We Moved! NOWAC NEWS. New Mailing Address. New Telephone System NORTHWEST OHIO WAIVER ADMINISTRATION COUNCIL

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1 Volume 11, Issue 1 Summer NORTHWEST OHIO WAIVER ADMINISTRATION COUNCIL NOWAC NEWS Inside this issue: We Moved! From the Executive Director s Desk Meet the New Staff 2 Employment First Initiative 3 S.E.L.F. Waiver 3 Document Imaging 3 NOWAC Trainings 4 Incident Report Writing 5 Assistive Technology 7 P.L.A.Y. Project 7 2 We have moved to the Preston Run Building located at 815 East Second Street in Defiance. Our new office is two floors. On the lower floor we have our staff offices. The upper floor houses our conference room and training room. New Mailing Address 815 East Second Street, Suite B Defiance, Ohio New Telephone System Please note a change in telephone system, we now have a main line and extensions to reach our individual mailboxes. The main line is and the extensions are listed below. Deb Guilford, Executive Director ext Independent Provider Certification Update 7 Michelle Vogelsong, Business Manager ext Shannon Timmerman, Reviewer Rob Elston, Investigative Agent ext CHECK OUR WEBSITE AT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Cody Chrisman, Medicaid Waiver Asst./ NOAH Housing Coordinator ext Diane Burton, QA Reviewer ext Amanda Kennedy, Office Clerk ext Laurie Schey, Office Clerk ext Brenda Oyer, Continuing Education *Linda Reineck, QA Specialist *Kathy Bergman, R.N * Denotes Contracted

2 Page 2 NOWAC NEWS Volume 11, Issue 1 From The Executive Director s Desk By: Deb Guilford After 14 years in the same office, we finally outgrew our space. This was evident when I had to move my desk into the conference room. The move was only down the street but, nevertheless, it was a huge undertaking as you can imagine. We ve added staff over the past few months but more importantly, we re offering more services to our member counties. In this newsletter you will read about our newest endeavor with Intellinetics, Inc. s Intellievue software. This document imaging software interfaces with Gatekeeper, allowing NOWAC and its member counties to share documents, thus eliminating duplication of the files that we currently share. We will no longer have the need for numerous file cabinets containing duplicate MUI, QA and Waiver files. NOWAC is also looking forward to offering PLAY, which is a family based approach to serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. You can read more about The PLAY Project in this edition of our newsletter. We continue to offer substitute SSA services, as well as SSA Supervision and, most recently, began providing business manager services to Williams County Board of DD, along with Interim Superintendent services. These new services continue the efforts of county boards to share services. Our new projects, along with our office move, have certainly kept us all very busy. Several staff, however, did take the time to attend the OACBDD Spring Conference in Columbus last week, where we received updated information on the SELF Waiver, Transition Waiver and the Governor s Employment First Initiative. I hope you find the information in this newsletter informative. In the meantime, I need to get back to unpacking boxes! Meet the New Staff Laurie Schey joined NOWAC in March, 2012 as Office Clerk. She will complete waiver billing, PAWS authorization and vouchering. She brings to NOWAC a background in customer service, billing & office technology, having been previously employed at JBS Office Solutions and MT Business Technologies in Defiance as the Service Coordinator / Dispatcher. Laurie resides in Defiance with her husband, Dwaine. They have two grown daughters, Lyndsay who lives in Defiance and Erica who lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Laurie enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending sporting events, scrapbooking, and traveling. Three things that you will always find in Laurie s fridge: Iced Tea, Diet Pepsi, and poppy seed dressing. Something that would surprise others about Laurie: She and her husband share the same birthday, May 5th, different years :) Amanda Kennedy joined NOWAC in April, 2012 as an Office Clerk to implement digital imaging. She was previously employed by the Department of Job and Family Services where she worked as an Eligibility Referral Specialist II. She has an Associate s degree in Business Management Technology from Northwest State Community College. Amanda resides in Defiance with her dog Baxter. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Three things that you will always find in Amanda s fridge: Gatorade, cheese slices, and ranch dressing. Something that would surprise others about Amanda: When she was little she wanted to grow up to be a movie store worker Diane Burton began working for NOWAC in March, She will be completing QA reviews, SSA substitution, and is a TEAM trainer. She graduated with a Masters of Rehabilitation Counseling from BGSU. Diane's prior work experience includes direct care at Wood Lane Residential and a Professional Counselor in outpatient mental health setting. Diane resides in Bryan. She enjoys running with her dog Lily and spending time with family and friends. Three things that you will always find in Diane s fridge: Strawberries, eggs, and spinach. Something that would surprise others about Diane: Running a marathon is on her bucket list..well maybe half ;) Tiffany Jewell joined NOWAC in April, She is working as a Service and Support Administrator at the Van Wert County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She has worked with the Van Wert County Board for five years, serving previously as the administrative assistant/ payroll clerk for the sheltered workshop, Thomas Edison Center. She has an Associate s degree in Accounting from the University of Northwestern Ohio, and is currently finishing a Bachelor s degree in Human Service Management from the University of Phoenix. She has a five year old daughter, Alivia. Three things that you will always find in Tiffany s fridge: String cheese, salad dressing, and milk. Something that would surprise others about Tiffany: She used to sneak out of her bedroom window at night when she was in junior high!

3 NOWAC NEWS Volume 11, Issue 1 Page 3 Employment First Initiative Top: Executive Order signing Below: Micah Hetrick signing Executive Order Retrieved from odd.ohio.gov On March 19, 2012 Governor Kasich, along with DODD director John Martin, introduced the Employment First Initiative. This initiative will increase meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Employment First Taskforce has been developed including the Department Of Developmental Disabilities, Rehabilitation Services Commission, Ohio Mental Health, Department of Education, and Job and Family Services to increase collaboration and positive employment outcomes. The Employment First Taskforce will review and develop policies to address eligibility standards, best practices, and planning procedures. The DODD will take the lead of the Employment First Taskforce and oversee the cross-agency coordination, development of assessment tools, and implementation of the Executive Order. The task force will also be responsible for identifying procedures to improve community employment services for individuals with disabilities. The DODD can also create an advisory committee of self advocates, representatives from the Employment First Task Force, and stakeholders within the developmental disabilities field. This initiative will put emphasis on identifying supports and services to achieve meaningful community employment individuals with disabilities. Information retrieved form dodd.ohio.gov S.E.L.F Waivers A new waiver option has been developed for individuals with disabilities. This new waiver is called SELF which stands for Self Empowered Life Funding. The individuals who utilize this waiver will have more direction and authority as to how the money is allocated for the various services they choose. SSA s will continue to be the single point of accountability, however some new components such as support broker and financial management services. The support broker is to provide the individual with representation, advice, and support to the coordination and implementation of an individual s ISP. The support broker alls assists with negotiating rates, selecting providers and communication with the team. A Financial Management Service assists the individual in ensuring budget, taxes, and financial matters are maintained. This waiver will require individual s participation in the areas of Budget Authority and Employer Authority. Budget Authority is going to permit the individual to allocate their money for services appropriately and maintain their budget per their direction. Employer Authority gives the individual the opportunity to hire, fire, and direct their workers. This is not mandatory however, and only applies to the Support Broker, community inclusion, participant stability assistance, and integrated employment services. This waiver has services from the L1 and IO waivers such as Respite, Adult Day Services, and Remote Monitoring. Some new services that are included in this waiver are Community Inclusion, Integrated employment, Clinical Interventions, Participant/Family Stability Assistance. Community Inclusion consists of personal assistance and transportation service that increase the ability to participate and live in the community. Integrated Employment will provide an individual initial or retention supports needed to obtain and maintain community employment. Stability Assistance can be utilized by the individual or family (with whom the individual resides) which will assist the individual and family how to best supports and access community resources that would benefit the individual. This waiver will allow for more direction and self advocacy of the individual enrolled. (Information retrieved from dodd.ohio.gov and Document Imaging NOWAC will be implementing a document imaging project in the near future. Document imaging is an information technology category for systems capable of replicating documents commonly used in business. NOWAC will be going through a company called Intellinetics to begin this project. The hope is to have all documents scanned. The priority of the documents imaged will be at each counties discretion. The process for document imaging is prepping what is to be filed, scanning the actual documents and then indexing the documents, which means placing them correctly in the now consumers digital file. Digital imaging will help offices run more efficiently and effectively by simplifying the search of documents and being able to have documents more easily accessible.

4 Page 4 NOWAC NEWS Volume 11, Issue 1 NOWAC Trainings NOWAC Trainings are designed for County Board Staff, County Board Members, Agency & Independent Providers, and those who are interested in becoming Independent Providers 30 Hour Correspondence Courses The following trainings offered by NOWAC have been approved by DODD to provide the required Certification Training Classes for all Ohio County Developmental Disabilities Board employees in the areas of Adult Services, Early Intervention, Investigative Agent, County Board Members, Service and Support Administration, and Supt/Asst Supt (Services/Programs/Supports Stream). This means that you can take the class completely from the comfort of your home. All of our classes involve material to read, exam questions to answer, videos to view online, assignments to complete within the context of your job, and time tally sheets to validate the required 30 hours of work. Students have approximately 30 days to complete each class. County Board Staff Orientation Program: Cost is $100 Introduction to Developmental Disabilities: Seminar cost is $100; cost for 2 College Credits is $360 Principles of Self-Determination: Seminar cost is $100; cost for 2 College Credits is $360 Principles of Behavior Support:: Seminar cost is $100 Principles of Habilitation: Seminar cost is $100 DODD Approved 2 hour Correspondence Trainings The following classes are available via correspondence at a cost of $25 for each 2 hour training class. Trainings 101, 102, 103, and 104 meet the 8 hours of required initial training for waiver providers in accordance with the guidelines established by DODD that addresses the topics of overview of serving individuals with DD, provisions governing rights of individuals, overview of basic principles & requirements of HCBS waiver services, Incidents adversely affecting health & safety, and universal precautions. 2 CEU s approved for each correspondence training with DODD in the areas of Adult Services/Day Habilitation, Early Intervention, Investigative Agent, Service & Support Administration, County Board Members, and Supt/Asst Supt (Services/Programs/Supports Stream). If you are in the process of applying or considering to be a waiver provider, you are required to successfully complete 8 hours of training on these topics before DODD will approve your certification. Training 101: Incidents Adversely Affecting Health & Safety Training 102: Universal Precautions Training 103: Provisions Governing Rights of Individuals Training 104: Overview of Serving Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, Basic Principles & Requirements of HCBS Waiver Services Training 105: Community Connections Principles of Community Supports and Integration: Seminar cost is $100 Class Room Trainings Provider Certification 8 Hour Rule Training 14 Hour Medication Administration Training Medication Administration Renewal Training TEAM Training Call NOWAC for information and to schedule. New Course We now offer Principles of Community Integration and Inclusion. It is a 30 hour correspondence course designed to assist the learner in identifying resources that enhance opportunities for creating inclusive environments for individuals with disabilities. To register for any of these classes, check for new trainings available, or to receive more information, visit our online registration system at

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7 NOWAC NEWS Volume 11, Issue 1 Page 7 Assistive Technology Assistive Technology is a valuable resource to the field of developmental disabilities. I had the opportunity to attend an assistive technology fair in April. I was able to have hands experience with many devices. These devices where designed to assist with communication, learning, employment, and independent living. There were various vendors who had devices designed for communication. These devices had pictures, touch screen keyboards, and phrases that an individual could use to communicate with others. They also came equipped with an emergency alarm, which would be useful for an individual who was experiencing a medical emergency alert someone that they need help. These devices not only provided access to communication but they could be programmed to change household amenities such as the thermostat, television, and lights which could enhance independent living. The APP enabled devices were also a hot topic, and yes, they have an app for everything! Some apps were basic that typically come installed with many android products and others were designed to specifically target certain areas of need. Some of the most basic apps were alarm clocks, calendars, and notepads. All of these apps could benefit someone who needs medication reminders, task sheets, or daily schedule reminders. The more complex apps were more specific to behavior tracking, social skills, and communication. It was very interesting to see all of the devices and choices that are available to increasing the overall quality of an individual s life. P. L. A. Y. Project The P.L.A.Y. Project is a program designed by Rick Solomon, MD from Ann Arbor Michigan. He based this program around the Developmental, Individualized, and Relationship-based theory of Stanley Greenspan, MD. The program provides home consultation to families with children who have Autism. These home consultations are 3 hours in length and include family support, modeling, coaching, and providing feedback to families. The goal of P.L.A.Y project is to assist parents in having an interactive relationship with their child and providing them with tools to teach them how to communicate and build relationships with others. (Information retrieved from play project.org) Independent Provider Certification Update Two new courses have been added to the required list of coursework for renewal of independent providers who provide homemaker/personal care. One course on Principles of Positive Intervention. Culture Positive Intervention Culture is an initiative to shift the fields focus to building adverse free environments and support positive changes. Principles of Self Determination is the second required course. Self Determination involves individuals with disabilities setting goals, making decisions, and taking lead of planning their services. It is really important to note these new changes in coursework requirements as it can effect the certification renewal process. NOWAC offers Principles of Self Determination and will be developing Principles of Positive Intervention Culture. (Information retrieved from dodd.oh.gov) If you would like to place an ad in future newsletters please contact NOWAC for size, pricing, and space availability.

8 NOWAC NEWS 815 East Second Street, Suite B Defiance, Ohio phone: Fax: Website: NOWAC STAFF Deb Guilford, Executive Director ext deb@nowac.com Michelle Vogelsong, Business Manager ext michelle@nowac.com Shannon Timmerman, Reviewer shannon@nowac.com Rob Elston, Investigative Agent ext rob@nowac.com Cody Chrisman, Medicaid Waiver Asst./ ext cody@nowac.com NOAH Housing Coordinator Diane Burton, QA Reviewer ext diane@nowac.com Amanda Kennedy, Office Clerk ext amanda@nowac.com Laurie Schey, Office Clerk ext laurie@nowac.com Brenda Oyer, Continuing Education Coordinator *Linda Reineck, QA Specialist *Kathy Bergman, R.N *Denotes Contracted NOWAC BOARD MEMBERS BETH FRIESS PRESIDENT Fulton County JIM STRIPE VICE PRESIDENT Van Wert County RICK EDMONDS FISCAL OFFICER Defiance County LISA RECKER Paulding County MELINDA SLUSSER Henry County Williams County