Collier Tynes provided legislative update:
Regular legislative session starts Feb 6, 2024. The Commissioner's budget presentation will be held Feb 5th at 2pm at the State House (it will be live streamed). Governor's State of the State address will be the evening of Feb 6th.
The Legislative session will pause for two spring breaks March 10-16 and March 24-30. Last possible legislative day is May 21st.
Pre-filed bills: Rep. Leigh Hulsey - Sensory Training for fire fighters/fire personnel (She sponsored same bill for police personnel last session).
Also three Absentee Voting Bills (SB1, HB12, HB23) does include language ADMH negotiated that exempted people w/ disabilities so they can be provided assistance.
James Tucker reported that ADAP has flagged the boarding homes issues. Legislation will need to be filed to ensure some type of certification/oversight for boarding homes throughout the state.
Abuse Registry - Jacob Dubin (ADMH legal division) spoke w/ DHR. DHR is at a 7-10 days turn around. They are returning 60% a day due to illegible handwriting on the forms. DeAnna Ferguson and Kathy West stressed that the lag time was not acceptable. DHR assured the work group that Jacob and Grayson will reach out to DHR to further discuss.
Ram Kandula stated that Therap is working on customization of modules, particularly related to the Person-Centered Plan modules so it can be integrated for collaboration between the oversight account, support coordination accounts, & provider accounts. Seeing a 3-4 month delay in implementation timeline.
Therap workgroups: Intake & wait list module; Provider & Support Coordination Workgroups will resume after the holidays. There are two new work groups: ISP workgroup & Billing workgroups will be meeting after the holidays. 5 modules are now live: GERs, T-logs, Healthcare Tracking, Time Tracking, IDFS Comms, & EVV.
Associate Commissioner's Update: New Support Coordinator rates have been uploaded in the system.
Kathy reported that Medicaid has said that ID/LAH Rates should be loaded by Dec 26th.
CWP rates still waiting on amendment approval before they will be updated.
NDP Workgroup meets tomorrow (12/20) to review current requirements and look for ways to address this unfunded regulatory burden.
ADMH is seeking a Housing Consultant to assist in solutions for affordable housing for the department.
ADMH is receiving a significant amount of crisis referrals. Bullock has expanded beds; 2 crisis children's bed at BayPointe; 8 crisis beds at Glenwood effective Jan 1, 2024.
ADMH is reviewing unfunded mandated training - Grayson, Francilla, & Eliza Bell are reviewing current training requirements. Crisis intervention Training , Basic Mandated training (abuse/neglect, etc), and DSP Comprehensive training are being explored and they are working on solutions.
HCBS Compliance - As of today, 100% of all 700 sites that were waiting on follow-up site visits are now in compliance. 110 individuals pulled last month. ADMH created a spreadsheet that will track individuals form the time they are pulled, enrolled in waiver, and services begin. Moving forward there will be quarterly pulls form the Waitlist. Certification continues to attempt to enroll providers to ensure that all waiver services have providers.
CWP Update: 390 Gross enrollments + 37 (FY24) = 427; 15% employment rate; 51 total providers in the network; 90+% of CWP participants living with family o rother natural supports.
CWP services most utilized: Transportation, Personal Assistance in Community. Breaks & Opportunities, Community Integration Connection &Skills Training, Personal Assistance - Home; Assistive Technology & Adaptive Aids
CWP 3 - additional 597 attrition slots to be served.
RFP to add providers in January 2024.
QuILTSS Training Institute no longer a partner with CWP. Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) are making changes to training modules.
Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) are available through ADMH at no cost. Link on website or contact Byron.
Susan Ellis discussed Asset Based Community Development - which is community mapping, assessing untapped community resources. She recommended that ADMH adopts this strategy. Kathy asked her to submit a specific proposal for consideration, a concrete operational plan. She asked that Susan and Francilla meet and put the proposal together.
Consumer Empowerment Director has been hired, Nyles Valentine, and will being Feb 1st.
ADAP has met with the Alabama Commissioner of Public Health regarding the Boarding Home issue and need for legislative oversight. ADAP is advocating for legislation for licensure and certification of boarding homes. Currently only Jefferson County has this in place.
Kathy Sawyer announced that James Tucker will be retiring from ADAP at the end of the year. Nancy Anderson will be the Interim Director.