Know Your Family Member's Service Options to Make An Informed Choice
In Ohio, Medicaid-eligible individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have an entitlement to services in an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF). Eligible individuals who wish to receive services in their home or other community setting, may waive this entitlement to access Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) (aka "waiver" services).
DAA has created two booklets that explain both options. Please click the links below. For comprehensive information and eligibility determination, individuals and their families should contact the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities or their County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The ICF Choice Booklet – click HERE
The HCBS Choice Booklet – click HERE
State of Ohio Provider Listing for ICF & HCBS – click HERE
Money Follows the Person - Four State Examples – click HERE
Disability Rights Ohio's Harmful Lawsuit Against State of Ohio
On March 31, 2016, Disability Rights Ohio (DRA) filed a class action lawsuit against the State of Ohio alleging discrimination in Ohio's Developmental Disabilities Service System. Disability Advocacy Alliance (DAA) responded to DRO's lawsuit in a letters to Governor John Kasich and Attorney General Mike DeWine requesting separate and independent legal representation for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities harmed by DRO's litigation.
Letter to Governor John Kasich click HERE.
Letter to Attorney General Mike DeWine click HERE.
Ohio's Home Health Care Crisis
In December 2014, the Columbus Dispatch published a three-part series on the home health care crisis in Ohio. The Dispatch found wide-spread fraud, low paid, poorly trained workers, aides not showing up for work, no oversight, and a lack of information for families to properly vet services. How can the DODD responsibly propose to move more vulnerable Ohioans into this system before addressing the concerns and safety issues of the Ohioans currently accessing waiver services?
Find the Columbus Dispatch's articles:
"Home-care crisis: Fraud costs taxpayers, vulnerable Ohioans" HERE.
"Home-care for vulnerable Ohioans leans hard on poorly paid workers" HERE.
"Families on their own in trying to find reliable home health care" HERE.
In November 2013, News Channel 5 in Cleveland ran a three-part series uncovering abuse, neglect, and failure to follow health regulations in Ohio's home care system. Michael Kirkman of Disability Rights Ohio said Channel 5's investigation raised serious questions. The report quotes Kirkman, "I think what your uncovering is that it's actually not working." DAA asks why in 2014 DRO proposed to move more vulnerable Ohioans into Ohio's home care system which it states it is not working?
Watch News Channel 5's reports:
"Ohio DODD fails to act, leaving disabled at risk" HERE.
"Hundreds of Ohio services providers for disabled repeatedly ignore health, safety regulations" HERE.
"Sexual abuse, neglect triggers increased scrutiny of service providers for Ohio's disabled" HERE.
The Threat to Ohio's ICFs and Sheltered Workshops
In a letter dated July 1, 2014, Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) threatened to sue the ate of Ohio if the State did not take action to "significantly reduce" the number of persons residing in Intermediate Care Facility homes for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) and attending facility based day habilitation programs. DRO's actions and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disability's (DODD) willingness to enter into confidential negotiations with DRO posed a significant threat to the health and welfare of Ohio citizens who rely on and choose these programs.
Families fought back with strong advocacy in the Ohio General Assembly. Documents below provide a review of the issues at stake.
Learn about the important benefits of ICF homes HERE.
Find DAA Update on Ohio Budget HERE.
Find DAA Comments to Executive Budget Proposals HERE.
Find DAA Comments to DODD Strategic Planning Leadership Group Final Report HERE.
Find DAA Comments to Ohio CMS Transition Plan HERE.
Advocacy Resources
Alliance
Disability
Protecting the Rights of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Advocacy
ICF Homes provide $65 million in financial benefits to the Ohio HCBS Waiver System. Learn more HERE.
Understanding Olmstead
The U.S. Supreme Court's Olmstead decision PROTECTS
individual choice in residential and day service placement for people with intellectual disabilities. Don't let the DODD or DRO tell you otherwise!!!