January and February Visits
PPMU Director, Wendy Yosco visited with ABCD’s Residential Committee to discuss the creation/expansion of the IDD/Behavioral/Mental Health service continuum. Behavioral Health Stabilization Homes are in the process of being completed both in the community and at New Lisbon. The hope is the 2nd of 3 community homes will be operational early this year and more beds will open at New Lisbon once staffing is found. Though the number of beds does not yet meet the need (there is a waiting list) the results are very promising. In addition to on-site efforts, staff works closely with provider staff and support coordination to ensure that the transitions are and remain successful. One committee member shared that her agency has used both homes and found the results to be very positive. Another member with experience in both the mental health and DD systems stated that she is most excited about the creation of stabilization homes which have been a missing piece and making the model that much more comprehensive. START for which an RFP for two programs will be distributed during the first quarter of the year, will be focused more on co-occurring mental health challenges and IDD. Though this will look like the current CARES model, it is not identical. START is pro-active and comes into play to prevent escalation and the need for hospitalization. Each START program will have 12 staff comprised of 6 clinicians each responsible for 20 individuals. The group discussed how one of the difficulties is that DDD and MH are not a natural fit. Wendy replied that the most important element they are looking for in a START provider is their willingness to learn. Thanks to Wendy and the Administration for their commitment to serving the people who need it the most.
Managing Director; Matthew Smierciak, CPA, Director and Heather Tiernan, Manager, of Mercadien met with the Support Coordination Alliance to present on the compliance oversight it is providing to DHS/DMHAS as part of the NJ’s corrective action plan based on findings from a federal OIG audit. The presentation included an overview of audit types, risk factors, HCBS procedures as they pertain to support coordination, “clean claims,” compliance v. overbilling, and examples/findings. Mercadien had to come up with a unique set of procedures that fit SC. Annually, they randomly select between 30-35 SCA based on location, size and DDD input. Two of the biggest takeaways from the presentations is that SCA’s are not aware of everything in the manual that is required and often notes are “cut and pasted” rather than “unique and specific” as they should be. Our thanks to Kyle, Matt and Heather for a very informative presentation.
In addition to program reviews, Mercadien services include Financial Statement Audit Readiness, Succession Planning, Special Projects, and Outsourced Accounting and CFO Services. For more information go to their website at www.mercadien.com
Dr. Dan Balboni, Director of Psychology and Social Services at Matheny joined the Day Services Committee to discuss and answer questions about sexual health in the IDD population. If staff aren’t comfortable talking about this, they will never be able to help their clients– “If we are uncomfortable, they are uncomfortable.” He talked about the importance of separating feelings, which are always okay and should never be demonized, and actions and of communicating in a direct and concrete manner. After answering numerous questions he ended with, “they are just humans, going through human experiences.” Thanks Dan for a terrific session.
