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

[RJ Sandefur]

What do you think about this preposal?s
----- 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.
>>
>>
>>
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>
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