“On March 17, 2014, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule for home and community-based services that requires states to review and evaluate current Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) settings, including residential and nonresidential settings. States are required to analyze all HCBS settings where HCBS participants receive services, determine if the current settings comply with the final rule, and demonstrate how compliance will be achieved for those settings that do not meet the HCBS settings requirements. Settings that are HCBS compliant must be integrated in and support full access of individuals receiving Medicaid HCBS to the greater community, including opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources and receive services in the community to the same degree of access as individuals not receiving Medicaid HCBS.”
Goal #3: The Arkansas DD Council will collaborate with state agencies and community programs to improve competitive, integrated employment of Arkansans with developmental disabilities. The Council will participate and advocate the work of the Employment First Task Force to advocate for legislative and policy changes designed to increase competitive, integrated employment. Meaningful involvement by self-advocates in Employment First Initiatives will be a major part of this Goal with a request for a community partner to assist people with DD with the shift from sheltered employment to competitive, integrated employment working in round table meetings with self advocates, their families and employers.
Arkansas HB 1706: An Act to Create the Medicaid Provider-Led Organized Care Act (2017)
“20-77-2702. Legislative intent and purpose.
(a) As the single state agency for administration of the medical assistance programs established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq., and Title XXI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1397aa et seq., the Department of Human Services is authorized by federal law to utilize one (1) or more organizations for providing healthcare services to Medicaid beneficiary populations. (b) The purpose of this subchapter is to establish a Medicaid provider-led organized care system that administers and delivers healthcare services for a member of an enrollable Medicaid beneficiary population in return for payment.”
“The Workers with Disabilities Medicaid program provides full Medicaid coverage to individuals with disabilities who are employed. The primary goal is to support disabled individuals in maintaining employment while ensuring they have access to necessary healthcare.”
“Approval of this demonstration amendment allows Arkansas, no sooner than June 1, 2018, to require all Arkansas Works beneficiaries ages 19 through 49, with certain exceptions, to participate in and timely document and report 80 hours per month of community engagement activities, such as employment, education, job skills training, or community service, as a condition of continued Medicaid eligibility. Community engagement requirements will not apply to Arkansas Works beneficiaries ages 50 and older so as to ensure alignment and consistency with the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) requirements. The alignment is appropriate and consistent with the ultimate objective of improving health and well-being for Medicaid beneficiaries.”
“Arkansas Transition Services consultant group serves Arkansas school districts in affiliation with the Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Special Education. Our goal is to provide prompt technical assistance and up to date professional learning opportunities to those working with special education students of secondary transition age. Each transition consultant serves a specific area of the state and has the tools and resources needed to ensure compliance with secondary transition planning as mandated in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and to help educators transition students to positive post-school outcomes.”
“The Arkansas Waiver Association is a not-for-profit corporation guided by a Board of Directors who serve without compensation of any kind. The AWA Board is comprised of individuals who receive Waiver services, families of individuals who receive Waiver services, and professionals who work for developmental disability community providers. Our membership is from the same groups.
We seek to improve the quality of life for individuals with a developmental disability and their families through active advocacy, open communications, and an exchange of professional ideas.”
~~If you are a student with a disability, then you will have a transition plan within your Individualized Education Plan (IEP) by the time you turn 16 years old. It is very important that you are educated about what this plan is and that you are involved in creating YOUR transition plan. The transition plan details the goals that you would like to achieve after high school in the areas of work, education and possibly independent living. So when you become involved in transition planning process, you will be thinking about questions like: Where will I work? What will I do to earn money? Will I go to school, like college or a vocational training program? What will I study? Will I live on my own and handle all the tasks that go along with that, like budgeting, finance, cooking, and transportation?
The Arkansas Developmental Disabilities Advocate Training Fund (DDATF) (2016 to 2019)
“The Arkansas Developmental Disabilities Advocate Training Fund (DDATF) was a funded program of the GCDD Arkansas from 2016-2019.
The Council staff administered this reimbursement program which provided funding for Arkansans with developmental disabilities, their family members, or their guardians to participate in professional or informational conferences, legislative advocacy skills training events, public forums, focus groups, hearings and other similar activities. This fund was designed to empower individuals with disabilities and their family members with the opportunities, experiences, resources and information they need to participate meaningfully in the decisions that are being made which affect their lives. This fund had a set total maximum amount available for use each fiscal year, designated by the Council.
In 2019, the Council voted to discontinue use of the DDATF, a consumer participation fund. This was done pursuant to guidance from federal funding agencies and our national technical assistance subject matter experts.”
