Post on 27-Jul-2020
Adults with Autism
Janet George Assistant Commissioner
Policy, Planning January 9, 2016
Introduction and Objectives
Background of Autism Omnibus Bill-
Goals:
Basic Demographics
Eligibility Process
Services
Questions
Introduction
The Autism Omnibus Legislation was signed into law in
August 2014.
The legislation required DDS to develop and
implement revised eligibility processes and criteria for
an expanded population of people with Autism and
Prader-Willi without Intellectual Disability and for
Smith Magenis Syndrome. The review process for
eligibility began in November 2014.
Revised regulations were required. They are currently
in regulatory review process.
2014 Autism Omnibus Bill
Highlights
Autism Commission Report 2013 created structure for bill in 2014
Establishes Autism Commission as permanent body within EOHHS -
Changes eligibility criteria for DDS ****
Creates tax-free savings account (ABLE)
Creates Autism endorsement for special education teachers
Requires DDS and DMH to develop and implement plan for mental illness and developmental disabilities –including respite, family support, and care coordination ****
Requires MassHealth to cover medically necessary treatments for children under 21 years of age – including ABA ****
DDS Adult Eligibility only served those with ID
Massachusetts was one of the few states that
was an ID state, not a DD state
Stakeholders and DDS saw that individuals with
ASD were falling through the cracks
Why The New Law?
Requirements for Eligibility for ASD
Be domiciled in Massachusetts
2. Have a primary diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder based on most recent DSM
3. Provide the Department with an evaluation for ASD completed by a qualified physician or psychologist, that includes standardized instruments.
4. When not provided a diagnostic assessment by qualified physician or psychologist detailing reasons
Adult Eligibility requirements
Have substantial functional impairments in
three or more areas of the seven major life
areas 1. Self-care ( ADLS)
2. Expressive Communication
3. Receptive Communication
4. Learning
5. Mobility
6. Capacity for Self-direction
7. Economic Self- Sufficiency
Requirements cont.
Adaptive Measures required
Additional information may be needed
Provide documentation and information that demonstrates ASD manifested prior to age 22
Provide documentation that demonstrates that the developmental disability is likely to continue indefinitely
Provide personal, clinical, psychological medical, and educational records that diagnosis was through psychiatric and psychological assessments
Provide reports of previous adaptive measures
Although IQ is not determinative factor helps delineate strengths and weaknesses
What is a reliable diagnosis of ASD
for adults? Full psychological evaluation as a child
with differential dx and use of ASD scales,
from a qualified practitioner.
Evaluation by a hospital based
developmental clinic
Well documented history of ASD
symptoms from multiple reliable sources:
(pediatrician, school, therapists,
psychosocial history)
Demographics
Currently there are 454 individuals, aged 18 or older, who have been
found eligible under the new regulations. 205 are over 22 and 245
are between 18 and 21 years old.
Of those 205 individuals, 101 individuals are receiving a total
of 224 DDS services
Of the total service enrollments, 18% of the services are being
provided through Participant Directed or Agency with Choice;
while the remaining individuals are enrolled in traditional
Purchase of Service
There are @104 individuals with Autism age 22+ who DDS
staff continue to work with and who have service enrollments
pending at this time
Autism Eligible Adults Between
18-21 Years Old
245 individuals are between the ages of 18-21.
While the eligibility for adult services occurs at age 22, there are
circumstances where individuals aged 18-21 may be receiving
services, such as employment and/or day services and Family Support
Services.
Individuals no longer in school as well as those determined to need
the service prior to 22 may be enrolled.
79 of these individuals are enrolled in a combination of 104 services.
Supports Intensity Scale
Life Activity Subscales: Support is a combination of type, frequency and daily support time. Home Living Activities
Community
Life Long Learning
Employment
Health and Safety
Social
Each item is phrased: If the individual were to engage in this activity over the next few months, what type of support would he or she need to be successful?
Protection and Advocacy
Exceptional Medical and Exceptional Behavioral
How Does the SIS Measure
Success? Comparable to the typical adults without
disability
Individual + Supports = Success
Service Array
DDS provides:
Service Coordination
Variety of Employment Supports and Activities During
the Day
Variety of Family Supports for Individuals Residing in
the Family Home
Variety of Individual Types of Supports
Variety of Goods and Services
Limited array of housing supports for individuals with
severe challenges
Exploring new service options based on needs
Infrastructure
In order to implement the legislative requirements, DDS needed to
strengthen its infrastructure.
Additional staff were added to the Regional Intake and Eligibility Teams.
An Autism Service Coordinator was added to each Area Office.
Regional Program Coordinator Positions were added.
Regional Contract Specialist Positions were added.
A Data Management System was developed that tracks eligible individuals
on a monthly basis, as well as individuals served and individuals in planning.
A Fiscal Monitoring System was put in place to monitor the $12.6 million
appropriation with additional work underway to track expenditures by
service category.
Collaboration with DMH
Establish joint DDS and DMH training, eligibility determination,
and service development
Collaborate with other state agencies, insurance payers,
stakeholders, & families for needed comprehensive services
Encourage Autism Centers of Excellence for access to skilled
care for co-occurring behavioral health needs
Develop family supports including respite & care coordination
DDS and DMH have entered into an Interagency Service
Agreement to collaborate in the development and funding of
supports and services for individuals who are eligible for service
in both systems.
DDS/DMH ISA
Key highlights:
Collaboration at all levels
Commitment to work together
Better understanding of perspectives
Dual eligibility
Decision making process for case management assignment
Forensic Capacity
Psychiatric Consultation
Psychiatric Fellowships
Co-Central Office Leadership Team
Engagement of Joint Community Providers
Demonstrations/Pilots for New Service Models
Collaboration with DMH (continued)
DDS and DMH are learning the similarities and differences between the respective
agencies through regular local, regional and central office networking
Agencies commit to joint trainings, service design and implementation and mutual
consultation.
Joint Provider Meeting occurred in November 2014
DDS will purchase and support additional clinical resources from DMH including:
Two psychiatric fellowships ( Mass General and UMass)
Short term psychiatric consultation
Forensic Risk Consultation
Development of Joint Training Agenda
Training Plan
To expand the knowledge based at DDS, DMH and the provider community, a variety of training opportunities as occurred.
a series of three trainings for the new autism service coordinators, staff from DMH and providers from ADDP were provided. These trainings were provided by prominent external experts and paid for by the SEIU.
There has been joint training with DMH regarding each agency’s eligibility determination and service delivery systems.
There has been a joint DMH/DDS provider meeting
DDS has participated in a workgroup established by the Association of Developmental Disabilities Program to examine current services, promote new supports and provide training opportunities.
Questions??
Suggestions ??
Contact: janet.george@state.ma.us