Family Voices Indiana

Clarification of 40 hour rule for family caregivers The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services would like to clarify the rules for the number of hours a paid family caregiver can provide waiver services. The current ’40 hour rule’ is outlined in the service definition for Residential Habilitation in the Community Integration and Habilitation waiver, as well as the definition for Participant Assistance and Care in the Family Supports Waiver. The rule states: ‘Reimbursable waiver funded services furnished to an adult waiver participant by any combination of relative(s) and/or legal guardian(s) may not exceed a total of 40 hours per week.’ This service delivery rule applies only when an individual is receiving Residential Habilitation or PAC and is not applied to other services. For example, a relative caregiver can be paid to provide 40 hours of Residential Habilitation Hourly to a participant in waiver services, and the same caregiver could also provide additional hours of C

Transition planning is an individualized, cyclical process. With each twist and turn of the cycle, we’re helping a student through self-exploration—discovering the things they like as well as the things they don’t like—so that they can look at their postsecondary goals with more awareness. Sometimes that means sticking with the path they’re on, sometimes it means exploring a side path, and sometimes it means choosing a completely new path. Transition services and activities are key to helping students engage in that self-exploration.  To help you understand where services and activities fit into the planning process and how you can use them for different types of students, the Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center has created:  “Transition Services and Activities: Making the Connection.”   This new 17-page guide contains detailed examples for six different students, each with charts depicting the student’s postsecondary goals and transition services and activities as well as

from Ntl Family Voices: ACE Kids Act Introduced in the House and Senate During the last Congress, the  Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act  (ACE Kids Act) was passed by the House as part of a larger bill, but did not make it to the Senate. Since it is a new Congress, all legislation must be reintroduced. On February 4, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the  Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act of 2019  ( S. 317 ) , and have since been joined by cosponsors from both sides of the aisle -- Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Patty Murray (D-WA), John Boozman (R-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS). The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. On February 14, Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL), joined by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), introduced a substantially identical bill ( H.R. 1226 ), subsequently cosponsored by Rep. Joe

February 15, 2019 Valentine's Day Success! Thank you to everyone that was able to join us on February 14 at the Statehouse for our annual Valentine's Day event. Over 100 self-advocates, leaders of local chapters of The Arc and families attended to share their stories and give valentines to their elected officials. This is a very powerful event and we know everyone at the Statehouse greatly enjoys meeting attendees and receiving handmade Valentines. Special thanks to Governor Eric Holcomb, who welcomed all into his office; Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch for offering a short address and then individually greeting many of the attendees; State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell who shared information about Indiana's ABLE program; Claire, an EGTI grad, who shared how her ABLE account helped her attend EGTI; Secretary of State Connie Lawson and State Auditor Tera Klutz.  View Governor Erick Holcomb's Valentine's Day Event Photo Gallery Call to Action  SB 625 Managed Care