September and October Visits

“Our goal is consistency.”  Office of Licensing Director and Chief, Kathy Patrick and Sean O’Brien joined representatives of the HR Forum to discuss the use of electronic records.  OOL does accept ER and is making efforts to be as flexible as possible given the fact that there are different platforms and different levels of comfort with technology among state staff.  OOL reviewed necessary parameters that would enable this to work which HRF felt were reasonable and manageable. In addition, OOL followed up on questions related to electronic submissions for Central Registry/CARI checks along with a protocol for verification of their confidentiality. Thanks to Director Patrick and Chief O’Brien for working with ABCD’s HRF.

Tashaya Daniels, Director of Easter Seals’ Agency with Choice (AWC) program joined the September Support Coordination Alliance to explain the details of how this financial management service takes on the responsibility of compliance, while retaining the individual’s control of their services and schedule. Tashaya also shared some important information for SCs on their website, including the list of vendors which are set up with the AWC program in addition to information focused solely on the SC. Tashaya has extensive experience with the IDD population including as a Support Coordinator – so she knows what she is talking about.

Though OPIA and provider agencies see the value in internal investigations for the growth and improvement of an agency, “Nobody likes the fact that agencies do their own (CIMU level) investigations,” reported OPIA Director, Deb Robinson at the September QA Forum. In addition, CMS now requires increased reporting by the state, specifically asking to see investigations, actions taken and action plans. Operational changes were discussed in addition to working out a process around issue which are labeled under “Citing Concerns.”  CIMU conducts 6,000 investigations a year.  “Need to tighten this up.” Our thanks to Director Robinson for joining the QA Forum; we look forward to working with her to improve the system of monitoring and oversight.

ABCD’s CFOO Forum welcomed Will Cooper, the new Chief Financial Officer for the Division of Developmental Disabilities to their meeting in Hamilton. Though only a few months on the job, Will has shown himself to be approachable, responsive, and sensitive to the community at large. We look forward to working with our new CFO and wish him all the best!