Family Voices Indiana

This past June, the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) laid the foundation for a collective vision for supporting individuals with disabilities in Indiana. Rooted in the LifeCourse Framework developed by the National Community of Practice for Supporting Families of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, DDRS’ vision brings together commonly held values and beliefs into a comprehensive approach to developing integrated supports that empower individuals with disabilities and their families to chart a LifeCourse consistent with their needs and aspirations.  Central to this vision, families and extended community members are a critical resource for individuals with disabilities. Moreover, the vision reflects DDRS’ understanding that individuals and their families, as a whole, need supports that address different facets of life, and that adjust as roles and needs of all members change through both the life cycle and family cycle - regardless o

To: DDRS providers, families, advocates and stakeholders  From: Cathy Robinson, Director, Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services  Date: September 1, 2016  Re: Home and Community Based Services Final Rule documents  As promised during the August 8 and 9, 2016, Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services’ webinars on the Home and Community-Based Settings required assessment of non-residential service settings, the following documents are posted to the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule Statewide Transition Plan Web page :   FAQ  Webinar Q&A  Resources –  HCBS Rule Questions may be directed to the BQIS Helpline at BQIS.Help@fssa.in.gov. Additional updates, guidance and resource information will be posted on the HCBS Final Rule Statewide Transition Plan Web page, so please check back periodically for ongoing updates.

The  American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD)  has established the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative (NDNRC) to provide cross-disability information and support to Navigators and other enrollment specialists thereby ensuring people with disabilities receive accurate information when selecting and enrolling in insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces. The NDNRC website can be found  here . Persons with disabilities lacking health insurance face at least the following options as key elements of the Affordable Care Act: Medicaid in their state, possible Medicaid buy-in in their state, possible Medicaid expansion in their state, and Marketplace insurance coverage. The NDNRC aims to provide the information needed to help navigators assist people with disabilities consider all these options. The NDNRC puts out a weekly newsletter with information relevant to navigators and those doing enrollment work. To receive this NDNRC Update, you can sign