New Financial Management Service Contract Awarded

As the result of a competitive bid process, GT Independence will be the new Financial Management Service (FMS) provider as of July 1, 2022, for all people utilizing participant-directed services in the Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) waiver, Individual Options (IO) waiver, or Level One (L1) waiver. DODD, GT Independence, and the current FMS provider, Morning Sun, are committed to a smooth transition for all involved. Every effort is being made to ensure services for people and payments to providers are not disrupted.

GT Independence will be contacting each person receiving participant-directed services and their providers in June 2022 to initiate enrollment. 

The change in FMS will NOT change the services approved in each person’s Individual Service Plan (ISP), a provider’s rate of pay, or the assigned service and support administrator (SSA) through the county board of developmental disabilities. However, each person’s ISP will need to be updated to reflect this change in the FMS provider.

Questions can be directed to DODD by sending an email to waiverpolicyta@dodd.ohio.gov or by contacting your local SSA. Additionally, you can reach out directly to GT Independence by phone at 1-877-659-4500 or email customerservice@gtindependence.com. 

If you would like to learn more about GT Independence, you may visit their website at www.gtindependence.com.

DODD has waiver changes being implemented on July 1, 2022, which is focused on advancing self-direction and creating flexibility in Ohio’s existing delivery system, with the input and partnership of valuable stakeholders.

As the system moves toward increased flexibility, autonomy, and choice, we want to ensure that all stakeholders have access to information to support informed decision-making. DODD has created videos to support increased knowledge about Budget Authority and Employer Authority as they relate to participant direction. We have also created videos summarizing the services of Support Brokerage, Participant/Family Stability Assistance, Functional Behavioral Assessment, and Clinical/Therapeutic Intervention. 

Many changes are happening regarding waiver simplification and DODD wants to be a resource. After reviewing the posted materials, please email questions to waiverpolicyta@dodd.ohio.gov. 

Beginning January 1, 2022, agency providers in non-licensed settings are required to develop and implement a written training plan for their director of operations, supervisors of direct support professionals, direct support professionals, and when applicable, volunteers.

DODD has determined that a training plan will not be required for each individual employee. Agencies will be expected to have a training plan for each category of employee that is required to have a plan (i.e., one training plan for all DSPs, one training plan for all supervisors of DSPs, etc.). If agencies choose to have individualized training plans for each employee, this will also meet the requirement.

Training Plans for 2022 should already be prepared to identify how annual training requirements will be met. Plans are also required to be updated at least once every twelve months.

DODD has created optional training plan templates and previously issued guidance regarding Annual Training in Non-Licensed Settings. The Agency Certification rule and applicable appendices can be found here.

Contact Us: www.dodd.ohio.gov/OSSAS or ossas@dodd.ohio.gov

Listen as Holmes County Board SSA Supervisor, Mimi Patterson, shares their experience as the first county to use Ohio’s free online system. 

Thank you, Holmes County, for your partnership and willingness to collaborate in achieving this exciting milestone!

The May gathering video introducing the new Six Essential Elements Self-Review tool is posted on the OhioISP Support webpage.

Join virtual office hours offered as two statewide sessions:

QIDPs: May 31, 2022, from 10 AM - 11 AM

SSAs: May 31, 2022, from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Since the beginning of 2022, OSSAS and Provider Certification have fielded numerous questions around the use of the ‘optional training’ included in DODD’s My Learning to meet the annual requirements.

The new Provider Certification rules effective in September 2021 split the eight-hour annual training requirement for Independent Providers and DSPs into two parts. Please get the details about staying in compliance here.: Annual Training in Non-Licensed Settings. 

Contact Us: www.dodd.ohio.gov/OSSAS or ossas@dodd.ohio.gov.

Office hours are available to assist with completing the 2021 DSP Compensation Survey. The survey is for agencies that provided homemaker/personal care services in the 2021 calendar year. Click here to sign up for the office hours or if you have any questions related to the survey.

DODD final-filed new rule 5123-2-06 (Development and Implementation of Behavioral Support Strategies). The rule will go into effect October 1, 2022. The rule reflects an emphasis on positive measures and includes new provisions to safeguard and support individuals and guardians, a new definition of “chemical restraint,” clarification regarding prohibited measures, a new process for review of behavioral support strategies in emergency situations, and adjustments to data reporting and analysis to yield more meaningful results. See the summary of major changes for more details.

A version of the rule tracking revisions made against the currently effective rule is available so stakeholders can precisely see what is changing.

DODD will be phasing in the new requirements. See the Implementation Plan for timelines associated with the new elements.

DODD is developing various training modules to assist in implementation. The first one will be an overview of the changes to the rule. Specific dates for these trainings will be announced shortly.

Since its initial development, providers have been encouraged to use the Automated Registry Check System (ARCS) to conduct the seven database checks required to be completed prior to hiring an employee in a direct services position.

DODD has discovered that the United States general services administration system for award management (SAM) database is no longer included in the automated registries checked by ARCS but is a manual check that must be completed separately from the use of ARCS.

Due to this change, providers who use ARCS should immediately complete and document a manual SAM check for all employees enrolled in the ARCS system. Moving forward, providers using ARCS will need to manually complete a SAM check prior to hiring an employee in a direct services position and at a frequency no less than once every five years.

Get details on compliance issues and citations here.

DODD has updated guidance regarding On Behalf Of Individual Employment Supports. The guidance provides information on when IES OBO may be authorized and billed. 

Additional training videos have been added to the DODD Website in the four main topic areas that have changes taking place on July 1, 2022: Level 1 Waiver, SELF Waiver, Self-Directed Transportation, and Participant-Directed Goods & Services. The links to the videos as well as the PowerPoints can be found at the bottom of the page under the header Training Videos & PowerPoints. 

DODD will also be hosting Live Chats throughout the month of June and into July to address questions that stakeholders have regarding the waiver simplification work. Please register for any of the live chats you are interested in attending by clicking on the links below:

June 9, 2022, from 12 PM - 1 PM - Self-Directed Transportation

June 16, 2022, from 12 PM - 1 PM - Level 1 Waiver

June 23, 2022, from 12 PM - 1 PM - Participant-Directed Goods and Services

June 30, 2022, from 12 PM - 1 PM - SELF Waiver

After reviewing the posted materials, please join us with questions at the upcoming live chats or email questions to waiverpolicyta@dodd.ohio.gov. 

The Technology First rule went into effect on April 21. This rule implements Ohio's Technology First policy to increase access to technology for people with developmental disabilities. Through these improvements, teams will be better equipped to support people with developmental disabilities and their families in exploring and experiencing the benefits of technology. This progress is the next step in fully embracing innovative technology for our system of supports.

As a follow-up to the introductory Technology First webinar, DODD will be hosting a Live Chat to address questions from stakeholders regarding Ohio’s Technology First Initiative and Rule. The Live Chat will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 1 PM.