldn't seem to pin down Representative Nelson Dollar.
• expanded on 916 to Waiver Plan to include more background information on House Bill 916 to State Law to the new statewide Medicaid Waiver plan.
• changed name of About HB 916 header link to 916 to Waiver Plan.
• added page with MHDDSA and legal acronyms and legal terminology: Acronyms, Etc. If you have others to add, please let me know.
• Posted Disability Right NC's Federal Class Action Complaint on behalf of KC et al. against NC DHHS and PBH, filed 07/01/2011 and Memorandum in Support, filed 03/02/2012 to US Case Law page.
• Met with Disability Rights of North Carolina, 3/7. 
• Posted Disability Rights NC's Federal Class Action Complaint  on behalf of Pashby et al. against NC DHHS, filed 05/31/2011, as well as the DRNC Press Release to US Case Law page.
• Received a written response from Commissioner Lewis of the US Administration on Developmental Disabilities; posted in Correspondence, 3/5.
• Called the Office of the Governor to confirm receipt of hard copy letter and inquire of anticipated response date... Was told letter had been forwarded to NC DHHS for response on behalf of Governor Perdue; could not confirm whether or not the Governor herself had actually reviewed letter; requested that the letter be flagged for personal review and stressed the importance, that this is not merely a person letter but a letter that is very personal written on behalf of not only my DD child but the DD community across the State, 3/5.
• created new page Links with links to resources and information websites on everything from DD to government agencies, advocacy, and even Special Education. Please let me know if you have one (or more) to add!

* What's New Main.

What's New in February

February 2012 events and updates.

• expanded About HB 916 page.
• 02/28/2012: Got a phone call today from the UNC developmental disability and policy expert (not affiliated with HHS) hired by the NC General Assembly to consult and advise them on the Medicaid Waiver issue. Senator Hartsell delivered my letter to her. Had a great chat and will be meeting with her in person very soon!
• posted THE Letter to pages, My Letter and Correspondence.
• Added Disability Rights of NC's 2010 Complaint to the US Department of Justice regarding the State's ADA and Olmstead violations on CAP-MR/DD page.
• expanded more on How to Advocate.
• Emailed digital copy of THE Letter with email enclosure to members of the NC Senate, 2/25.
• Emailed digital copy of THE Letter with email enclosure to members of the NC House of Representatives, 2/25.
• Posted copy of email to NC Representatives.
• Posted copy of email to US HHS Commissioner Lewis and Deputy Commissioner Kendall.
• New post: Correspondence page.
• updated Speak Up! with download-able text list of email addresses for the entire NC House and Senate available to 'copy + paste' into your email client.
• Emailed digital copy of THE Letter to Commissioner Sharon Lewis and Deputy Commissioner Jamie Kendall of the US HHS.
• Added Title 42. The Public Health and Welfare. Chapter 144. Developmental Disabilities Assistance Bill of Rights; Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities; General Provisions [42 USCS § 15002] to US Case Law page.
• Updated Speak Up! with additional contacts. 
• THE Letter went out via email to Cindy Mann and Connie Martin at the US CMS, 2/24.
• THE Letter went out to Governor Perdue in today's mail! 2/24.
• New post page about THE Letter (My Letter).
• updated CAP-MR/DD page: 
• added 04/14/2010  Comparison of CAP, PBH, & Innovations Waivers Presentation by DMADDSA Director, Leza Wainwright.
• added 05/20/2010 DD Council Presentation on Consumer 1915bc Waiver Questions.
• added 08/25/2011 DMHDDSAS Commission Meeting Minutes.
• added 2003 NC MHDDSA Service Definitions Manual.
• added NC DHHS 10/2011 Trustfund for DMHDDSA and Bridge Funding Needs Report. 
• updated CAP-MR/DD page: 
• added NC DHHS 01/2012Waiver Status Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee.
• added NC DHHS's 07/2010 Strategic Plan Process for 2010-2013 Report to NCGA.
• added NC DHHS's 2007 Olmstead Report.
• added different CAP Manual versions and comparisons.
• updated US Case Law page with Olmstead case law documents.
• Added "Related Legislature" section to NC HB 916 page to include NC Senate Bills relating to the Medicaid Waiver program.
• Updated US Case Law and NC HB 916 pages and posted to both: 2011 Report of Investigative Findings from US Department of Justice re: NC's violation of Title II of the ADA and citing the State's failure to comply and meet its obligations under federal law.
• Updated Speak Up! page to include additional contacts, detailed information for contacts, their rolls, election status, etc.
• Expanded more on How to Advocate page.
• Created How to Advocate page.
• 02/18/2012:
• Created Speak Up! page with contact information for who to contact regarding NC HB 916.
• Created US Case Law documents page.
• Created NC HB 916 documents page.
• NO2NCHB916 Blog and Facebook group established, 2/17/2012.

[ What's New Main ]