[Nfbf-l] Fwd: APD wants us all.
REPCODDS at aol.com
REPCODDS at aol.com
Fri Dec 10 16:23:56 UTC 2010
____________________________________
From: MisterAdvocate at aol.com
To: repcodds at aol.com
Sent: 12/10/2010 11:22:43 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: APD wants us all.
This is the first message I received. Joyce was at the meeting and she
and the chair of FILC spoke out against this nonsense.
Please pass this on to NFB folks and invite them to come on Monday at
8:00.
I will be sending out an email to you later with details.
Paul
From: robert kelly [mailto:robert at conklincenter.org]
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 4:00 PM
To: Edwards, Paul
Subject: Handout from APD Meeting 12-08-10 (3)
Paul, below is a document distributed by Bryan Vaughn, Executive Director
of the Governor's Commission on disabilities, at the APD Transition Team
meeting. I'll call you tomorrow at 8.
Mr. Vaughn is recommending that agencies serving disabled Floridians be
unified under one department. Recommendations by two of the six break out
groups addressed this issue. One group recommended unification and one group
recommended further study of the issue led by the governor's Commission on
disabilities.
While the name of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities implies this
agency represents all disabilities, the primary group served is individuals
with developmental delays. The Transition Team may not realize that APD does
not represent all disabilities.
____________________________________
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.
Creation of Private Sector Jobs
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.
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