Family Voices Indiana

Family Voices seeks to ensure families have access to information regarding the services they may use. The following is an excerpt from the DDRS bulletin regarding the renewal of the DD Medicaid waiver. If you have questions, you should speak with your IPMG case manager or use the resources included at the end of this post. DDRS is pleased to announce that on Friday, September 25, 2009, DDRS received a letter from CMS stating that the request to renew the Indiana HCBS DD Waiver, authorized under §1915(c) of the Social Security Act, has been approved. Effective October 1, 2009, this renewed waiver will continue to serve individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities who meet an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR) level of care. The complete 253-page document is available for review online at http://www.in.gov/fssa/files/1DD_Waiver_Renewal_100109.pdf. Significant changes from the current (expiring) DD waiver document and the proposed renewal are list…

Family Voices Indiana acknowledges that many families do not have knowledge and/or access to services and supports that they need for their children with special health care needs and/or disabilities. Often, this impacts families in different parts of the state differently. We have become aware of a provider in Southern Indiana who is circulating requests for support of an ICF/MR (institution) for children in their area. We would like to ensure that families have adequate knowledge of programs that might exist to support their children in the home and community as a preferable and more appropriate option.

Families should be sure they have applied for the following:

Children with Special Health Care Services (for eligible conditions and income levels)

Medicaid Disability (for eligible individuals-this often covers more than Hoosier Healthwise)

Medicaid waivers (this waives family income for children under 18 and provides addtl services)

Special Education Services

Crisis Assistance (if neede…