[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 13:58:06 UTC 2010

Well here's what I think.  

We've always stood for a distinct agency in both major blindness organizations.  

The incoming Scott administration is responding to what would seem to be common sense to the average citizen who means well but hasn't had experience dealing with a disability.  

The public needs to be reminded that consolidating agencies does no good in the long run if the services delivered become ineffective.  

Bill Outman 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of RJ Sandefur
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 7:51 PM
To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Fw: [fcb-l] Fw: [tabi] Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinkingabout if one agency should serve all disabilities...

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.
>>
>>
>>
>> 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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