Family Voices Indiana

Family Voices is sharing this announcement from The Arc of Indiana: September 15 & 16 Forums for Individuals Impacted by Action to Move Consumers from Your Friends and Neighbors FSSA recently announced that Your Friends and Neighbors, a company that provides residential services to people with developmental disabilities, is no longer eligible to receive Medicaid funding and has moved to transfer consumers to new providers. Your Friends and Neighbors is challenging that decision. The Arc of Indiana is hosting forums for families, guardians and consumers who receive residential services from Your Friends and Neighbors to provide information on their rights, and options and choices they have in making decisions about the residential services they receive. The forums will be held: Fort Wayne / September 15 1:00-3:00 p.m.or 7:00-9:00 p.m. Grand Wayne Center, Calhoun Room, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd. South Bend / September 16 1:00-3:00 p.m. REAL Services, 1151 S. Michigan St. Mishaw

Family Voices is sharing this information from The Arc of Indiana: DDRS Policy Revision: Residential Living Allowance The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) is reviewing all of its policies and procedures. Revised policies are posted on the DDRS web site. DDRS has advised that the web site should be checked frequently. Residential Living Allowance – DDRS has posted a revised policy on Residential Living Allowance (RLA). People receiving residential services may receive an RLA to cover living expenses. It is our understanding that under the revised policy DDRS will not provide funding in an RLA for items that could be covered by government benefits, if the recipient refuses to apply for those benefits. For example, if an individual made a decision not to apply for food stamps, DDRS would not provide assistance through the RLA to help pay for food costs.

FV Indiana shares the following invitation from the Arc of Indiana. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to Kim Dodson: 317-977-2375 or kdodson@arcind.org . It is our understanding the the conversation between Ms Dodson and Dr. Bennett will be recorded, we will share a link when and if it becomes available. If you attend and would like to share your notes from the event with FV Indiana please contact fv.indiana@gmail.com The Arc of Indiana invites parents and advocates to attend a unique opportunity with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett this Friday, September 10! A Conversation with Dr. Tony Bennett Friday, September 10 1:00-3:00 p.m. State Department of Education Riley Room 151 W. Ohio, Indianapolis Agenda 1:00 Welcome, Jeff Huffman, Chairman, The Arc of Indiana Education Committee 1:15 Dr. Tony Bennett 1:30-2:00 A Conversation with Dr. Bennett and Kim Dodson, Associate Executive Director, The Arc of Indiana 2:00-2:15 Break 2:15-3:00 Question