Interim Committee Meetings for the Kentucky State Legislature

Current Schedule (as of 6/3/2020)

Medicaid Update - May 21, 2020  

Good Afternoon,

DD Network Advocacy Webinar 

The Kentucky Developmental Disabilities Network presents the first Advocacy Webinar. This webinar will take place on June 12, 2020, from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. EST. via Zoom.

Important Kentucky Election Information 

2020 is an IMPORTANT ELECTION YEAR!

ARE YOU REGISTERED??  DEADLINE IS MAY 26th AT 4:00 PM

GO TO www.GoVoteKY.com OR CALL YOUR COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE

 Do you have something to say about COVID-19 and disability?

We are collecting stories from individuals with disabilities about COVID-19 in Kentucky and how it affects people living with disabilities. Your story can add to the discussions state leaders are having about the impact of COVID-19. There are different ways to tell your story. You can complete some or all of the short survey below. You can attach a file that tells your story in video, audio, pictures, or in written form. You may have someone help you fill out the form. You can also contact us for help by calling 859-257-8104 and share your story by phone or video relay service. 

New Resources for 1915(c) HCBS Waiver Stakeholders

The Department for Medicaid Services is sharing a new resource for our 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services stakeholders to use as we navigate the COVID-19 state of emergency. The "Healthy at Home Activities Listing" includes information on virtual trips and tours, online learning opportunities, projects, and outdoor fun. 

Disabilities and COVID-19 Pandemic

The Kentucky Developmental Disability Network has created two documents for people with disabilities for the COVID-19 pandemic. Know Your Rights is a one-page document that explains what a person's rights are during a pandemic if they are admitted into the hospital. The other "COVID-19 Disability Form" is helpful for medical professionals in the event you are admitted into the hospital during this pandemic.  It includes information about a person’s medical history, medications, and communication preferences.

An Update from Kentucky Medicaid's 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services Waiver Programs

Good Afternoon, 

Kentucky Partners in Policymaking - Apply Now!

Partners in Policymaking is a national leadership training program teaching individuals with developmental disabilities and parents the skills to become community leaders and catalysts for systems change. Participants learn how to advocate for the best available services for themselves and others. This program identifies the current trends about disability issues and develops in participants leadership skills necessary to impact public policy at all levels of government.

Exceptional Family Magazine - Winter/Spring 2020

The CCDD is happy to announce the launching of our Winter/Spring 2020 – Exceptional Family Magazine! This magazine highlights the independence, integration, and inclusion of Kentuckians with developmental disabilities and is also available in Spanish. Stay up to date on current news, projects, and opportunities. Since first publishing in 2009 Exceptional Family Magazine has kept and in-depth resources list. Dive into this free experience!

Would you like to receive additional free copies for you or your organization? Call (859) 494-1140 or email [email protected]

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Updated Waiver COVID-19 FAQ Released

The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) has released an updated version of the COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Medicaid 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers. This version includes questions received to the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk during the past few weeks and questions from the COVID-19 Waiver Updates webinar held on March 25, 2020.

The 2020 Census is here, and the stakes for Kentucky could not be higher! 

COVID-19 Update from the Administration for Community Living

Supporting Community Living during COVID-19: CARES Act and Civil Rights Protections

On Friday, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, into law. The Act provides a total of $2.2 trillion, with $955 million directed to ACL programs. On Saturday, the HHS Office of Civil Rights issued a bulletin to protect people with disabilities from unlawful discrimination in decisions about their treatment during the COVID-19 health care emergency. Together, these will provide significant support to older adults and people with disabilities. 

OCR Bulletin: Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

OCR provided this bulletin to ensure that entities covered by civil rights authorities keep in mind their obligations under laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, and exercise of conscience and religion in HHS-funded programs. The bulletin states that, "…persons with disabilities should not be denied medical care on the basis of stereotypes, assessments of quality of life, or judgments about a person’s relative “worth” based on the presence or absence of disabilities or age. Decisions by covered entities concerning whether an individual is a candidate for treatment should be based on an individualized assessment of the patient and his or her circumstances, based on the best available objective medical evidence."

Additional COVID-19 Resources

The Department for Medicaid Services wants to share more resources with our 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services waiver stakeholders as we all deal with the COVID-19 state of emergency. Thanks to our partners at the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities for compiling this list. We hope you find the following information helpful.

Websites

WEBINAR: 1915(C) HCBS WAIVER UPDATES DUE TO THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY

DATE: Wednesday, March 25, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern via Zoom

HOSTED BY: Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) Division of Community Alternatives (DCA)

COVID-19 Webinar for 1915(c) HCBS Waivers

The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) - Division of Community Alternatives (DCA) held a webinar this morning to highlight updates to the 1915(c) HCBS waivers to help participants and providers through the COVID-19 state of emergency. The webinar presentation and a recording of the webinar are now available for viewing on the DCA website. 

Medicaid Update from Cabinet for Health and Family Services

The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) knows this is a challenging time for the 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) participants we serve, their families, and the individuals who provide their services. DMS is making adjustments to the 1915(c) HCBS waivers to reduce interruptions to these essential services for our participants and to assure they are delivered in the safest possible manner for participants and providers.

DMS created a COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to share critical guidance with 1915(c) HCBS participants and providers. DMS complied with these questions from calls and emails we have received to our 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk. 

COVID(19) Resources for Self-Advocates

The CCDD is working to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are being addressed during these unprecedented and challenging times. Below are links to information and resources that may be beneficial to you and your families. Feel free to share! 

COVID-19: Provider Certification Visits and Monitoring

The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) recognizes that 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers serve some of the populations most vulnerable to COVID-19. Protecting the health of our waiver participants and the people who serve them is a top priority. To reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our slate.

(COVID-19) Guidance for Residents of Kentucky

We know that many people are concerned about the COVID-19 virus and the impact it has on all Kentuckians. Governor Beshear is holding daily press conferences and has set up a website and virus hotline. I would like to share with you a "COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities" resource guide written by the Maryland Green Mountain Self-Advocates that you can share with self-advocates and people around you.  Please stay updated with the most recent information provided by the Governor and the CDC.

All future public Council meetings will be held through teleconferencing until we are cleared from the Governor’s office to have in-person meetings again.  Currently, our office remains open. All staff has the technology to work remotely in the event we need to take that step. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.