Notes
DHS / DDS Waiting List Meeting
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Working Application Date February 2006
Attendees: 30
Represented in attendance:
17 – Parent or Family Member
3 – Self-Advocate (person with a disability)
5 – DHS/DDS
2 – OHCA (Health Care Authority)
3 – Community Partners
Representing those on the Waiting List – 11
First Time Attendees – 5
Locations represented – Oklahoma City, McAlester, Wellston, Warr Acres, Tulsa, Piedmont, Mustang, Norman, Moore, Edmond
Community agencies, programs or organizations represented: Center for Learning and Leadership/OK UCEDD, Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Sooner SUCCESS, Oklahoma Family Network, TARC, Oklahoma Community Provider Association, Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel Advisory
DHS Update including budget – Mark Jones, DHS gave an update on the budget. DHS is still facing a big hole in the budget, still needing 15.5 million to close the gap of 69 million when the cigarette tax was declared unconstitutional. DHS has asked for 2 supplemental appropriations of 26.9 million and 26.5 million, but that will still leave the gap. DHS is reporting that they are still 4.6 million short from the close of May, Mark reports that they can cover that cost saving by not filling current open positions with the exception of child welfare. There are currently many vacant positions at DHS, but this allowed them to not cut waiver services so though they are still understaffed waivers are fully funded for 2018. Mark asked that we continue our talked with legislators and share the requests of DHS, ask for restored provider cuts and a rate increase of beyond the restored of 3.5%. The FMAP is trending better but we still have a long way to go.
Wanda Felty explained more in this that rates were cut in September 2015 and in agencies are getting $12-15 an hour for HTS services which results in the worker HTS getting paid $8.55/8.75 an hour. Wanda tells the story of Kayla and her staff in Walmart when Kayla went into adrenal crisis and the staff had to keep her alive.
Waiting List Data Sheets: Wanda gave an update on the Waiting List and what the color codes and charts mean.
Current date of application is February 2006.
Waiting List Breakdown (Waiting Time, Services Receiving, Location of Residents)
Waiting List Breakdown by County
After a question was asked regarding the chart and its categories Wanda explained that the states plan of personal care was isolated because you can qualify for it while you wait! Currently of the 4,809 children on Medicaid only 141 take advantage of the state personal care plan. This service is underutilized! It is still available to those over 21 years of age as well. You can call the agency number, 1-800-435-4711, to apply on the intake hotline. If you are on SoonerCare through the TEFRA program the number is different so you need to call 877-252-6002 to sign up. Wanda explained the TEFRA program as working like a secondary insurance so your primary pays first then Soonercare pays. Sometimes prior authorization is needed and payment depend on need and the cost. (in regards to personal care)
Personal Story – Next a mom who attended the meeting shared her story. A mother out of Moore adopted 3 children from the Ukraine who have special needs. All are on the WL. Due to unforeseen circumstances and a divorce this mom needs to work outside the home. She now works nights at Hobby Lobby. She was using the in home child care services given to families of children with special needs but due to a policy change in child care services she has had to take FML and is going to lost her job due to losing her childcare provider. They were using personal care but provider left, they qualify and need care from 4pm-9pm and nobody wants to work those hours. They also qualify for nursing care but cannot find a provider. This mom says her family is falling through the cracks, she wants to work and not be on welfare but things are impossible. DDS staff and OHCA staff will follow up with her and see where they can help. WF would like to meet to look at the gaps in service delivery and system.
DDS Budget and Waiting List Update – Marie Moore, DDS Interim Director Marie stated that she has been interim director for 2 years now and would like to make a move to focus on community engagement. How can DHS be in the community? How can DHS get responses from the community?
Marie reports that a year ago they did a survey of the WL and 7400 post card went out (40 came back) only 300 people updated their info. There was also an online survey that DHS did on the WL and asked families questions. 2200 got the e-mail with the link to the survey. 400 got phone calls. There were less than 400 responses to the survey. In the next few months documents/letters will go out to the families on the WL asking them to update their information and if they are still wanting to be on the WL. During the next few months there will also be calls to every family on the WL. DHS will send out information 500/600 at a time and do people searches on those they are returned. They desire to have a validated list. Wanda asked that when they contact families they make sure they know not to lose hope and people do still know they are waiting. We have a responsibility to verify the info.
Someone asked if this means that the persons WL# will change?
Marie answered yes it does. When we work the list people have been lost or don’t qualify/need services. Please help families understand this process and how important updated information is to DHS. Marie asked that we spread the word and to let her know if you are interested in looking at the letter that will be sent out to help make sure the language is family friendly and they will understand what it means.
A representative from Sooner SUCCESS asked if DHS could come to the ON The Road Conference
Marie said they would try and perhaps make a video that could be shown at the OTR COnf. across the state.
Marie went on to update that the FMAP up 3.5%
Blended FMAP is 2.5%
Meaning the federal money goes up. DHS still short but we won’t count on it.
Mark Jones stated that the money left over usually goes to cover emergencies of the WL. So if people come off of services/WL (ie: die) the money goes to emergencies and not to move a new person off the list.
Marie stated that emergencies are expensive, it is usually a crisis and usually for inpatient services.
Bill Update – Wanda reports
HB 2758 (Rep. Leslie Osborn & Sen. Griffin) Respite Waiver – this will take money and provide a small respite waiver. It will serve adults, help with Rx’s, incontinent supplies, and provide some case management. This will help people who rely on SSI check to pay for things like adult diapers and additional Rx’s Medicaid doesn’t cover. We will continue to work the WL and find funding, increase provider rates, people will still be on the WL if they get this respite waiver they will not lose their place. This waiver hasn’t been written yet but will be modeled after the aging respite program. It will not be self-directed but modeled after the respite voucher system now. CMS will need to approve it, it is just a vision now and will have a DD requirement. DDS respite will stay.
We hope that more legislation will come out of the WL caucus.
HB 2754 (Rep. Leslie Osborn & Sen. Griffin) this is a voluntary tax that will be for people who want to drive off road vehicles on a main road. It is for a tag for the ATV and is voluntary. The money will pay for the respite waiver so both most pass for this to work!
Wanda updated on DD day at the Capitol, DD day will be in the morning and the afternoon will be DRS.
Next Meeting (March, June, September, December)
Thursday, March 8, 2018
1:30 pm
Sequoyah Building Room C-47
2400 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK