[Nfbf-l] Fw: [fcb-l] Fw: [tabi] Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinkingabout if one agency should serve all disabilities...

Fri Dec 10 00:43:28 UTC 2010

Guys, this is being brought up again! I'm suprised the FCB got wind of this 
before NFBF! RJ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RJ Sandefur" <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
To: "Lisa Stark" <lstark43 at hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 8:21 AM
Subject: Fw: [fcb-l] Fw: [tabi] Gov Scott's Transition Team may be 
thinkingabout if one agency should serve all disabilities...


> Lisa, Do you think this one department would work? RJ
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Easy Talk" <easytalk at earthlink.net>
> To: <fcb-l at acb.org>
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 4:53 AM
> Subject: [fcb-l] Fw: [tabi] Gov Scott's Transition Team may be 
> thinkingabout if one agency should serve all disabilities...
>
>
>> Mr. Edwards, I think this needs immediate action on behalf of FCB.
>>
>> Here is a quote from the message and I don't know what magic they plan on 
>> using but this isn't the case and won't be.
>>
>> quote
>> . Multiple websites dedicated to the various waivers would be
>> reduced.to>one. This would
>> also create a more user friendly, accessible system of delivering
>> information. **g
>> Consolidating multiple call-centers for consumers and providers would
>> still allow calls to be channeled from one line directly to the
>> appropriate waiver specialist.
>>
>> Lets see, press 1 if you are blind, press 2 if you are hard of hearing, 
>> press 3 if you have a mental disability, press 4 if you have a spinal 
>> disability, press 5 if you have dyslexia, press 6 if you use a wheel 
>> chair and so on and so on.  Do you get my point.
>>
>> It also says this type of system has been successful in Illinois and 
>> Vermont, Ask Georgia what they think about a 1 stop shop and the mess 
>> they are going through to un do it.
>>
>> We have set on our buts to long and let the separate commission for the 
>> blind issue lay dormant to long.  Now is the time to act or it will be to 
>> late.  If you read this article you will see the plan is to act quickly 
>> so we don't have time to oppose it.
>>
>> Robert
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Lighthouse of the Big Bend" <lighthousebigbend at gmail.com>
>> To: <tabi at freelists.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 3:56 PM
>> Subject: [tabi] Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if one 
>> agency should serve all disabilities...
>>
>>
>>> Consumer groups of the Blind/VI may want to get involved, as it looks
>>> like Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about whether one
>>> agency should serve everyone with disabilities...
>>>
>>> 12-8-10
>>> Single Department Concept
>>> A New Service Delivery System for the 21St Century
>>>
>>> The purpose of this proposal is to illustrate a method by which
>>> Florida can create a single, efficient, consumer driven and community
>>> -- based service delivery system to provide services to the over 6
>>> million persons with disabilities in Florida. The ultimate goal is to
>>> reduce administrative costs and increase access to services and
>>> service dollars; create a more efficient, fraud resistant billing
>>> system and create an economic stimulus creating new private sector
>>> jobs.
>>> • Combining all of the programs and services for persons With
>>> disabilities, including the Florida Medicaid Waiver programs, under
>>> one department`-. will enable the State to move precious resources to
>>> actual service delivery for persons with:.disabilities and seniors
>>> across the disability spectrum and Recycle.
>>> • This department can have one point of entry with a standardized
>>> application, eligibility criteria, provider qualifications, and
>>> provider rates for all services and programs.
>>> • Creation of new jobs in the areas of core munity - based service
>>> delivery and fraud prevention methods. This would mean the recruitment
>>> of new entrepreneurial minded providers into the system statewide.
>>> To accomplish this goal, certain units can be removed from current
>>> departments and placed in
>>> the new departmental structure. Personnel requirements will then be
>>> determined, based on
>>> the overall organization. Departments effected:
>>> • Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA), the
>>> • Department of Health (DOH), the
>>> • Department of Children and Families (DCF), the
>>> • Department of Eider Affairs(CARES), the
>>> • Department of Education (Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of
>>> Blind Services), and
>>> • The Agency for„Persons with Disabilities
>>> As this new department is being physically formed, a new philosophy
>>> will also be nurtured. A philosophy of ingenuity, creativity, and an
>>> entrepreneurial spirit, where employees are encouraged to think
>>> "outside of the box" to solve the problems we will face in the coming
>>> years. We must encourage unique, public - private partnerships at
>>> every level, in order to maximize our precious resources. This
>>> includes private entity investment into not only service provision but
>>> employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. It is only
>>> through this "rebirth" of the physical and philosophical can we have a
>>> department that is truly responsive to our citizens.
>>>
>>> In Florida, every day over 6 million persons, with identified or
>>> self-reported disabilities study, live, play, and work. The vast
>>> majority of persons with disabilities can secure and maintain full or
>>> part -- time competitive employment. They exhibit more courage and
>>> fortitude daily than some people do in a lifetime. These Floridians do
>>> not want a hand out but a hand up, a chance to maximize their
>>> individual independence and to be as included in their community as
>>> they wish, This untapped resource of ready and willing potential
>>> employees should not be ignored.
>>>
>>> Having all disability programs and services, including Medicaid
>>> Waivers located within one department, will:
>>>
>>> Streamline the application, eligibility, and acceptance process for
>>> consumers and providers.
>>>
>>> Eliminate the "silo" effect, bringing all state organizations working
>>> with persons with disabilities under one organizational plan and chain
>>> of command.
>>>
>>> Reduce redundant administrative costs to include office space and
>>> other such equipment.
>>>
>>> Create new private sector opportunities for persons who become
>>> disabled as adults. Require anyone wishing to file for federal
>>> disability programs to register with Vocational Rehabilitation. Begin
>>> early working with the person focusing on ways to maximize his/her
>>> abilities. in many cases, it may be possible for the person with the
>>> disability to emerge with a better, more lucrative career.
>>>
>>> The department will maximize existing resources, such as using the
>>> Clearinghouse on Disability Information to:
>>> Maintain one website for all information on disabilities.
>>> Operate a single toll-free phone number with accessibility built into
>>> the system. Have a dedicated information referral system that not only
>>> serves consumers, but providers and other state agencies.
>>>
>>> ❖ Allow the department to standardize the processes to determine
>>> eligibility (one assessment instrument), provider qualifications and
>>> enrollment, service limitations, rates of pay, nursing home transition
>>> initiatives, etc.
>>>
>>> ❖ Reduce or maintain turnaround time in billing to enable providers to
>>> receive pay for services in a timely fashion, while cutting down on
>>> potential fraud.
>>>
>>> Through a coordinated, functional needs based system, all individuals
>>> with disabilities will have their needs assessed and identified by a
>>> Global Assessment with a single Case Plan.
>>>
>>> Bryan F. Vaughan, MS Executive Director Commission on Disabilities
>>>
>>> 1217/2010 Page 2 of 4
>>>
>>> •:• Adapt the existing iBudget algorithm across the disabilities
>>> spectrum to ensure a consistent and efficient distribution of scarce
>>> resources.
>>>
>>> :• Serve consumers and providers will be served in a timelier and more
>>> consistent manner statewide.
>>> One standardized assessment instrument to determine risk of
>>> institutionalization and eligibility for waiver services would ensure
>>> services are provided to those most in need and would reduce the
>>> number of individuals currently on wait lists for the various waivers.
>>> Provider qualifications and rate of pay will be consistent and allow
>>> them to serve all populations without having to apply to work with
>>> multiple waivers and organizations. The Legislature will only need to
>>> deal with one budget to fund all the waivers. The processes for being
>>> placed on a wait list will be standardized throughout all the
>>> individual waivers.
>>> Funding for community-based, long-term care services would be more
>>> equitable for each of the disability groups competing for limited
>>> resources.
>>>
>>>
>>> Note: Some agencies may be reluctant' to relinquish administration of
>>> their waiver programs. Consumers and providers currently being served
>>> by the various waivers may be impacted if service limitations and
>>> rates of pay are standardized. Use of the iBudget algorithm will
>>> ensure a person's needs are met in an effective manner. Some
>>> individual disability groups may be concerned about any change in the
>>> current structure which can be mitigated through an appropriate public
>>> information program.
>>> Evidence to Support Single Department
>>>
>>> The states of Illinois and Vermont have already gone to the single
>>> entity system with good results. Real Choice Systems Change Grant
>>> Program, Third Year Report: Progress and Challenges of the FY 2002 and
>>> FY 2003 Grantees: (October 1, 2003 -- September 30, 2004) Final
>>> Report.
>>> Consolidation
>>>
>>> The Governor's Commission on Disabilities, along with personnel from
>>> the effected departments, advocates, and providers could work towards
>>> the planning, development, and implementation of this single
>>> department.
>>>
>>> Planning & Timeline
>>> Planning could begin to consolidate all programs and services,
>>> including waivers under one department in the 2010 - 2011 fiscal year,
>>> with implementation occurring in an on-going basis. Full consolidation
>>> could take until the 2011 -- 2012 fiscal year.
>>> Estimated Potential Savings
>>> ❖ A coordinated waiver program would require fewer administrative
>>> staff, intake and referral staff, provider enrollment staff and fiscal
>>> staff to moriitorexpenditures.
>>> ❖ There would be a reduction in allocated office space, expenses;, and
>>> equipment allocations for personnel due to consolidation into one
>>> agency. Multiple websites dedicated to the various waivers would be
>>> reduced.to>one. This would
>>> also create a more user friendly, accessible system of delivering
>>> information. **g
>>> Consolidating multiple call-centers for consumers and providers would
>>> still allow calls to be channeled from one line directly to the
>>> appropriate waiver specialist.
>>>
>>>
>>> Florida currently has a great need for more community - based service
>>> providers. Partnerships with Colleges of Business at our State
>>> Universities, as well as the Chamber of Commerce for Persons with
>>> Disabilities, can promote an entrepreneurial effort to create these
>>> small provider businesses.
>>>
>>> To reduce fraud, a "call and verify" system can be included as part of
>>> the billing cycle. When a provider bills the department, a random
>>> verification system will identify a consumer to be called and asked if
>>> helshe has received the items or services as billed. This process will
>>> help prevent discrepancies and false claims as are potential risks
>>> under the current system. The
>>> department can either decide to use one or multiple verifying
>>> agencies. This can be performed by workers from home (enabling persons
>>> with disabilities, seniors, or others who are transportation
>>> disadvantaged) or a central location.
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Lighthouse of the Big Bend
>>> Guiding People Through Vision Loss
>>> 3071 Highland Oaks Terrace
>>> Tallahassee, FL 32301
>>> (850) 942-3658
>>> www.lighthousebigbend.org
>>> Check out the TABI resource web page at 
>>> http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI
>>> and please make suggestions for new material.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web 
>>> interface, or by sending an email to the address 
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>>
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>