NYSACRA

NYS-OPTS Update: March 29, 2005 Part IV

NYS - OPTS UPDATE: MARCH 29, 2005 NYS OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE THROUGH SERVICESMarch 29, 2005 News from the OPTS Admin Unit (#3-2005) 1. OPTS Questions 2. Proposal Status Report as of 3/28/05 3. REVISIONS to OPTS Service Types 4. Interim Payment Process while Web-based Application is in development 5. Interim Reporting Questions from the Statewide Evaluation Committee 6. Additional Brief Descriptions of Approved Proposals 7. Information Sharing 8. Why You May Receive Multiple Copies of this Message 1. OPTS Questions The phone number for the OPTS Admin Unit is (518) 408-2744. E-mail addresses are: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it OPTS questions can be sent via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Questions of general interest will be included in a “Frequently Asked Questions” listing that is being compiled. OPTS proposals must be submitted electronically through the OMRDD Secure Message Center to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 2. Proposal Status Report as of March 28, 2005 Proposals Received 122 Proposals Complete 105 a Health Checks Complete 93 b Consumer Verifications Complete 64 c Team Review Meetings Held/Scheduled 64 d Awaiting Scheduling of Team Review Meeting 2 Recommended for Approval, Not Yet Approved 3 Proposals Approved 12 Implemented 2 e Number of Proposals “On Hold” 18 f Number of Proposals “Not OPTS” 19 g a – Contact telephone numbers required as part of the OPTS Application. View the OPTS Application, including the Budget and Roster (Microsoft Excel document) through the OMRDD Home Page, Information for Providers, Options for People Through Services. b – Three proposals have been unsuccessful in completing the Health Check. c – Several proposals have “completed” the consumer verification step, but have been put “on hold” due to insufficient participation by the consumers, families and/or advocates. Six proposals have been unsuccessful in completing the Consumer Verification. d – Several proposals have been reviewed twice, the initial review and then upon receipt of supplemental information from the non-profit provider. e – Payments continue to be processed on a monthly basis under the Interim Payment Process. f – A non-profit provider may be asked to prioritize their proposals when they have multiple proposals submitted, this category includes proposals non-profit providers designate as a low priority. g – Proposals determined “Not OPTS” are either services OMRDD is not authorized to provide, have already been approved for implementation outside of OPTS, or the non-profit provider has withdrawn. 3. REVISIONS to OPTS Service Types As the NYS OPTS Initiative develops, the innovations being proposed lead us to defining Service Types that capture the essence of the proposed service delivery. Several changes to the OPTS Service Types provided in our February News have been made during the past month, and are shown below. 8. Blended Day Habilitation and Prevocational Services (Blended DP): Services, on any given day, may meet those defined as Group Day Habilitation, Prevocational, or both. The expectation is that persons are in need of both Group Day Habilitation and Prevocational, and the services delivered on a daily basis can vary between these two previously defined services. This OPTS Service Type was previously called Blended Day Service. 19. Blended Day Habilitation, Prevocational and Supported Employment Services (Blended DPS): Services, on any given day, may meet those defined as a Group Day Habilitation, Prevocational, Supported Employment (SEMP), or any combination of these service types. The expectation is that persons are in need of Group Day Habilitation and Prevocational, and will obtain or be maintained in a compensated employment setting. Services delivered on a daily basis can vary between these three previously defined services. Under NYS OPTS Services, the SEMP portion of this service is only recognized on days when face-to-face services are provided. This OPTS Service Type was previously called Blended Employment Services. The service was previously described for persons in need of Group Day Habilitation or Prevocational, but is now Group Day Habilitation and Prevocational. 20. Blended Prevocational and Supported Employment Services (Blended PS): Services, on any given day, may meet those defined as Prevocational or Supported Employment (SEMP). The expectation is that persons are in need of Prevocational, will obtain or be maintained in a compensated employment setting. Services delivered on a daily basis can vary between these two previously defined services. Under NYS OPTS Services, the SEMP portion of this service is only recognized on days when face-to-face services are provided. This is a NEW OPTS Service Type. NOTE: The list of OPTS Service Types provided in our February News (#2-2005) and modified by the above, does not limit the proposal ideas that can be submitted. “Other” may be appropriate for the initial submission of many proposals. When a proposal is approved for implementation, however, the service documentation requirements must be specified for the Appendix B to the OPTS Agreement to be prepared. An OPTS Service Type name must be given to the service, or services, to be delivered by the proposal. 4. Interim Payment Process while Web-based Application is in development An Interim Payment Process is in place to pay non-profit providers who have implemented their OPTS pilot proposals. Listed below are features of the Interim Payment Process, with notes highlighting differences that will be seen when the Web-based Internet Application is in place. INTERIM PAYMENT PROCESS Provider specific conference calls are held to discuss the Interim Payment Process and to review sample documents. Signed Standard Vouchers (AC-92) are obtained from non-profit providers. Prior to the end of a service month, OMRDD sends, via the Secure Message Center (SMC), a service specific EXCEL spreadsheet. The service specific EXCEL spreadsheet identifies the individuals authorized for service, based on DDP-1 program enrollments in TABS. At the conclusion of the service month, the non-profit provider completes the EXCEL spreadsheet and returns it to OMRDD, via the SMC, identifying the OPTS Contract Number, Service Month and OPTS Service being reported. Electronic Attestation must accompany each service reporting transmission. OMRDD calculates the payment due and transmits to OSC for check/electronic transfer to the non-profit provider. OMRDD sends to the non-profit provider a summary report of paid services and a consumer specific report of services paid. WEB-BASED APPLICATION Provider training on the Web-based Application will be held. Non-profit providers will not need to sign vouchers. Web-based screens available daily for service reporting. Rosters will reflect most up-to-date program enrollments based TABS on processed DDP-1 and OPTS service Authorization. Web-based service reporting can occur daily, saved data will be transmitted via Internet connection Attestation must be completed before user begins data entry. Scheduled payment calculations will occur two times a month. Payment Reports will be generated following each payment run, and available for user printing. 5. Interim Reporting Questions from the Statewide Evaluation Committee The Statewide Evaluation Committee met March 9th and reviewed the Interim Reporting Questions prepared from prior Committee meetings. The Committee agreed that further revisions were needed. The Interim Reporting Questions will be shared when finalized. Every non-profit provider who implements a pilot proposal will be expected to answer the Interim Reporting Questions. 6. Brief Description of Approved Proposals OPTS #18 for 20 Individuals OPTS Service(s) = Blended Day Habilitation, Prevocational and Supported Employment Services (or Blended DPS) – Offering of meaningful opportunities to allow for transitioning between day habilitation services and employment supports on any given day, for the proposed individuals who have Autism and present significant behavioral challenges is the objective this proposal. Because of the behavioral challenges the individuals present, intensive services (daily supports) will be needed to maintain the individuals in employment opportunities that are found for them. OPTS #33 for 325 Individuals Target Implementation Date – May 1, 2005 OPTS Service(s) = Blended Day Habilitation and Prevocational Services (Blended DP) plus Monthly Supported Employment – Conversion of two day treatment programs is planned with transition from the existing program facilities to community based options. Increased opportunities for community inclusion, volunteer endeavors, living skills training and leisure activities are expected to be offered to the participants. For those individuals who achieve gainful employment, monthly Supported Employment will be provided as a service separate from the Blended DP. OPTS #76 for 24 Individuals Target Implementation – May 1, 2005 OPTS Service(s) = Supplemental Day Habilitation - This proposal is for services that begin after the school day ends, or occasional weekends. The proposal is intended to help the young adults prepare for life after school by teaching skills they will need to live independently (daily living skills as well as skills needed to interact in the community) and also offers opportunities to participate in social activities. OPTS #41 for 12 Individuals OPTS Service(s) = Supervised IRA Residential Habilitation - Downsize and convert an existing 12 person Community Residence to 8 persons by developing a 4 person residence that will be single story to increase mobility and access. Increased participation in community activities is expected, from the individuals in both homes, since choices can be more tailored to the interests of fewer individuals. The individuals who remain in the existing home will have greater privacy by fewer shared bedrooms and less crowded common space so friends and family can be encouraged to visit more often. 7. Information Sharing We encourage you to share the information in this message with individuals who are interested in knowing more about recent activities associated with the NYS OPTS initiative.