The U.S. Department of Education is investigating multiple school districts across the nation over concerns that they have failed to provide appropriate services to students with disabilities amid the coronavirus pandemic. The federal agency said that its Office for Civil Rights launched investigations this month looking at the Indiana Department of Education, the Seattle Public…
President Issues Executive Orders Last week, President Biden signed a number of Executive Orders, with more anticipated in the coming week. The orders cover a range of subjects and many will require additional steps to implement. Actions and Executive orders relevant to the disability community include: Housing Extending the Centers for Disease Control…
As President Joe Biden introduces a coordinated federal approach to address the COVID-19 pandemic, he’s turning attention to the virus’ impact on people with disabilities. Biden laid out a broad 200-page plan and signed a slew of executive orders late last week to increase access to vaccines, require masks in certain settings and implement a…
BDDS webinar for providers and case managers The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services is committed to working collaboratively with case managers and providers during this extraordinary time. We appreciate the hands-on and coordinated efforts and responses our case managers and providers have demonstrated. As part of this commitment, BDDS has the following reminder of interest:…
FSSA to resume standard rules for calculating patient and waiver liability March 1, 2021 The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which was passed in March 2020, offered extra federal assistance to states which agreed to meet certain criteria. One of the requirements is that Medicaid beneficiaries’ coverage not be discontinued during the public health…
Remote support services webinar opportunity for individuals and families The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services is excited to share an opportunity for individuals and families to learn more about using remote support services. One of six Indiana remote supports providers, Night Owl Support Systems, is offering a series of webinars in January and February for…
Executive Order 20-53: Extension of Executive Order 20-50 with Continuation of County-based Measures and Restrictions Based on the Impact and Spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Following years of uncertainty, federal lawmakers are giving new life to a popular Medicaid program that moves people with disabilities from institutions into the community. Money Follows the Person has been renewed for three years under legislation approved in late December. The Medicaid program gives states extra funds to provide employment, housing and other services…
Provider reverification process update The Bureau of Quality Improvement Services has concluded an initial pilot of the accredited provider reverification process for Medicaid Home-and Community-Based providers. Of the five providers who participated in the pilot, one had an annual review and four had a full reverification review. BQIS convened the reverification workgroup, which includes the…
FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordination Ask the Expert Friends & Colleagues: The first COVID-19 vaccines are being administered to healthcare professionals across the nation, enabling them to continue responding to the pandemic from the frontlines with additional protection. As of December 30, more than 2.7 million people have received their first dose of…
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