Jeff Coffey

The October edition of Disability Connect focused on employment discussions with the community life engagement team. Key agenda items included an overview of the session goals, a discussion on employment planning using a 'flight plan' metaphor, and an introduction of the team members involved in the Community Life Engagement team and the Works for Me project. The session detailed the Employment First administrative rule, emphasizing person-centered planning to identify strengths, interests, and goals for competitive integrated employment (CIE). The benefits of work, such as learning new skills, feeling valued, building connections, accessing benefits, and achieving economic self-sufficiency, were reviewed. The definition of CIE was provided, highlighting that it involves working alongside people without disabilities for commensurate wages and opportunities. Resources like Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and HCBS waiver services for support and job coaching were discussed. The session included a mid-flight check-in emphasizing open communication with the support crew, including SSAs and counselors, to navigate challenges.

The meeting served as a progress check-in for the rule and waiver implementation team, focusing on revisiting the process, reviewing input received since the July meeting, and discussing expectations moving forward. Key topics included reviewing the background and purpose of the work, checking timelines based on the final blueprint proposal, and discussing the coincidence of this work with the current RFP for waiver modernization. A significant portion was dedicated to structuring the decision-making process between the stakeholder group and the administering department (DODD). Furthermore, the discussion confirmed current assumptions regarding the Adult Day Support (ADS) service definition, noting minor wording changes and expected discussions on quality of services, especially for individuals with complex needs, which will influence the rate structure, group sizes, modifiers, and pay-for-performance elements.

The meeting included a welcome, introductions, and a review of the agenda. It featured a statewide blueprint update and a discussion of DODD contract deliverables for State Fiscal Year 2022, focusing on planning calls, implementation team meetings, and outlining changes to state appropriations, local financing, acuity assessment instruments, budget limitations, service definitions, and new rate calculations. Milliman's proposed approach was presented. Self-Directed Transportation, proposed to go into effect on July 1, 2022, was also discussed, including the use of prepaid vouchers, cards, passes, or tokens and per mile or per trip reimbursement.

The meeting focused on preliminary rate model assumptions and future rate model considerations. Discussions included rate model components such as direct service employee salaries and wages, employee-related expenses, transportation and fleet vehicle expenses, and administration, program support, and overhead. The team also discussed potential provider survey components and paid time off assumptions. Key rate model differences between facility and community settings were addressed, including the inclusion of a floater for the community rate, administrative and building/facility costs, and indirect time. Next steps involve Milliman completing additional analysis and DODD deciding on additional rate model framework decisions.

The meeting of the Workforce Task Force included discussions about proposals, including reevaluating provider capacity. Updates were provided on the process of limiting or freezing new agency providers. There was also a discussion about a workforce shortage letter from association members. A small work group was formed to further discuss these issues.