Division of Developmental Disabilities Services

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES

GOVERNOR’S ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES

July 17, 2012

A meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Council to the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services was held on July 17, 2012, 1056 Woodbrook Conference Room, Dover.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Timothy F. Brooks, Ed.D., Chair Jamie Doane Anthony Horstman Angela Sipple Robert Spengler

COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Thomas Rust

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Roy Lafontaine, Ph.D. Valerie Smith Warren Ellis, Ph.D. Barbara Ross, Recording

GUESTS PRESENT: Vicki Haschak

CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.

1 NEXT MEETING September 18, 2012, 1:00 p.m., 1056 Woodbrook Conference Room, Dover

Tim welcomed Roy back. It is wonderful to see you back, in good health and well.

Chair for September meeting

Tim said he will be unable to attend the Advisory Council meeting in September, and asked Tony if he would chair the meeting. Tony said he would.

FY 2013 Budget

Valerie shared copies of the following:

 FY 2013 Division Budget Overview Total FY 2013 Budget $ 68,727,800 Total FY 2013 Budget $ 71,550,300 Net Change $ 2,822,500

 FY 2013 Budget Overview by Budget Unit

Administration FY 2012 Budget $ 4,026,800 FY 2013 Budget $ 737,000

Stockley Center FY 2012 Budget $21,342,500 FY 2013 Budget $21,545,900

Community Services FY 2012 Budget $43,358,500 FY 2013 Budget $45,267,400

 FY 2013 Provider Increase 1%

 FY 2013 Provider Transportation Increase 25% (for providers with transportation service)

Valerie went through each item and explained what they meant. A discussion was held and Valerie answered all questions. The issue of the disparity among providers was raised. This has not been addressed since the ICAP-based rate system went into effect. It was proposed that Jane consider meeting with the Secretary regarding this issue. Tim asked that this subject be placed on the September agenda for an update. Tony thanked Valerie for a great review of the budget.

2 Personal/Family issues in Minutes

This issue was discussed with the Council and it was recommended that family member names be excluded in the minutes.

Announcement on Stockley Center August 8 th

Tim noted there was an article in the News Journal last week which said there will be an announcement August 8th on the future utilization of Stockley Center. Tony reported he is on the committee that has been meeting to discuss recommendations as to what to do with Stockley Center. A survey asking specific questions about Stockley was sent out. An outside consultant is working on this project for the Secretary’s Office and will be present at the August 8th meeting. This subject will be an agenda item for the September meeting.

Affordable Care Act Impact on Persons with Disabilities

Roy passed out an overview of how the Affordable Care Act will affect people with disabilities. This subject will be an agenda item for the September meeting. This will give Council members time to read the handout.

Change in Case Managers

Tim and Tony were at a meeting yesterday when the announcement was made that their sons were about to get new case managers. When there is a case manager change, parents would like to be notified. Warren reported when there is a change in case management there is suppose to be a letter sent to everyone concerned. That has been reiterated to case managers on several occasions. The case manager supervisors will also be receiving a letter informing them of the change in case management. Warren noted there are multiple reasons for changing case managers. Some will get promoted. The change will apply to Family Support Specialists also. It was also noted that individuals/their families can request a new case manager. Warren said we try to have one case manager involved with one residential site.

Governor Markel’s Regulation Review, Impact on DDDS?

Tim read in the paper Governor Markel is proposing every three years a review of state regulations throughout the entire state, every agency be done. Mary said it is Executive Order No. 36. Administrative Code – If the policies are older than three years, then they need to be reviewed, put out for public comment, and conduct public hearings. Then the Governor will put out a schedule by Department, giving the timeframe when the reviews are to be completed. Mary noted the impact for the Division is minimal. We have two policies in the register of regulations. We have one on eligibility that is older than three years that this would apply to. It would need to be put out for public comment again after the Division and the Department decide how they want to address and present it. The other one is appeals and it is not even close to three years, so that will not need to be

3 reviewed. Mary noted Jane is going to assign a small working group to brainstorm and make recommendations regarding the eligibility policy, discuss the recommendations at the Leadership Team meeting and then discuss with the Secretary’s Office. Tim said when updates come up regarding this issue, the Advisory Council needs to be kept current.

Applicant Services Report

Roy shared copies of the DDDS Office of Applicant Services, FY 2012 Fourth Quarter Eligibility Report, April – June 2012. Following are categories in the report:

 PART I – New Applications Received Fourth Quarter  PART II – Applications Completed/Processed & Determined Eligible Fourth Quarter  PART III – Applications Completed/Processed & Determined Ineligible in Fourth Quarter

Roy went through the report with the Council and as questions/issues came up, they were answered/resolved. This will be an item for the September agenda. The Advisory Council would like to receive this report every quarter. In addition, Warren shared copies of the Intake Data SFY 2009-2012.

CMS Proposed Rules…Tony Horstman

Tony asked what are the steps that DDDS is going to take to implement everything that comes out from CMS. Roy noted we do not have a plan now because those proposed rules are still being discussed with states. Jane is on the committee of NASDDDS that deals with CMS. She is in Baltimore meeting with NASDDDS now. CMS is coming to Delaware to review our Home and Community Based Waiver. We are due for our five year renewal. Roy reported we have a consultant from HSRI coming in to help us with this review process. Federal dollars will be paying for the consultant.

Hospital Admissions

Warren noted this is an issue that has come up at the Secretary’s level. The issue is when people are ready for discharge from the hospital, there may be no place in the community for them. If anyone goes to the hospital, the RPD’s need to be made aware of that so they can start planning the discharge process as soon as possible. This has become a hot topic with the medical community. There is an increase need for residential placement for people that have medical issues. DDDS has asked for a home to be built in Milton to provide supports for residents with medical issues. A question asked is how do you fund the direct nursing care? There is a need to find a way to pay for LPN/RN to be on staff in this kind of home. This is a growing issue.

4 DHSS Employee Recognition Committee

Tony noted he is on the DHSS Employee Recognition Committee. Last Thursday the committee met and had received three nominations out of 4000+ people and there were none from DDDS for Employee of the Quarter. He asked that we do more to consider people to be nominated for employee recognition.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.