INARF is pleased to provide additional information on the Medicaid Equal Access Rule, keeping members abreast of national advocacy efforts to address industry issues. On March 16, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the first in a series of FAQs documents regarding implementation of the final rule “Method for Assuring Access to Covered Medicaid Service”, which was released on November 2, 2015.
-Article contributed by Michael Dickman, DSPIN Board member
During the 2016 INARF Annual Conference in Indianapolis, over eighty people signed up to attend “Attracting and Retaining DSP Talent”, a panel of Direct Support Professionals providing insight to their experiences in the field. The concept for the panel discussion originated with the Direct Support Professionals of Indiana (DSPIN) Board. The panel included DSPIN Board Members Michael Dickman with Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Jennifer Patrick and Kellie Shidler with Passages, Inc., in addition to Mercede Gonzalez with ADEC. Bona Vista’s Community Connections has received $9,500 from the Duke Energy Foundation. This money will help fund programming for adults that they serve in the Community Connections program that will be in our new Imagine That! Center. Community Connections will use this 8,000+ square foot space to provide services to adults with severe and profound disabilities.
The AbilityOne Commission has recently published a declaration in support of a base of the federal minimum wage or state minimum wage, whichever is higher, for AbilityOne employees. According to the Commission’s statement “More than 90 percent of Program employees currently earn at least the Federal minimum wage, or state minimum wage, if higher. The Commission will now advocate for this standard to be met consistently across the AbilityOne Program.”
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Robert (Bob) Cook, Executive Director, Abilities Services, Inc.
Bob was Executive Director for Abilities Services, Inc. and Home by Choice and has served in many roles as a volunteer leader on the Financial Management Professional Interest Section and is currently the Treasurer of the Ability Indiana Board of Directors. From 1990 to 2002 he owned the Merry Maids and Furniture Medic Franchises in Indianapolis and Hendricks County and also operated the Cook Financial Group for several years. His membership included the First Assembly of God, and also was involved in Habitat for Humanity, and the Chamber of Commerce. Robert held an Associate’s Degree in Engineering, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, and was a Certified Financial Planner. |
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