2020 Summer Edition

A NOTE FROM THE COORDINATORS:
So far in 2020, we are and will continue to face challenges in the midst of this pandemic. With direction from the MN Department of Human Services, following are some updates regarding how CDCS may be utilized and other helpful program updates and resources. We wish you all safety and health during this unprecedented time.
Kerry Volkers and Hanna Massey
 
 
COVID-19 AND CDCS:
 Remote Services: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a “Temporary expansion of remote support for HCBS Waivers” You can reference the bulletin here. In short, any personal support activities such as: caregiver relief; companionship; help with ADLs and IADLs; mobility and transfer support; and skill building may be done remotely. To find out more about what services can be provided remotely, click here.  Contact your case manager for approval and further questions.
 
Temporary overtime for staff:  In certain situations, limited overtime may be approvable, if there is a need related to the loss of staff during COVID-19, school closings/loss of summer programming, closure of day programming, etc.  This does not include paid parents of minors or spouses. Please contact your case manager if you find yourself in need of overtime.
 
Masks, other PPE, cleaning supplies, soap/hand sanitizer- These items needed due to COVID-19 are not allowable under CDCS, as the needs are due to the virus, NOT the disability.  FREE masks are available through The Mask Movement.
 
30% Exceptions Budget increases- If you receive the 20% or 30% exception to the budget methodology, and COVID-19 prohibits you from accessing the services you need due to closures of day programming, inability to access the behavioral supports needed, etc., the increase may still be approved and you may be able to re-allocate those funds temporarily to staffing in the home. Discuss with case manager.
 
Signatures – It is always best practice to sign documents certified electronically or handwritten. However, because face to face visits are not currently happening and/or some may face technology challenges, we will accept verbal or email approvals with a follow up signature page mailed to you  that must be signed and returned.

Latest info re: COVID-19 from MN Disability Services Division- For the latest information about services and the pandemic and information, go to  DHS – Latest information about COVID-19 from DSD.

 
BUDGET/STAFFING/WAGE UPDATES:
July COLA increase for AC/EW waivers: Effective 7/1/20, there was a legislative increase of 0.04% available to CDCS monthly budgets for Elderly Waiver and Alternative Care.  You should receive something in the mail from your case manager regarding the new budget amount with the prorated COLA applied.  To use these funds, contact your case manager. Note: There are no legislative increases for other any of the other CDCS disability waivers.

Shared Services allowed: Shared Services is a service that is provided at the same time by the same direct support worker to more than one CDCS participant and who has entered into an agreement to share CDCS services. See CDCS Policy for more detail. Form DHS-6633D must be completed by the case manager and participant. In the CDCS Plan, clearly identify what activities will be completed during shared services and address the safety of this staffing pattern. The shared staffing schedule is typically approved for some of the weekly support staff hours, but usually not all.
 
Customary and reasonable wage range for shared services for direct support staff is the SEIU minimum wage up to 1.5 times the staff’s 1:1 wage (E.g. 1:1 is $15/hr, 1:2 up to $22.5/hr). Anything above this requires more information and Waiver Advisory Committee Approval. For paid parent of minor shared services, it is a maximum of whatever the current PCA shared rate is (Current E.g. 1:2 wage is up to $26.72/hr. and 1:3 is up to $35.16/hr.). For more information, ask your case manager.
 
Wages for paid parent when participant turns 18 in the middle of plan year – Paid parent wages cannot exceed the current PCA rate while their child is under age 18. Some choose to keep the wage the same throughout the entire plan year. Others add a separate line to the plan in order to increase the wage when their child turns 18. This will require additional paperwork through the FMS and justification, as with any other staff, about why they should get paid higher than the max. PCA rate based on experience, training, and/or difficulty of care.
 
PROGRAM UPDATES:
Reminder of Updated Anoka County CDCS Guidelines and Expenditures:  The purpose of these guidelines is to provide guidance around the policies established by DHS.  You can find the updated guidelines on our website. Any new requests through Addendums or Renewals will follow the new guidelines. Be informed!
 
New Trainings soon to be online (by August 1, 2020) on our website at www.anoka.mn.us/anoka  including:

• Making Changes to Your CDCS CSP
• Increases to Your CDCS budget
• A More in Depth Look at Expense Categories
• Moving from Consumer Support Grant (CSG) to Waiver-CDCS
• SEIU Union Details & CDCS

And more to follow…
 
30% Exception to the Budget Methodology-Age requirement lifted for Employment- According to clarification from DHS, “Age/graduation requirement is not included in the 2017 legislative language. Lead agencies should keep in mind that waiver dollars may not be used to pay for services that can be funded by another source, so should not duplicate services school or transition aged youth or young adults receive through another state agency’s funding.”  In short, we should attempt to fund employment activities for those who are still in public education through school and Vocational Rehabilitation Services FIRST, but if those agencies cannot fund certain activities, the 30% bump can be accessed while someone is still in school as long as they access the support outside of school hours. Examples may include paying for summer employment opportunities and support or transportation, etc. See CDCS policy for more details. Contact your case manager to discuss whether you qualify.

Documentation Clarifications:
 Alternative therapy and training vs. adaptive activities – An Alternative or Speciailized Therapy/Training Form is needed annually for alternative therapies or specialized training in order for the acting MHCP physician to help determine that the therapy/training is not experimental, would help the person as it relates to an assessed need, and would not be harmful to the person. This form does not need to be completed for Adapted activities being utilized to work on a specific assessed need (e.g. adapted sports, adapted art, etc.).
Sensory items and/or equipment – often requires a professional recommendation to help determine which assessed need it is focusing on, cost effectiveness, and to help determine whether there is
duplication.
 
Temporary travel timeframes – Participants can be out of state for more the 30 days if staffing is still actively being used and other waiver requirements are being met. For more information click here and look under Out of State Services. This also includes out of state post-secondary information.
 
 
RESOURCES RECOMMENDED BY CDCS PARTICIPANTS:
Need More Staff?-Try these recruitment sites (All staff need to be hired through the FMS once secured)
Care.com https://www.care.com
DHS Direct Support Connect https://directsupportconnect.com/
Joshin Care https://joshin.com/medicaid-info-page
 
Future Life Options Program: A person centered planner through the ARC Minnesota, helps a person develop/create a life plan to help them reach their goals and achieve their dreams in life.  
 
Goally is an assistive device to help for kids with ADHD or autism to develop/track routines, behaviors, etc.
 
FreeWheel Attachment – An attachment to a wheelchair that transforms it into a 3 wheeled all terrain vehicle making it easier to travel through grass, snow, gravel, uneven surfaces, etc.
 
Autobrush – Dental technology for children that dislike or have difficulty brushing their teeth. Provides fast 30 second cleaning, teeth whitening, vibrations to battle plaques, and more.
 
Adaptive Sports and recreation opportunities. FREE. Click here.
 
MyPod - Enclosed personal pop up tent for Wheelchairs.
 
KickShoppe – Karate and kickboxing for kids with disabilities

Dose Health – Assistive technology for medication management, health reminders, and medical alerts.