PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Input Process for Proposed Amendments to the Intensive Supports Waiver, Adult Supports Waiver, and Community Living Waiver
Monday, January 25, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.
A public listening session for the Intensive Supports Waiver, Adult Supports Waiver, and Community Living Waiver will be held remotely, with an option for people to join a video conference on their computer or call into a designated phone number.
Online Video (from computer): https://statema.webex.com/statema/j.php?MTID=m5490da9ba710cb56e3a7f4c1daab81dc
Phone Number:
(866) 692-3580
Meeting number: 178 935 9699
Password: eJKdCwzx365
Comments must be submitted by February 12, 2021
Overview
MassHealth and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) jointly propose amendments to the Intensive Supports Waiver, Adults Supports Waiver, and Community Living Waiver. The purpose of these amendments is to add Remote Supports as a waiver service, expand the scope of the existing Individualized Home Supports waiver service, expand the scope of the existing Assistive Technology waiver service, and increase flexibility for certain waiver related administrative activities to occur remotely/via telehealth. In addition, the proposed amendment to the Intensive Supports waiver expands the scope of existing Transitional Assistance waiver service in that Waiver.
Please see below for links to the draft amendments and information about how to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to MassHealth and DDS. Please note that feedback must be submitted by February 12, 2021.
Hard copies of these documents are available upon request. Please email or send a written request:
By e-mail: HCBSWaivers@Mass.gov
or
By regular mail:
UMass Waiver Unit
Attn: ID Waiver Comments
333 South Street
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Send Us Your Comments
We invite public comment on the draft amendments to the Intensive Supports Waiver, Adults Supports Waiver, and Community Living Waiver before we submit them to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval. Comments must be submitted by February 12, 2021. Please see below for how you can submit comments.
By e-mail: HCBSWaivers@Mass.gov
or
By regular mail:
UMass Waiver Unit
Attn: ID Waiver Comments
333 South Street
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
or
Orally at a public listening session to be held remotely on January 25, 2021.
The services cliff and its impact
Parents face considerable anxiety as adult children with disabilities encounter the services cliff – an end to support services – when transitioning from high school. A lack of access to support services for young adults at this critical juncture often translates to unfavorable prospects in higher education, employment and independent living.
According to a recent study from The Arc of the United States and CQL, around 75 percent of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities live with a parent or caregiver. As their caregivers get older, many of the young adults do not receive publicly available services, may not be employed and moreover may be leading isolated lives.
Family launches large-scale inclusive housing project
Nationally, more families are taking charge by creating inclusive residential developments aiming to improve quality of life for young adults with disabilities. Anxiety about the impending services cliff for her son pushed Jillian Copeland to launch ‘Main Street,’ a residential project set to open this year in Rockville, MD. About 25 percent of the residences in the apartment building are designed and allocated to serve as housing for people with disabilities and about 75 percent of apartments will be designated as affordable housing, thanks to low income housing tax credits from the State of Maryland.
In addition to providing easy access to public transit, Main Street will offer a 10,000 square-foot community center on the ground floor where residents and non-residents “of all abilities” and caregivers can participate in programming ranging from yoga and wellness to book clubs and cooking.
Main Street is a large-scale project, no doubt, but Jillian Copeland envisions a place that transforms lives and serves as a model that will be replicated elsewhere. If you’re interested in learning more, check out this webinar in which Jillian and Scott Copeland explain the process they undertook to make this community a reality, including planning and funding for the project.
Upcoming webinar on person-centered planning
MFOFC’s May webinar continues the exploration of person-centered planning, and this time, we focus on the relationship with the support provider. Join us on May 13 when guest Susan Yuan, parent and practitioner, will discuss how her son Andreas’ living arrangement has evolved over time. You can register for the webinar here.
Do you have examples of person-centered planning or inclusive living arrangements you’d like to share with us? Have comments? Send an email to hello@massfamilies.org.