[tabi] Re: Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if one agency should serve all disabilities...

  • From: "Darla J. Rogers" <djrogers0628@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 13:54:01 -0500

Methinks Goodwill is hoping to be the CRP of choice, among other things, and I have no use for those people as far as working with people whose only or primary disability is blindness.


Darla


----- Original Message ----- From: "Daniel Ben Moshe" <danielbenmoshe1@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 12:34 PM
Subject: [tabi] Re: Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if one agency should serve all disabilities...


Remember he is from south Florida, this is how the people down here feel about Blindness, and other disabilities. They don't know any better, they think we are all the same. They don't see any difference between blind, and being mentally disabled If you don't believe me, just ask anybody who lives in south Florida now, and they will tell you that there is no difference. That's how they can put everybody under one umbrella, because they don't see a difference between Blind people and other disabilities. Get ready because he is going to introduce this south Florida mindset into north Florida. We call it down here a primitive, archaic, savage mindset about blindness, and other disabilities. This man knows nothing about persons with disabilities. That's the whole problem is that he knows nothing along with the rest of south Florida, and now they want to tell us how to manage the Blind, and Disabled communities. North Florida this is what's coming people from south Florida who know nothing trying to manage a huge problem. So I would at least start asking questions, lets not get alarmed, but lets be aware.


I'm glad to be your humble and obedient servant,

Zechen Elder Daniel Ben Moshe,
B'ni Yahshuah Synagogue Of Broward County,
www.theblindcansee.org
Choose ye this day whom you will serve. If YHWH be Elohim, then serve him, with all of your heart. However, if Baal be your god, then serve him. As for me, and my house. We choose to serve YHWH!

The late Bishop Joe O Patterson told a story long ago, when I was a small child. about the show down, between Elijah, and the 450 false prophets of Baal. He shared with us how Elijah, stood, and told the false prophets to go on ahead, and call their god first. Because they had a much larger program. He talked about how they had 450 participants to introduce. Elijah was so sure of YHWH, he with confidence said, that he only had one. Elijah also reminded them, that they had to drag their fake god up the mountain side on an ox cart. Elijah also announced to the world, that his Elohim would be there when he arrived. He said mockingly, you go on ahead. Heck, I will even let you have prime time. I'M going to take a nap, and when you guys finish your foolishness, wake me up. Go ahead now, take your best shot.
Bishop Joe O Patterson
A blessed memory
1963-1989
-----Original Message-----
From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of blindwilly
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 10:21 AM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tabi] Re: Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if one agency should serve all disabilities...

Barbara,

What is the e-mail address where I might send a post speaking against this proposal. I do not want to be put in the category of people with autism and mentally disable. Please God, don't put me in the category of people who can't tie there shoes.

William



----- Original Message -----
From: "Lighthouse of the Big Bend" <lighthousebigbend@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 3:56 PM
Subject: [tabi] Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about if one agency should serve all disabilities...


Consumer groups of the Blind/VI may want to get involved, as it looks
like Gov Scott's Transition Team may be thinking about whether one
agency should serve everyone with disabilities...

12-8-10
Single Department Concept
A New Service Delivery System for the 21St Century

The purpose of this proposal is to illustrate a method by which
Florida can create a single, efficient, consumer driven and community
-- based service delivery system to provide services to the over 6
million persons with disabilities in Florida. The ultimate goal is to
reduce administrative costs and increase access to services and
service dollars; create a more efficient, fraud resistant billing
system and create an economic stimulus creating new private sector
jobs.
• Combining all of the programs and services for persons With
disabilities, including the Florida Medicaid Waiver programs, under
one department`-. will enable the State to move precious resources to
actual service delivery for persons with:.disabilities and seniors
across the disability spectrum and Recycle.
• This department can have one point of entry with a standardized
application, eligibility criteria, provider qualifications, and
provider rates for all services and programs.
• Creation of new jobs in the areas of core munity - based service
delivery and fraud prevention methods. This would mean the recruitment
of new entrepreneurial minded providers into the system statewide.
To accomplish this goal, certain units can be removed from current
departments and placed in the new departmental structure. Personnel
requirements will then be determined, based on the overall
organization. Departments effected:
• Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA), the • Department of
Health (DOH), the • Department of Children and Families (DCF), the •
Department of Eider Affairs(CARES), the • Department of Education
(Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Blind Services), and • The
Agency for„Persons with Disabilities As this new department is being
physically formed, a new philosophy will also be nurtured. A
philosophy of ingenuity, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit,
where employees are encouraged to think "outside of the box" to solve
the problems we will face in the coming years. We must encourage
unique, public - private partnerships at every level, in order to
maximize our precious resources. This includes private entity
investment into not only service provision but employment
opportunities for persons with disabilities. It is only through this
"rebirth" of the physical and philosophical can we have a department
that is truly responsive to our citizens.

In Florida, every day over 6 million persons, with identified or
self-reported disabilities study, live, play, and work. The vast
majority of persons with disabilities can secure and maintain full or
part -- time competitive employment. They exhibit more courage and
fortitude daily than some people do in a lifetime. These Floridians do
not want a hand out but a hand up, a chance to maximize their
individual independence and to be as included in their community as
they wish, This untapped resource of ready and willing potential
employees should not be ignored.

Having all disability programs and services, including Medicaid
Waivers located within one department, will:

Streamline the application, eligibility, and acceptance process for
consumers and providers.

Eliminate the "silo" effect, bringing all state organizations working
with persons with disabilities under one organizational plan and chain
of command.

Reduce redundant administrative costs to include office space and
other such equipment.

Create new private sector opportunities for persons who become
disabled as adults. Require anyone wishing to file for federal
disability programs to register with Vocational Rehabilitation. Begin
early working with the person focusing on ways to maximize his/her
abilities. in many cases, it may be possible for the person with the
disability to emerge with a better, more lucrative career.

The department will maximize existing resources, such as using the
Clearinghouse on Disability Information to:
Maintain one website for all information on disabilities.
Operate a single toll-free phone number with accessibility built into
the system. Have a dedicated information referral system that not only
serves consumers, but providers and other state agencies.

❖ Allow the department to standardize the processes to determine
eligibility (one assessment instrument), provider qualifications and
enrollment, service limitations, rates of pay, nursing home transition
initiatives, etc.

❖ Reduce or maintain turnaround time in billing to enable providers to
receive pay for services in a timely fashion, while cutting down on
potential fraud.

Through a coordinated, functional needs based system, all individuals
with disabilities will have their needs assessed and identified by a
Global Assessment with a single Case Plan.

Bryan F. Vaughan, MS Executive Director Commission on Disabilities

1217/2010 Page 2 of 4

•:• Adapt the existing iBudget algorithm across the disabilities
spectrum to ensure a consistent and efficient distribution of scarce
resources.

:• Serve consumers and providers will be served in a timelier and more
consistent manner statewide.
One standardized assessment instrument to determine risk of
institutionalization and eligibility for waiver services would ensure
services are provided to those most in need and would reduce the
number of individuals currently on wait lists for the various waivers.
Provider qualifications and rate of pay will be consistent and allow
them to serve all populations without having to apply to work with
multiple waivers and organizations. The Legislature will only need to
deal with one budget to fund all the waivers. The processes for being
placed on a wait list will be standardized throughout all the
individual waivers.
Funding for community-based, long-term care services would be more
equitable for each of the disability groups competing for limited
resources.


Note: Some agencies may be reluctant' to relinquish administration of
their waiver programs. Consumers and providers currently being served
by the various waivers may be impacted if service limitations and
rates of pay are standardized. Use of the iBudget algorithm will
ensure a person's needs are met in an effective manner. Some
individual disability groups may be concerned about any change in the
current structure which can be mitigated through an appropriate public
information program.
Evidence to Support Single Department

The states of Illinois and Vermont have already gone to the single
entity system with good results. Real Choice Systems Change Grant
Program, Third Year Report: Progress and Challenges of the FY 2002 and
FY 2003 Grantees: (October 1, 2003 -- September 30, 2004) Final
Report.
Consolidation

The Governor's Commission on Disabilities, along with personnel from
the effected departments, advocates, and providers could work towards
the planning, development, and implementation of this single
department.

Planning & Timeline
Planning could begin to consolidate all programs and services,
including waivers under one department in the 2010 - 2011 fiscal year,
with implementation occurring in an on-going basis. Full consolidation
could take until the 2011 -- 2012 fiscal year.
Estimated Potential Savings
❖ A coordinated waiver program would require fewer administrative
staff, intake and referral staff, provider enrollment staff and fiscal
staff to moriitorexpenditures.
❖ There would be a reduction in allocated office space, expenses;, and
equipment allocations for personnel due to consolidation into one
agency. Multiple websites dedicated to the various waivers would be
reduced.to>one. This would also create a more user friendly,
accessible system of delivering information. **g Consolidating
multiple call-centers for consumers and providers would still allow
calls to be channeled from one line directly to the appropriate waiver
specialist.


Florida currently has a great need for more community - based service
providers. Partnerships with Colleges of Business at our State
Universities, as well as the Chamber of Commerce for Persons with
Disabilities, can promote an entrepreneurial effort to create these
small provider businesses.

To reduce fraud, a "call and verify" system can be included as part of
the billing cycle. When a provider bills the department, a random
verification system will identify a consumer to be called and asked if
helshe has received the items or services as billed. This process will
help prevent discrepancies and false claims as are potential risks
under the current system. The department can either decide to use one
or multiple verifying agencies. This can be performed by workers from
home (enabling persons with disabilities, seniors, or others who are
transportation
disadvantaged) or a central location.


--
Lighthouse of the Big Bend
Guiding People Through Vision Loss
3071 Highland Oaks Terrace
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 942-3658
www.lighthousebigbend.org
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and please make suggestions for new material.



if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.

Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI
and please make suggestions for new material.



if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.

Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI
and please make suggestions for new material.



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sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word 
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