News
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule: Statewide Transition Plan
By SD Network, 2023-02-03
The HCBS settings rule requires states to develop a transition plan for reaching and maintaining compliance with the rule. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) received final approval on its Statewide Transition Plan from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 20, 2023. Read the approved Statewide Transition Plan here.
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: EVV 101: What is Electronic Visit Verification and How Does it Work?
By SD Network, 2023-02-01
Now is the time to learn about and practice EVV
Electronic visit verification (EVV) is required by federal law. All states have to collect visit information using an EVV system or they won’t get their full federal funding for Medicaid. Right now, EVV is in the soft launch phase. This is a time for provider agencies and workers to learn and start using an EVV system without affecting how provider agencies get paid. When the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) moves to the hard launch phase on May 1, 2023, there will be consequences if workers aren’t using EVV for required services (codes T1019, T1020, S5125, and S5126). These consequences may include the provider agency not getting paid, not being part of future MCO or HMO capitation rate setting development, and possible IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) participant disenrollment. Please learn about EVV now while we are in the soft launch phase, so you are ready to go by May 1, 2023. Here are two videos and a flyer that explain what EVV is and how it works.
If you know someone who wants updates about EVV, ask them to sign up for our emails. Please reach out with any questions or comments you may have. We value your time. Wisconsin EVV Customer Care833-931-2035vdxc.contactevv@wisconsin.gov Hours: Monday-Friday7 a.m. - 6 p.m. CT |
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: CMS Resources on Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce
By SD Network, 2023-01-31
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ACL POLICY ROUND UP: Public input opportunity: HUD Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing proposed rule
By SD Network, 2023-01-30
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) took a major step towards rooting out longstanding inequities in housing and fostering inclusive communities by announcing the “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)" proposed rule. This proposed rule would implement the Fair Housing Act's affirmatively furthering fair housing mandate, which directs the government to promote fair housing choice, eliminate disparities in housing, and foster inclusive communities.
This proposed rule seeks to simplify the required fair housing analysis, emphasize goal-setting, increase transparency for public review and comment, foster local commitment to addressing fair housing issues, enhance HUD technical assistance to local communities, and provide mechanisms for regular program evaluation and greater accountability, among other changes.
The proposed rule contains a number of changes of particular note to the aging and disability community, including:
- incorporating the housing needs of people with disabilities into the definition of “affordable opportunities;”
- defining “fair housing choice” for persons with disabilities as providing “a realistic opportunity to obtain and maintain housing with accessibility features meeting the individual’s disability-related needs, housing provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to an individual’s needs, and housing where community assets are accessible to individuals with disabilities, including voluntary disability-related services that an individual needs to live in such housing;”
- requiring consultation with organizations that advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities such as centers for independent living, protection & advocacy agencies, aging and disability resource centers, and councils on developmental disabilities as a part of the community engagement process jurisdictions must take as they develop their Equity Plans; and
- restores previous references to the Olmstead decision and the integration mandate of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
HUD seeks public comments on this proposed rule. The 60-day comment period will open once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. HUD has created a guide to submitting comments. ACL networks and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their views, comments, and recommendations.
Additional fair housing resources: review the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Fact Sheet and Engaging the Disability Community in Fair Housing Planning Webinar Series.
U.S. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT:HUD AWARDS $24.7 MILLION TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY LIVING FOR NON-ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
By SD Network, 2023-01-30
In January, HUD announced that it would provide $24.7 million for permanent affordable housing to people with disabilities. This award allows local public housing authorities to house up to 2,210 additional families, and further support community integration for persons with disabilities.
The assistance is provided through the HUD Section 811 Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program, which offers funding to housing agencies to assist non-elderly people with disabilities who are transitioning out of institutional or other isolated settings, at serious risk of institutionalization, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: New Funding Opportunity for Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions
By SD Network, 2023-01-27
The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has opened a new funding opportunity for a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions.
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program
The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provide training opportunities.
RERC on Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions: The purpose of this particular opportunity is to conduct research, development, and related activities that lead to rehabilitation technologies, practices and services that improve the health, and the physical, cognitive, sensory, or communication abilities of people with a wide range of disabilities, especially those with the greatest support needs. Rehabilitation engineering in this area should result in new or improved products, devices, and technological advances that enhance rehabilitation services in clinical or community settings.
View more details and application instructions.
Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on March 25, 2022.
WISCONSIN EXAMINER: The caregiver crisis hits LGBTQ elderly and disabled people hardest
By SD Network, 2023-01-27
The caregiver is shortage affects almost everyone in one way or another. It's hitting LGBTQ elderly and people with disabilities really hard. In Wisconsin, caregiver vacancies increased by 4% in two years (currently at 27.8%), which includes a current 28.4% vacancy rate for certified nursing assistants and direct care workers. Some feel it's because society doesn't value caregivers, elderly, and people with disabilities enough.