Notes
DHS / DDS Waiting List Meeting
June 12, 2014
1:30 PM
Working Application Date: Oct. 2005
Attendees: 29
Represented in attendance:
8 – Parent or Family Member
6 – Self-Advocate (person with a disability)
6 – DHS/DDS
2 – OHCA (Health Care Authority)
4 – Agency supporting those with developmental disabilities in Oklahoma
2 – Oklahoma House of Representatives
Representing those on the Waiting List – 9
First Time Attendees – 9
Locations represented – Mustang, Anadarko, Oklahoma City, Del City, Norman, Midwest City, Moore, Sand Springs
Community agencies, programs or organizations represented: Center for Learning and Leadership/OK UCEDD, Oklahoma LEND, SoonerSUCCESS, Phoenix Residential Services, Apex Provider Agency, and Dynasty Care Services
- DHS Update – Ed Lake, DHS Director – It was a tough year for the Oklahoma Legislature because of the expected budget shortfall, but Oklahoma DHS fared well. Director Lake said DHS had no reductions and was in fact increased to help meet the Pinnacle Plan. The governor and the Oklahoma legislature approved an additional $1 million to work the waiting list. Director Lake reports it was a good year for the DHS budget all together.
- A parent asked Director Lake if the full amount needed to dissolve the waiting list was requested from the legislature this year. Director Lake reported that they did not request the full amount needed understanding the current climate of Oklahoma’s budget, but they do request a certain amount which has for the past three session been reduced to the $1million they have actually received.
- Waiting List Update – Marie Moore, DDS Deputy Director & Debbie Pumphrey, DDS Deputy Director – It was reported that they are working application date Oct. 2005. They have moved 268 people to waivers over the past two years. They currently have 111 cases pending. Until the past two months, when the budget was undecided, they were pulling 50 cases a month from the waiting list, to “work”. When the budget discussion started and they were not sure if they would actually receive the million dollars they reduced the number to 30 a month. With this new appropriation, they will go back to pulling 50-60 cases a month to be ‘worked’. Of the cases removed from the waiting list, 60-75% have been closed due to inability to locate or they have moved out of state, 12% have declined for different reasons, i.e. continuing with the Family Support Subsidy, no longer wanted service, or unknown. It was reported that less than 4% of those removed from the waiting list did not qualify due to not meeting DDS or Medicaid eligibility. They also reported that there were about 120 individuals placed on waivers in the past year due to emergency situations. Most of those emergencies were identified due to the state taking custody of the person. When asked the number of those coming off the waiting list who were children versus adult, it was reported that about 1/3 were children and the rest adults. When asked how many qualify for Community Waiver instead of the In-Home Supports waiver, it was reported that 15% will receive the Community supports waiver.
Waiting List Breakdown_March 31 2014
Waiting List Breakdown by county March 2014
- State Funded Employment Services – Regina Chase, DDS spoke about transition to work services. Regina said that transition to employment is usually provided from high school by the Oklahoma Department of Education (OSDE) and the Department of Rehabilitative (DRS) services. When they are not able to provide the employment services, DDS will step in and play a role. If there is an IEP in place for the student and employment training is part the IEP then DDS will not be needed because the responsibility lies with OSDE and DRS. When those options are exhausted or when the person needing employment services is out of school, DDS has a program to support individuals with developmental disabilities to become employed. She explained that the DHS/DDS Employment Services for those ON the waiting list, are state funded services and CAN be accessed while waiting for waiver services. If a person is interested in employment they do NOT have to wait for their name to come to the top of the list. There are two types of employment services the person can receive, Community Integrated Employment (CIE) and Sheltered Workshops. Community Integrated Employment – Job placement, training and support by a certified job coach in community settings such as local business (individual and group)Once a person has been approved for DDS Employment Services you will need to choose a provider depending on the service that was approved, Community Integrated Employment or Shelter workshops. List of Shelter Workshop Providers List of Community Integrated Employment Providers
- For more information contact Regina Chace, Programs Supervisor, Employment/Adult Day Services or (405) 521-4973.
- Sheltered Workshop – is a segregated employment setting and is paid work and training, it includes contract work and volunteer work.
- In order to apply for DDS Employment Services, you will need to call your area DDS office. Apply by clicking HERE. Please NOTE – you need to tell the “Intake” operator that you want to apply for the DDS Employment Service AND the DDS Waiver, if you are interested. You must know these are two different requests. If you only want to apply for the employment services, make sure to explain that, too.
- Family Questions & Comments
- There was much discussion following the talk about DDS Employment services regarding the lack of information to families and about what employment looks for in students with disabilities. Regina said that her staff has made a concerted effort to educate local teachers about the state employment program in hopes of adding to those who use this program. It was also suggested that they follow up with those areas to see if that kind of awareness improves the number of students accessing that program. It was also discussed that it should be expanded across the state to assure that all students and teachers understand the availability of this program.
- It was also discussed that this kind of information needs to be provided to parents way before it’s time to graduate. Families don’t know or understand how a person with developmental disabilities will be able to be employed and be able to work. This information and supports need to be explained in elementary and middle school to assure that families have a vision for their child’s future.
- One parent also discussed her challenges with accessing respite while her child is receiving Family Support Subsidy. She was able to make a connection with a few other families and professionals who plan to help her navigate the situation. She also mentioned that when she tried to apply for State Funded Personal Care she was told that because she’s “abled body” her daughter would not qualify. She was also connected with a parent who is going to help her navigate that process because that is not how that service is determined. The service is determined by the needs of the person with disabilities, not the parent. Also, please note, this is a single mom attempting to receive some assistance while her daughter waits.
- Next MeetingSequoyah Building, Capitol Complex Room C-47
- Thursday, September 11, 2014 @ 1:30PM