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ballan posted on July 09, 2012 13:03
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Disability Policy Consortium Weekly Update
Dear Bill,
The "dog days" seem to be here early his year. Maybe there is something to that global warming stuff.
The summer schedule has slacken with the except of 4 MassHealth meetings this month and the ADA celebrations at Dunn State Park and on Boston's city Hall Plaza.
I'm heading to Maine. Have fun in the sun!
Bill Allan
Disability Policy Consortium
wfallan@dpcma.org| 617-542-3822
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Advocates Corner: Duals Advisory
Dear Duals Stakeholders,
I'm writing to let you know about an additional opportunity for consumer participation in the Duals Demonstration.
As you may know, on June 19, MassHealth issued a Request for Responses (RFR) from Integrated Care Organizations (ICOs) to participate in the Demonstration. EOHHS is issuing a separate RFR seeking the advice of up to six MassHealth members who are Consumers of medical services, behavioral health services and/or LTSS ("Consumer Consultants"). The selected Consumer Consultants will form a paid advisory subcommittee that shares its thoughts and expertise with EOHHS throughout the process of reviewing and evaluating the RFR responses that EOHHS receives from organizations seeking to be ICOs. .
Details about the qualifications, responsibilities, and requirements for Consumer Consultants are provided in the RFR, along with information on how individuals can submit responses. Individuals who are interested in serving as Consumer Consultants are asked to submit a short written statement, two references, and some other information to EOHHS. The deadline for responses is July 20, 2012 at 4 pm.
Editors Note: We have made the RFR available on our web site: Click this link
(If you would like assistance with the application, please email Bill Allan at wfallan@dpcma.org)
The RFR will also be posted on the Duals Demonstration website, www.mass.gov/masshealth/duals under "Related Information."
Any questions about the Consumer Consultant procurement should be directed to Geraldine Sobkowicz, Procurement Coordinator, at geraldine.sobkowicz@state.ma.us, or:
EOHHS
Attn: Geraldine Sobkowicz
One Ashburton Place, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 573-1678
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Advocate Corner: FY13 Cuts to Perkins and other schools
In the Conference Committee Budget the Massachusetts Legislature imposed a Tuition Freeze for Perkins School for the Blind and other Chapter 766 special education schools. This was not anticipated, since both the Governor and the House had approved a 2.13% cost of living tuition rate increase for Fiscal Year 2013.
This means that Perkins School for the Blind will receive
approximately $450,000 fewer dollars than had been expected. As a great friend and supporter of Perkins, you know that these are critical funds used to support services to some of the most vulnerable students in Massachusetts.
The freezing of tuition dollars impacts Perkins and all other Chapter 766 special education schools, their students, families and staff.
Statewide, $15 million fewer dollars will go to students with special needs! We need to make our voices heard. We need your immediate help with this critical issue.
The freezing of tuition dollars impacts Perkins and all other Chapter 766 special education schools, their students, families and staff.
Statewide, $15 million fewer dollars will go to students with special needs! We need to make our voices heard. We need your immediate help with this critical issue.
PLEASE Call or write today!
Simply make a call to the Governor's office at: 617-725-4005. Give your name and ask Governor Patrick to Veto Outside Section 169 - The
Rate Freeze for Chapter 766 Schools.
You could also email or fax a letter to the Governor.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Steven M. Rothstein, President
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Calendar: Duals Meeting
MassHealth will hold the next open public meeting on the Duals Demonstration. Details are as follows:
Monday July 9, (TODAY)
5:00-7:00 pm
State Transportation Building
Floor 2, Conference Rooms 2 and 3
10 Park Place, Boston
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
1:00-3:00 pm
EHS Center
500 Main Street, Hyannis
July 27, 2012
10 AM - 12 PM
State Transportation Building, Conference Rooms 1, 2 & 3,
10 Park Plaza,
Boston, MA
The purpose of this meeting will be to give an update on the Demonstration, and to focus on consumer issues. We welcome attendance from all stakeholders and members of the public with interest in this proposed Demonstration. Reasonable accommodations will be made for participants who need assistance. Please send your request for accommodations to Donna Kymalainen at Donna.Kymalainen@state.ma.us.
In addition, at our June 1 open meeting, MassHealth indicated that we were discussing with CMS a revised timeline for the demonstration. We would like to share with you some information on the updated timeline, which is also reflected in the RFR issued by MassHealth on June 19.
Key Target Dates
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RFR responses due
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July 30, 2012
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Anticipated date for ICO selection
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August 31, 2012
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Anticipated ICO contract execution date
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December 15, 2012
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Enrollment and outreach period begins
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January 2013
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First ICO self-selected enrollments effective
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April 1, 2013
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We look forward to meeting with you later this month.
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FY13 Budget: DMH Analysis
Department of Mental Health
FY 2013 Conference Budget
The Conference Committee report for FY2013 recommends $681,353,922 for DMH including collective bargaining negotiated increases. This represents a 2% increase over the House 2 including collective bargaining.
Federal spending is recommended at $2,901,353 and the budget's recommendation relies on DMH collecting $106,513,597 in non-tax revenue.
Conference Analysis
Highlights of the Recommendations:
- Conference funds the 5095-0015 (Hospital Services) $4.735,674 above House 2 including reserve draws. This is $400K less than required to meet directives contained within the line item language. The line item language directives require the department to maintain not less than 626 continuing care inpatient beds in its system in fiscal year 2013, and of the 626 beds, 45 beds shall be continuing care inpatient beds on the campus of Taunton State hospital until the commission established in section 186 of the outside sections submits its report to the General Court. Further the department is directed to allocate $100,000 for the purpose of hiring a consultant as established in section 186.
In addition within this line there is a directive requiring the secretary of housing and economic development, or a designee, and the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance, or a designee, to meet jointly with affected municipal officials and produce a plan for the timely demolition of buildings, remediation of hazardous materials and future use of the property, including disposition by the commonwealth for redevelopment or conservation, 180 days prior to closing an inpatient mental health facility.
- The 5011-0100 (Operations of the Department) account is funded $376,832 below House 2 recommendation including reserve draws. There is an additional $100K reduction to meet the directive of the line item requiring that not less than $100K be expended for the Stephanie Moulton Safety Symposium established in section 55 that amends chapter 19 of the general laws.
Included in this line item is the PAC'ing of the 5095-0017 account of section 2 of chapter 68 of the acts of 2011.
- Conference funds the 5042-5000 (Child Adolescent Services) $1,162, 840 below House 2 including reserve draws. This recommended funding level is intended to fully fund Chapter 257 for FY2013.
- The 5046-0000 (Mental Health Services) account is funded $701,065 above House 2 including reserve draws. This is $300K less than required to meet the directive contained within the line item language. The line item language requires the department to allocate $1M to clubhouses above fiscal year 2012 expenditures for clubhouse services.
- The 5055-0000 (Forensic Services) account is funded $856,710 below House 2 including reserve draws. This reduction hampers the department's ability to address retention/salary equity issues within the contracted court clinic staffing.
- Conference, under the Department of Housing and Community Development budget, maintains funding for the DMH rental subsidy line item 7004-9033 at the House 2 recommended funding level of $4,000,000.
Outside Sections:
SECTION 55 - Amends Section 1 of chapter 19 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, by adding that the department shall, on an annual basis, conduct a safety symposium known as the Stephanie Moulton Safety Symposium, which shall be a forum to discuss topics including, but not limited to, best safety practices and policies and risk management for community-based services.
SECTION 186 - Establishes an advisory committee for the purpose of arranging for and evaluating an independent analysis of the public and private behavioral health care services available to the residents of the commonwealth.
Within this section the advisory committee members are defined, as well as the scope of the report, the timeframes for response to the legislature and other required directives. Specifically that the department must maintain inpatient beds on the Taunton Campus until the report is filed.
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ADA Celebration: Boston
Mayor Thomas M. Menino
& the Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities
Invite you to celebrate...
The 22nd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
A.D.A. Celebration Day
A free event
For children, families,
& individuals of all abilities
Featuring a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the
New Accessible Path on City Hall Plaza
Plus an Advocacy Opportunity to meet your Elected Officials
Thursday, July 26, 2012
12 noon - 3 p.m.
Boston City Hall Plaza
No pre-registration necessary.
- But groups of 6 or more should notify Commission by email
All attendees must sign-in for food & t-shirts - available only while supplies last
For special accommodation requests, call 617-635-3682, or email disability@cityofboston.gov
For updated information, including possible weather cancellation, visit www.cityofboston.gov/disability
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| Calendar: MassHealth Meeting
Taunton
Public Forum to Identify the Concerns
of MassHealth Members with Disabilities
Join Christine Griffin, EOHHS Assistant Secretary and
Dr. Julian Harris, Medicaid Director
Monday, July 16, 2012
1:00-3:00 pm
Ricky Silvia Recreation Center at Taunton State Hospital
60 Hodges Avenue, Taunton
Parking available
This meeting is for
* people with disabilities
* family members of people with disabilities
* advocates
* community stakeholders active in disability rights
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