| Be Informed. Be Heard. VOTE. To help ensure that our elected representatives understand the issues affecting people with developmental disabilities, and to give our community a chance to hear directly from Candidates on the topics important to you, we are hosting a series of events designed to engage Candidates with their constituents. Be Informed. Core Public Policy Platform – Adopted by our Membership at this year’s annual meeting in July of 2019. Stories from People with Developmental Disabilities and their Families – Watch our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel for weekly stories leading up to the Elections. To share your story, contact info@thearcofva.org. Candid Candidates Video Series – HEAR directly from the Candidates as they are invited to share their perspectives on the Disability System in Virginia with short videos that we will publish on our Facebook and Youtube Channel. Be Heard Candidate Forums – Take part in one of the Candidate Forums across the State, and share your questions with candidates about what matters to you most. To see if there is a Forum in your area click here. Post Election Candidate Education – Following elections, we will host educational meetings with elected members, particularly focusing on areas where the Delegate or senator is newly elected or were not in an area where a Forum was held. VOTE – November 5th is Election Day for all 140 Seats of the Virginia General Assembly. Find your Candidates for VA General Assembly HERE. The Arc of Virginia is a 501(c)3 non profit organization, and does NOT endorse, support or promote any Party or Candidates. All Candidates running in Virginia were invited to share their views on Disability through these various opportunities. Reminders & Updates Are You on the DD Waiver Wait List? The Individual and Family Support Program (IFSP) is designed to assist individuals on the Developmental Disability(DD) Waiver Wait List and their families to access short-term, person/family centered resources, supports and services. These services and items funded through the IFSP are intended to support the individual in their own or family home in the community. Individuals may submit applications to apply for IFSP from Oct. 1 @ 9:00 am until Oct. 11, 2019 @ 5:00 pm. Applicants may be prepared now by creating and saving a draft application. This is a first come first served program so do not delay. For more information and how to apply go to: https://tinyurl.com/yxwwvfnw. Electronic Visit Verification – Transition Period Announced In case you haven’t heard, Virginia is implementing Electronic Visit Verification(EVV) for Medicaid Waiver attendants and Employers of Record(EOR) who provide personal/attendant care, respite and companion services. EVV is a technology system to verify that an attendant/caregiver provides services by clocking in and clocking out of their shift. Attendants and EORs need to prepare now if they haven’t already for this new system that is required so that attendants will be paid. The EVV system is required in order for attendants to be paid effective January 1, 2020. The VA Dept. of Medical Assistance Service will have a transition period for EVV from10.1 -12.31.19 to allow providers additional time to come into compliance with the EVV requirements. During this transition period agency directed providers and consumer directed attendants will continue to be reimbursed for services that do not meet EVV compliance. For claims submitted on or after January 1, 2020, EVV will be required and reimbursement will be denied for services not compliant with EVV requirements. *Please read the Medicaid Bulletin issued on Sept. 25 here and get prepared now. The EVV system is required in order for attendants to be paid effective January 1, 2020. Training Opportunities Medicaid Waiver Workshops for You Medicaid Waivers are a lifeline for many people with developmental disabilities. The Arc ofVirginia will be presenting Medicaid Waiver workshops in October in Prince William County and Roanoke. To learn more about these free presentations and how to register click here. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and all members of The Arcoof Virginia are encouraged to participate. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. Held annually, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Employers of all sizes and in all industries are encouraged to participate in NDEAM. For specific ideas about how you can support National Disability Employment Awareness Month, visit www.dol.gov/NDEAM. Suggestions range from simple, such as putting up a poster, to comprehensive, such as implementing a disability education program. Regardless, all play an important part in fostering a more inclusive workforce, one where every person is recognized for his or her abilities — every day of every month. In the next edition of The Insider… Stay Tuned to find out! |
VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION PREPARATION
