BUDGET UP DATE

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc.
124 Marriott Drive, Suite 203, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-2981
Phone: (850) 488-4180 / (800) 580-7801
Fax: (850) 922-6702 TDD (850) 488-0956 / (888) 488-8633
Chairperson: Enrique Escallon / Executive Director: Debra Dowds www.fddc.org

April 30, 2008
Volume 7, Issue 6
Budget Update

The budget conference committees are over and the budget is on a 72 hour waiting period that is required by law.

Agency for Persons with Disabilities
House leaders fought valiantly for language that would modify tiers and for the House position on provider rates.

Most of the Senate positions for individuals with developmental disabilities prevailed and the Senate did not entertain new language that would have eased the implementation of the tiers.

The main APD final conference outcomes are as follows

Providers lose 43 million dollars with a 5.5 % cut.
Cost Plans will be frozen at the expenditure level plus 5% with certain exceptions.
Tier One remains uncapped
Fair Hearings remain in the Department of Administrative Hearings.
There was over 3 million dollars assigned for more people to do consumer assessments.

Early Steps
Extra non-recurring funding was provided to offset a pending federal reduction. There will be no reductions in Early Steps / Part C funding this year. Your calls and e-mails worked!


Medicaid Reform

The Senate did not agree to the House's push to expand the Medicaid Reform Pilot area to 9 additional counties, including Miami-Dade and Tampa Bay, by September 2010. That language was removed completely from the final version of the budget-related Medicaid bill. Barring any rogue amendments, it seems that there will be no Medicaid reform expansion approved this Session. Proviso language authorizing the Agency for Health Care Administration to use unobligated surplus Medicaid funds to prepare for expansion into Miami-Dade was also removed.

Neither the weak improvements to Reform proposed by Rep. Bean that were incorporated into the House's Medicaid language, nor the stronger ones proposed by advocates, ended up in the final version. However, the provision that authorizes the Governor, House Speaker and Senate President to form workgroups to investigate alternative health care reforms, particularly including alternatives to Medicaid Reform, was not a conference issue and is in the final version of the bill.

SB 2684 - Relating to Optional Payments for Medical Assistance-Crist
Summary - Optional Payments for Medical Assistance; This bill provides for Medicaid eligibility for certain persons with disabilities under a Medicaid buy-in program, subject to specific federal authorization. This program would allow people with disabilities to go back to work without fear of losing their Medicaid, as long as they share in paying for their Medicaid services.

Actions
03/20/08 - SENATE - Referred to Health Policy; Children, Families and Elder Affairs and Health and Human Services Appropriations 04/15/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Health Policy; 6 Yeas, 0 Nays 04/16/08 - SENATE - Now in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Identical Bill
HB 1311 - Relating to Optional Payments for Medical Assistance -Reed
03/07/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Healthcare Council; Policy & Budget Council
03/13/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Committee on Health Innovation by Healthcare Council

SB 2654 - Relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder - Geller

Summary - General Autism Spectrum Disorder; The "Window of Opportunity Act" would require health insurance plans to provide coverage for screening, diagnosis, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder in certain children. The bill prohibits an insurer from denying or refusing coverage or refusing to renew or reissue or terminate coverage based on a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder .The bill includes training provisions for child care personnel and procedures for early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/01/2009.

Actions
03/13/08 - SENATE - Referred to Banking and Insurance; Health Policy; Health and Human Services Appropriations;
03/18/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Banking and Insurance; 8 Yeas, 0 Nays
03/20/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C1) Filed
04/01/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Health Policy; 6 Yeas, 0 Nays
04/03/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C1) Filed 04/10/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Health and Human Services Appropriations; 4 Yeas, 0 Nays
04/11/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C3) Filed
04/14/08 - SENATE - Placed on Calendar, on second reading
04/17/08 - SENATE - Placed on Special Order Calendar for
04/23/08 04/23/08 - SENATE - Read Second Time; Amendment Withdrawn (979934); Amendments Adopted (454676, 687410); Read Third Time; Passed (Vote: 39 Yeas / 0 Nays); Immediately Certified; In House Messages; Engrossed Text (E1) Filed
04/28/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Calendar

Compare Bill
HB 1291 - Relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder - Porth
This bill includes additional language that requires training provisions for child care personnel and procedures for early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
03/07/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Healthcare Council; Policy & Budget Council
03/18/08 - HOUSE - Favorable with 1 Amendment by Health Innovation; 4 Yeas, 3 Nays 04/02/08 - HOUSE - Now in Healthcare Council

HB 7153 - Relating to Children with Disabilities by Healthcare Council

Summary - This bill is an alternative to the Senate bill that emphasizes using state services rather than mandating insurance providers to cover Autism Spectrum Disorders. The bill includes all children with disabilities and is the product of the House Select Committee on Autism and Developmental Disorders.

Actions 0
4/25/08 - HOUSE - Filed (formerly PCB HCC27)


HB 739 - Relating to Guardian Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities-Ambler

Summary - Guardian Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: This bill provides a list of persons from which the court must select a guardian advocate and provides that the guardian advocate need not be represented by an attorney. It revises requirements for petition seeking appointment of a guardian advocate and modifies who may be appointed counsel to person with developmental disabilities. It also revises powers and duties of the guardian advocate with respect to financial accounting requirements.

Actions
02/06/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Healthcare Council; Policy & Budget Council
03/04/08 - HOUSE - Favorable with 1 Amendment by Healthy Families; 9 Yeas, 0 Nays 04/01/08 - HOUSE - Favorable with CS by Healthcare Council; 18 Yeas, 0 Nays
04/10/08 - HOUSE - Council Substitute (C1) Filed
04/14/08 - HOUSE - Placed on Calendar, on second reading
04/23/08 - HOUSE - Placed on Special Order Calendar for
04/25/08 04/25/08 - HOUSE - Read Second Time; Amendment Withdrawn (198899); Amendment Adopted (176947); Ordered engrossed; Engrossed Text (E1) Filed

Similar

SB 688-Relating to Developmentally Disabled/Guardian Advocates - Crist
01/09/08 - SENATE - Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Judiciary; Health and Human Services Appropriations
02/20/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; 7 Yeas, 0 Nays 03/25/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Judiciary; 10 Yeas, 0 Nays
03/27/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C1) Filed
04/22/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Health and Human Services Appropriations; 5 Yeas, 0 Nays
04/24/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C2) Filed; placed on calendar, on second reading 04/25/08 - SENATE - Placed on Special Order Calendar for 04/28/08


SB 2028 - Relating to Disabled School Students/Discipline - Duetch
Summary - Disabled School Students/Discipline [SPCC]-This bill requires the training of school personnel concernning procedures for safely restraining students with disabilities in an emergency. Prohibits school personnel from restraining a student with disabilities for a behavioral intervention or when the student is prone. The bill also provides for parental notification of incidents of restraint and provides for an outside review committee.

Actions
02/27/08 - SENATE - Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

Identical Bills
HB 1139 - Relating to Discipline of Students with Disabilities by Bucher 03/02/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Schools & Learning Council

HB 1319 - Relating to Medicaid Utilization Management Program - Roberson

Summary - General Medicaid Utilization Management Program-The bill deletes the provision requiring the Agency for Health Care Administration to develop and implement utilization management programs for Medicaid-eligible recipients for management of occupational, physical, respiratory, & speech therapies. There currently are plans to put therapy services for children age 0-21 into for-profit managed care. This bill would terminate those plans.

Actions
03/07/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Healthcare Council; Policy & Budget Council
03/13/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Committee on Health Innovation by Healthcare Council

Identical Bills
SB 2238 - Relating to Medicaid Utilization Management Program by Garcia
03/07/08 - SENATE - Referred to Health Policy; Health Regulation; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Health and Human Services Appropriations

HB 91 - Relating to Disability History and Awareness -Richardson Cosponsors: Galvano, Kendrick, Kriseman, Sachs, Skidmore, Zapata

Summary - General Disability History and Awareness-This bill authorizes district school boards to designate "Disability History and Awareness Weeks" during the first 2 weeks in October each year. The bill provides for students in all K-12 public schools to be provided disability history and awareness instruction. Encourages state postsecondary institutions to conduct and promote activities related to disability history and awareness.

Actions
09/17/07 - HOUSE - Referred to Schools & Learning Council; Policy & Budget Council
01/24/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Committee on K-12 by Schools & Learning Council
03/18/08 - HOUSE - Favorable with 1 Amendment by K-12; 8 Yeas, 1 Nay
04/08/08 - HOUSE - Favorable with CS by Schools & Learning Council; 14 Yeas, 0 Nays 04/10/08 - HOUSE - Committee Substitute (C1) Filed
04/14/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Calendar

Similar
SB 856 - Relating to Disability History and Awareness Pilot Project - Fasano CS Sponsors: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
01/24/08 - SENATE - Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
02/20/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Education Pre-K - 12; 5 Yeas, 0 Nays
03/19/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; 7 Yeas, 0 Nays
03/20/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C1) Filed
03/21/08 - SENATE - Now in Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations
04/10/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations; 5 Yeas, 0 Nays 04/11/08 - SENATE - Placed on Calendar, on second reading
04/15/08 - SENATE - Placed on Special Order Calendar for
04/17/08 04/17/08 - SENATE - Read Second Time; Amendment(s) Adopted (269978); Ordered engrossed
04/23/08 - SENATE - Read Third Time; Passed (Vote: 39 Yeas / 0 Nays)
04/24/08 - HOUSE - In Messages
04/28/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Calendar

SB 110 - Relating to Disability History and Awareness Weeks by Fasano Cosponsors: Bullard (L)

Summary - Resolution Disability History and Awareness Weeks; Recognizes October 1-15, 2008, as "Disability History and Awareness Weeks" and encourages public schools and universities to provide instruction on disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement, etc.

Actions
04/02/08 - SENATE - Read Second time; Adopted

SB 1570 - Relating to Medicaid Managed Care Pilot Program - Lynn

Summary - General Medicaid Managed Care Pilot Program. This bill provides exceptions to mandatory enrollment in the Medicaid managed care pilot program and provides for expiration of such exceptions. The bill requires the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to take on additional powers, duties, and responsibilities with respect to the pilot program. This bill requires that AHCA provide Medicaid recipients with certain information, such as, planned standards for granting services in excess of the plan's service caps. The language states that" Persons with developmental disabilities as defined by s.393.063 (9), children found to be dependent pursuant to s. 39.01(14), persons with severe and persistent mental illness, and recipients who meet the institutional or "ICP" level of care required for Medicaid nursing home care or enrollment in a Medicaid home-based or community-based waiver are excluded from mandatory enrollment in the pilot program until the service delivery systems described in the current statute have been developed and evaluated for a period of at least 1 year and until the Legislature expressly authorizes their mandatory enrollment.

Actions
02/21/08 - SENATE - Referred to Health Policy; Health Regulation; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Health and Human Services Appropriations
03/19/08 - SENATE - Favorable with 4 Amendments by Health Policy; 7 Yeas, 0 Nays 03/20/08 - SENATE - Now in Health Regulation

SB 366 - Relating to Elderly Persons and Disabled Adults/Abuse & Neglect - Margolis Cosponsors: Fasano, Bullard (L)

Summary - General Elderly Persons and Disabled Adults/Abuse and Neglect This bill reclassifies the offense of aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony. This bill also requires certified law enforcement officers to complete training in identifying and investigating elder abuse and neglect before June 30, 2011.

Actions
11/28/07 - SENATE - Referred to Criminal Justice; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations
02/06/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Criminal Justice; 9 Yeas, 0 Nays
03/19/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; 7 Yeas, 0 Nays 04/03/08 - SENATE - Withdrawn from Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations; Placed on Calendar, on second reading
04/08/08 SENATE Placed on Special Order Calendar for 04/10/08
04/10/08 - SENATE - Read Second Time 0
4/16/08 - SENATE - Read Third Time; Passed (Vote: 39 Yeas / 0 Nays)
04/17/08 - HOUSE - In Messages

Identical Bill
HB 233 - Relating to Elderly Persons and Disabled Adults - Anderson Cosponsors: Ambler, Heller, Holder, Porth, Sachs
12/12/07 - HOUSE - Referred to Safety & Security Council; Policy & Budget Council
02/06/08 - HOUSE - Favorable by Homeland Security & Public Safety; 7 Yeas, 0 Nays 02/20/08 - HOUSE - Favorable by Safety & Security Council; 12 Yeas, 0 Nays; Now in Policy & Budget Council
03/18/08 - HOUSE - Favorable by Policy & Budget Council; 32 Yeas, 0 Nays
03/19/08 - HOUSE - Placed on Calendar, on second reading.

SB 788 - Relating to Transportation Disadvantaged/Services - by Fasano

Summary - General Transportation Disadvantaged/Services -This bill revises the number of members required for a quorum at a meeting of the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged and revises responsibilities for the commission. The bill requires the commission to incur expenses for the purchase of advertisements, marketing services, and promotional items. The bill revises and creates duties and responsibilities for agencies that purchase transportation services for the transportation disadvantaged.

Actions
01/24/08 - SENATE - Referred to Transportation; Community Affairs; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
03/04/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Transportation; 7 Yeas, 0 Nays
03/13/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Community Affairs; 9 Yeas, 0 Nays; Now in Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
03/24/08 - SENATE - Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Meeting canceled, 03/24/08, 4:30 pm; On Committee agenda - Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations, 03/25/08, 3:00 pm, 309 C
03/25/08 - SENATE - Temporarily postponed by Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
03/28/08 - SENATE - On Committee agenda - Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations, 04/02/08, 8:30 am, 309 C
04/02/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations; 5 Yeas, 0 Nays
04/03/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C1) Filed
04/14/08 - SENATE - Reference to Health and Human Services Appropriations added; remaining references: Health and Human Services Appropriations;
04/22/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Health and Human Services Appropriations; 5 Yeas, 0 Nays; Committee Substitute (C2) Filed
04/23/08 - SENATE - Placed on Calendar, on second reading; Placed on Special Order Calendar for 04/25/08
04/25/08 SENATE Read Second Time; Substituted for HB 1175; Laid on Table, Refer to HB 1175

Similar Bill
HB 1175 - Relating to Transportation Disadvantaged Services - by Robaina0
3/05/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Healthcare Council; Policy & Budget Council 0
3/13/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Committee on Health Innovation by Healthcare
04/04/08 - HOUSE - Referral revoked from Committee on Health Innovation by Healthcare Council 0
4/08/08 - HOUSE - Favorable with CS by Healthcare Council; 18 Yeas, 0 Nays
04/14/08 - HOUSE - Committee Substitute (C1) Filed;
04/15/08 - HOUSE - Favorable with CS by Policy & Budget Council; 34 Yeas, 0 Nays; Placed on Calendar, on second reading; Placed on Special Order Calendar for
04/17/08 04/17/08 - HOUSE - Read Second Time; Amendment Withdrawn (800709) 04/18/08 - HOUSE - Read Third Time; Passed (Vote: 109 Yeas / 0 Nays)
04/22/08 - SENATE - In Messages
04/24/08 - SENATE - Received, Referred to Transportation; Community Affairs; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
04/25/08 - SENATE - Withdrawn from Transportation; Community Affairs; Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations; Substituted for SB 0788; Read Second Time; Amendments Adopted (228096

SB 1954 - Relating to Developmental Disabilities by Rich CS Sponsors: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary - Agency for Persons with Disabilities 2008 legislative package.

This bill revises the term "developmental disabilities institution" to be known as a "developmental disabilities center." It revises provisions regarding background screening of direct service providers. It also provides additional grounds for denying, suspending, or revoking a license, and imposing a fine against a provider serving clients of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities if the licensure applicant or licensee has been verified by the caregiver responsible for abuse, neglect, or abandonment of a child; abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult; or previously had a license revoked by APD, the Agency for Health Care Administration, or DCF.

Actions
02/27/08 - SENATE - Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Health Regulation; Health and Human Services Appropriations
03/26/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; 6 Yeas, 0 Nays
03/28/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C1) Filed 04/08/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Health Regulation; 7 Yeas, 0 Nays
04/15/08 - SENATE - Favorable by Health and Human Services Appropriations; 3 Yeas, 0 Nays
04/16/08 - SENATE - Placed on Calendar, on second reading
04/22/08 - SENATE - Placed on Special Order Calendar for 04/24/08
04/24/08 - SENATE - Read Second Time; Temporarily Postponed on Second Reading; Placed on Special Order Calendar for 04/25/08
04/25/08 - SENATE - Temporarily Postponed on Second Reading; Placed on Special Order Calendar for 04/28/08

Similar Bill
HB 7075 - Relating to Developmental Disabilities - Healthcare Council, Galvano Summary - General Developmental Disabilities: Revises exemption from certain requirements for refingerprinting & rescreening; provides circumstances under which APD may deny, revoke, or suspend license or impose fine; authorizes direct service providers to administer certain prescription medications to clients with developmental disabilities; authorizes sheriff to transport defendant determined incompetent to proceed due to retardation or autism to county jail pending court appearance at competency hearing held within specified period of time.
Actions
04/07/08 - HOUSE - filed (formerly PCB HCC25)
04/08/08 - HOUSE - Referred to Calendar
04/15/08 - HOUSE - Placed on Special Order Calendar for 04/17/08
04/17/08 - HOUSE - Read Second Time 04/18/08 - HOUSE - temporarily postponed, on Third Reading
04/19/08 - HOUSE - Read Third Time; Passed (Vote: 109 Yeas / 0 Nays)
04/22/08 - SENATE - In Messages 04/24/08 - SENATE - Received, referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Health Regulation; Health and Human Services Appropriations

SB 862 - Relating to Developmental Disabilities Institutions - Fasano Cosponsors: Lynn CS Sponsors: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary - Developmental Disabilities Institutions. This bill requires the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to submit a report containing a detailed plan to the Governor and the Legislature if the agency proposes to close, or reduce by 20 percent or more, the resident population of the Marianna Sunland or the Tacachale developmental disabilities institutions.

Actions
01/24/08 - SENATE - Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Health and Human Services Appropriations
02/20/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; 7 Yeas, 0 Nays
02/22/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C1) Filed
03/03/08 - SENATE - Reference to Governmental Operations added; Remaining references: Governmental Operations; Health and Human Services Appropriations; Now in Governmental Operations
04/17/08 - SENATE - Favorable with CS by Governmental Operations; 6 Yeas, 0 Nays 04/18/08 - SENATE - Committee Substitute (C2) Filed
04/21/08 - SENATE - Now in Health and Human Services Appropriations

Identical Bills
HB 0333 - Relating to Developmental Disabilities Institutions by Nehr
03/31/08 - HOUSE - Placed on Calendar, on second reading
04/15/08 - HOUSE - Placed on Special Order Calendar for 04/17/08
04/17/08 - HOUSE - Read Second Time; Amendment Adopted (079267); Engrossed Text (E1) Filed 04/18/08 - HOUSE - Read Third Time; Passed (Vote: 107 Yeas / 0 Nays)
04/22/08 - SENATE - In Messages

Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc.
124 Marriott Drive, Suite 203, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-2981Phone: (850) 488-4180 / (800) 580-7801 ~ Fax: (850) 922-6702 TDD (850) 488-0956 / (888) 488-8633 Chairperson: Enrique Escallon / Executive Director: Debra Dowds www.fddc.org

Autism Information Evening, May 18th 2008 in New Port Richey, FL

Autism Information Evening
Benefit & Reception
Assemble with us to see the beginning of a miracle!
Sunday, May 18th, 4:00-5:30 PM
4719 Voorhees Road, New Port Richey
Please join us for a video presentation about autism in its various forms, and the challenges and heartbreak that accompany it. Learn that a child’s potential does not have to end with the diagnosis of autism, that it is not a "life sentence". Watch as professionals and volunteers at the Autism Treatment Center in Sheffield, Massachusetts gently guide parents toward a new understanding of their autistic child’s condition, one that will enable them to help the child find his own way to full recovery from this isolating disease.
For fifteen months Topher Fraser was an alert, observant, and responsive baby. Then his personality abruptly changed, and he became isolated in a world that no one else could understand or enter. His budding communication skills were stolen from him, and he was reduced to a single form of communication – screaming. Topher was diagnosed with autism.
Autism is a developmental disability which causes challenges in language, communication, emotion, cognition, behavior and social interaction. Topher’s mom, Cherise Fraser, is helping him overcome his autism with dietary intervention, speech and occupational therapy, and a special class at school. The next step is to incorporate the home-based, child-centered Son-Rise® program.
Can you help to make a difference in Topher’s life? Please come to this Benefit event with an open heart and help us raise the necessary funds to empower and equip Topher for his journey to a full recovery from autism.
There are 3 ways you can help!
Financial Support – Help us reach our goal!
Volunteer – Come and be a part of Topher’s program! Training is provided.
Host an event of your own or help our family with regular everyday chores (make dinner, etc)
Questions? Need directions? Please contact me; I’d love to hear from you!
Cherise Fraser (Topher’s mommy):
Home: 727-868-4050 Cell: 813-727-4673 E-mail: cherisefraser@yahoo.com

NoWait

From NOEWAIT
NOEWAIT - The National Organization to End the Waitlist through Advocacy, Information and Transformation...Dedicated to ending national waitlists for services for adults with Developmental Disabilities through ADVOCACY within the political system, the sharing of INFORMATION from all sources, and the TRANSFORMATION of the laws, leading to all individuals with Developmental Disabilities receiving appropriate services of their choice within the community.Waitlists for services for adults with developmental disabilities are a national disgrace. Some states have over 100,000 individuals with extreme needs waiting for services. Yet, individuals in each state are fighting for services on a person-by-person, county-by-county and state-by-state basis. There seems to be no national awareness nor coordination, yet this is truly a national issue.The moderator, Denver C. Fox, Ed.D., is a parent of two adult children with profound disabilities. He is the moderator of the Colorado listserv, Parents of Adults with Disabilities. Dr. Fox has been very active in the Colorado attempt to reduce the waitlists for about 7,000 adults with developmental disabilities in the Colorado system. This listserv is open to all parents, friends, individuals with disabilities, professionals, politicians, governmental employees and others, and is designed to gather information about the extent of the waitlist in each state, to find out what attempts are being made to solve that problem within each state, and to develop a national agenda regarding ending the disgraceful waitlists.Please contact DnvrFox@aol.com to join this listserv
PLEASE COPY, PASTE AND PASS THIS ON!

Spring Fling - Fun For All

THIS DANCE WILL BE FUN FOR ALL

March 30,2008 6:00 - 9:00 pm Citrus Hills lodge
Dj Fmb Productions Raymond Briercheck

Tuscany on the Meadows
350 E Norvell Bryant Highway, Hernando, FL, 34442-4776, United States

New beginning Fellowship
Moving Mountians Inc.
food by Chef Ken Roix
We are asking if you could bring finger food.
Such as sandwiches, deserts, cookies or use your imagination!!

For more info
726 - 5626
$ 5.00 admission

The Memory Keepers Daughter- April 12, 2008

Tonight on Lifetime!!!

Description: The birth of a child should be the happiest moment in a couple's life. But when a doctor's wife has twins, one of whom has Down syndrome, this physician makes the difficult decision to send one of his babies away. An attending nurse discovers his plan and intervenes, putting into motion events that will haunt the doc, his wife and his son for the next 20 years. This all-star movie features Dermot Mulroney ("The Wedding Date"), Gretchen Mol ("3:10 to Yuma") and two-time Oscar nominee Emily Watson ("Angela's Ashes"). Based on The New York Times best-selling novel, Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards.

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=31125995

Expert Billing & More, Inc

Documentation Requirements / APD / Delmarva

We’ve mentioned documentation requirements several times in past newsletters; however, a lot of providers have been cited recently for inadequate documentation during their Delmarva reviews. As a courtesy, this newsletter will focus on provider responsibilities with regard to documentation. However, this info should not be used as your only source as it only focuses on a few guidelines.

Whether you are a long time provider or a brand new one, you are responsible to adhere to the guidelines in the DD Waiver Handbook for the services you provide. Failure to comply with the guidelines could result in recoupment, and for continual non-compliance, possible decertification.

We strongly encourage all providers to attend trainings offered by your local APD office. Some areas even have a Delmarva liaison that is willing to meet with providers to review procedures and documentation and offer suggestions for improvement. We also strongly encourage all providers to review the most current Handbook (current Handbook is dated June 23, 2005) which can be downloaded from the EDI website. As a reminder, new changes are in the works so it is imperative that providers stay in the loop and when the new Handbook is promulgated, download the new Handbook and immediately implement any changes that affect the services you provide.

The Handbook clearly outlines the following for each service:

ð Description of service – if you are unaware of what your service entails, this is where you would find out about it. As a suggestion, even if you think you know the details of your service, read this section because you could have been given incorrect information and if you provide a service outside of the description noted in the Handbook you could be targeted for recoupment. (This will be especially important when the new Handbook is promulgated because several services are being changed significantly.)

ð Limitations – this section details the limitations of the services you provide; i.e., limited to a certain number of quarter hours per day or month or a service must be provided in the community. As a suggestion, even if you think you know the limitations of your service, read this section because you could have been given incorrect information and if you provide a service outside of the limitations noted in the Handbook you could be targeted for recoupment. (This will be especially important when the new Handbook is promulgated because several services are being changed significantly.)

ð Documentation Requirements – this section details the documentation required for the services you provide. Each service has different documentation requirements but the one consistent item for all services is a copy of the claims submitted or payment. For billing purposes with Expert Billing this would also be considered the invoice you submit to us for processing.

ð Place of Service – this section details where a service must be performed, i.e., in the community. As a suggestion, even if you think you know the where you are eligible to provide your service, read this section because you could have been given incorrect information and if you provide a service where it is not allowed, you could be targeted for recoupment. (This will be especially important when the new Handbook is promulgated because several services are being changed significantly.)

ð Special Considerations – this section details any special considerations such as providing the service to more than one individual at a time and reducing the rate based on the client to staff ratio.

As a courtesy, Expert Billing has provided “generic” invoices for providers that choose to use them. However, it is still the provider’s responsibility to ensure that all required information is included on the invoice. For providers that create their own invoices, the required information must still be included for auditing purposes.

As described in the Handbook, billing documentation must include the following information:
ð Client full name
ð Client social security number
ð Client Medicaid number
ð Provider name
ð Provider Medicaid number
ð Service name
ð Service procedure code
ð Dates service was provided
ð Service times and how many units billed on each day
ð Total billed for the period submitted

There may be other information required depending on the service you provide; however, the info listed above is consistent with every service.

The confusion seems to come into play when a provider does not provide all required documentation for auditing purposes or it is not labeled correctly.

For example, if you provide Companion services, the required documentation as described in the Handbook is:

ð Copy of claims submitted for payment (invoice)
ð Copy of service log

If you do not provide both items listed above, you are out of compliance. Each item listed above has its own requirements so you need to be sure that the required information is on ALL documents as described in the Handbook.

If a provider does not complete the exact times the service was provided on the invoice, then the service log must have it. Same with client Medicaid number, procedure code, etc. if it is not on the invoice, it must be on the service log or you are out of compliance. Some providers choose to only include billing info on the invoice and service delivery info on the service log, which is okay as long as both documents are presented together as “billing documentation” and all the required info is present.

It is also recommended that each document be labeled correctly, i.e., “Invoice” or “Service Log”. This way there is no confusion for the reviewer.

PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE AUDITING REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPERT BILLING’S REQUIREMENTS.

ALL EXPERT BILLING NEEDS IS AN INVOICE WITH THE ITEMS NOTED ABOVE.

Please Help Rainbow Kids Daycare.

FUNDRAISER AT DUFFY’S

Monday
APRIL 28, 2008
FROM 5 P.M. ---- 8 P. M.

ALL PROCEEDS BENNEFIT:
RAINBOW KIDS DAYCARE INC.

RAFFLE PRIZES:
50 / 50 RAFFLE:

FOR MORE INFO:
CALL JOSH AT 561-506-0284

ADDRESS: 1608 N. W. COURTYARD CIRCLE
PORT SAINT LUCIE, FL. 34986

The Family Cafe Needs Your Help!!!

Dear Friends,

We need your help! The Family Café recently learned that all funding for The 11th Annual Family Café Conference in 2009 has been cut from the House budget. That means that State of Florida funding for next year’s Annual Conference has been completely CUT!

It goes without saying that this is completely unacceptable for the thousands of families that look to The Family Café for training, information and support. The Annual Conference has benefited tens of thousands of Floridians over the last ten years, and people with disabilities in communities throughout the state look forward to the opportunity to gather, share their experiences, and learn about available services, and develop resources that the Annual Conference provides.

The Family Café Annual Conference is a worthwhile use of state money, please contact your state legislator today and let them know how important the Annual Conference is to you and your community.

People with disabilities and their families have a powerful voice when we speak in unison. If we come together to raise that voice in the name of making sure The Family Café Annual Conference continues to provide all of the education, information and community that it has in past, we can certainly convince the State of Florida to provide the resources we need to serve families like yours.

Here are some facts to keep in mind when you speak with your Legislators:
The Family Café Annual Conference serves 10,000 individuals with disabilities and their family members from all regions of Florida each year.

The Family Café has served more than 85,000 Floridians over its ten year history.
The Annual Conference provides critical information and resources to Floridians on waiting lists, which comprise approximately 20% of all conference attendees.
The Annual Conference is a great value for Florida, with a cost of only $2.23 for each hour of training for each individual at the event.

To find your State Senator online, visit www.flsenate.gov and enter your zip code.
To find your State Representative, visit http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx and enter your zip code.

Please take a moment to call, write or e-mail your Senators and Representatives. Remember to tell them how essential it is for the Legislature to fund The Family Café Annual Conference. Let them know how important it is to you personally and how it has positively affected your life. They need to hear about the impact the Annual Conference has had on your family’s life!
It would also be helpful for you to contact one of our greatest supporters in the Florida House of Representatives, Rep. Bill Galvano, whether or not you live in his area. Please make a point to thank him for his work on our behalf, and express the need for his continued leadership. His Tallahassee office can be reached at 850-488-4086, his Bradenton office is at 941-708-4968.
Thank you very much for all of your efforts on our behalf. We here at The Family Café consider all of the people that come to our event to be part of our extended family, and we hope you feel the same way. We want to keep bringing information, resources and togetherness that has made our past Annual Conferences so worthwhile. Anything you can do to make that possible would be welcomed.

Thank you, The Family Café

IPUT Hernando Couty Mom's Night Out

I received this email and thought it was a nice idea and hope many of you will support and join them for a nice night out. Aaron Nangle

IPUT presents our 1st Hernando County Mom’s Night Out!!!!
Please join us to have a Meet and Greet and have a dinner out on Thursday, April 17th from 7:30-9:30 at the;

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill in Brooksville20090 Cortez BlvdBrooksville, FL 34601
(352) 796-4454

My name is Gina Hammons, I am a Mom of 2 lovely children, our son is 13 years old and has Autism, and our daughter is a Gifted 10 year old student here in Hernando County, we just moved to the Spring Hill area last year. I am a volunteer parent advocate and we run a non profit support organization called IPUT. IPUT is Informed Parents United Together. We share info on upcoming trainings, educational updates and more; we are an advocacy organization for children and adults with disabilities. We would love to meet some fellow Moms from the area who are looking to connect for support, or to come out and chat and have fun! If you are interested please contact Gina Hammons at 352-683-9994 or email me at the web site www.iput.org or Ginahammons@iput.org! Looking forward to meeting everyone!!! Everyone welcome feel free to contact us even if you can’t make it out this month, we are trying to get together at least once a month for dinner and chat!