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Trumbull disabilities board has no plans to close workshops
NILES
Edward Stark, superintendent of the Trumbull County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said there are no plans to shut down its sheltered workshops or cut services for county residents who have developmental disabilities.
“What we have to do is redesign how we deliver services so that they comply with new federal requirements,” Stark said.
The federal government has introduced a “conflict-free case-management” requirement, which prevents county boards from being the designer of plans, as well as the provider of services for those plans, he said.
As a result, the TCBDD is in a transition period to align with this requirement and is developing a new three-year strategic plan for 2016-18, which has included focus groups with community members, staff, clients, providers and parents.
A sheltered workshop is a workplace that provides physically or mentally challenged people an opportunity to acquire job skills and vocational experience.
In March 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services adopted a rule that says federal Medicaid funds no longer can be used to pay for waiver services in systems that offer both case-management and direct services.
The CMMS believes such an arrangement is a potential conflict of interest and is concerned that a workshop may result in isolating individuals, said Kerry Francis, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.
Those in conflict risk losing Medicaid waivers, which fund long-term care services in home- and community-based settings with the county and federal government each paying a portion.
“It’s no secret that state and federal mandates are going to change the way that county boards of developmental disabilities operate throughout Ohio,” Stark said.
“While we are awaiting specifics on those mandates, we want to assure clients, parents and loved ones that the TCBDD has no plans to shut down our workshops or reduce our services,” he said.
Stark said TCBDD has conducted focus groups with parents and guardians and private service providers, and plans to meet with community stakeholders, such as the Family and Children First Council and Children Services Board, and other agencies with which the disabilities board collaborates.
“Part of the problem is that some clients, parents and guardians thought we were announcing some significant action when all we want is feedback on what potentially may happen,” Stark said.
It is a very large undertaking trying to maintain the level of service while at same time trying to comply with federal requirements. The TCBDD is looking at a couple of options, and that is the reason for the focus groups.
“People don’t like change, and we are trying to reassure them that we are listening and want to make them part of the process,” Stark said.