waivers

[Guest guest]

Georgia went self-directed about 2 years ago now but it has taken them a long

time to get it together.  I have been self-directed with for almost a

year now.  It does require a lot of paperwork but once in place, for me it works

well.  Georgia uses Acumen out of Arizona as the fiduciary agent.  They were

overwhelmed the first few months but now I think are doing a great job.  I hire

the employees and then they have to fill out a ton of paperwork (some for

Acumen, some for the state and some for the feds).  And Georgia requires all

caregivers to be CPR/First Aid trained which I allow my employees to do on line

as is not medically fragile.  I have found caregivers on Craig's List

and on www.care.com

Now that I know what to do (Georgia just now published a book to explain things

to the guardians) it is working great.  I have an employee that makes sure she

is up takes her to work and then acts as her job coach.  After work she brings

her home  and she changes clothes and fixes her own lunch and then they

exercise.  On days she doesn't work I have another caregiver that facilitates

her making her meals, depositing her paycheck, doing laundry, grocery shopping

and exercising. 

 Kathy Everett

678 230-6985

Kathy Everett Consulting

www.KathyEverett.com

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Sent: Fri, February 19, 2010 7:28:09 AM

Subject: Digest Number 4767

Family Centered List for Families Involved with Down Syndrome

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1a.

Texas Consumer Directed Services From: Karyn

1b.

Re: Texas Consumer Directed Services From: cshos View All Topics | Create New

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1a.

Texas Consumer Directed Services

Posted by: " Karyn " thebombtexas@...   thebombtexas

Thu Feb 18, 2010 5:11 am (PST)

We live in Texas and are on a Medicaid waiver. Right now, we go through an

agency for respite care but it is getting ridiclous with all of their extra

requirements and time for us and for our providers. We went through the agency

so we would not have to do so much paperwork. Has anyone tried the consumer

directed services in Texas? If so, would you mind responding with how much

paperwork you have to do and how much time each week it usually takes?

Thanks so much!

Karyn

Mom to Adena, 4 DS and asthma and , 15 months

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1b.

Re: Texas Consumer Directed Services

Posted by: " cshos " cshos@...   cshost2003

Thu Feb 18, 2010 6:05 am (PST)

Karyn, hope you can get some good info.

Oklahoma is getting their self-directed waiver services up and running the last

I heard. We can only enter into the program when our " waiver year " begins, and

it was not ready at my last annual renew. I, too, would love to hear from people

in various states how you like it compared to using an agency. and what

practical services you can receive on it.

Shirley

Texas Consumer Directed Services

We live in Texas and are on a Medicaid waiver. Right now, we go through an

agency for respite care but it is getting ridiclous with all of their extra

requirements and time for us and for our providers. We went through the agency

so we would not have to do so much paperwork. Has anyone tried the consumer

directed services in Texas? If so, would you mind responding with how much

paperwork you have to do and how much time each week it usually takes?

Thanks so much!

Karyn

Mom to Adena, 4 DS and asthma and , 15 months

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01:35:00

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

WV is supposed to have 3 options available once the new Waiver plan is approved

and finalized. Under the new plan we are to have the following (paraphrased):

1) what we currently have, in other words theoretically the Agency manages

everything.

2) self-directed w/agency (which most people will tell you is more like what we

currently have -- in that if you want respite the agencies pretty much expect

you to find someone, then they will hire them)

3) self-directed (using an outside agency as the fiduciary); however, you still

have to go to an agency for Service Co-ordination, TC, (and I think a couple of

other things).

Cari

waivers

has the waiver in Georgia and we went with what we call a

" self-directed " comprehensive waiver. I get to hire people,

determine days/times, and determine salary (must be min wage and they give me a

max). She has daily living support, supported employment support, and community

access support. In order to conform to state requirements a fidicuary agent

(Acumen) pays them and handles all of the tax work. They must be CPR and

first-sid trained and past a background check.

I have had great luck with my help for her.l They have become like family. I

have only had 3 people in the past year and a half. Interviewing for me was the

key. I had great luck finding people on Care.com and of all places Craigs list

but that one takes real screeening!

Kathy Everett

678 230-6985

Kathy Everett Consulting

www.KathyEverett.com

[Guest guest]

In OK.....

Waiver's pay $14.52 hr. to an agency that will hire someone to work as HTS

(habilitation training specialist) for the handicapped individual. Then the

agency pays minimum wage or more to the HTS. I receive $8.50 hr. for working

with my son....about 17 hours per week. An annual plan (with goals and

objectives) is developed....including monthly reports. Some of his 'waiver

money' is used for his supplemented employment (20 hrs a week).

OK has a 'self-directed' program that has been in operation for several months.

It looks promising. Parent's who work as HTS are not able to be 'self directed'

at this time.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Shirley