Last month, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) posted the Amended HCBS Statewide Transition Plan. After a thorough review and analysis of the document, INARF developed comments and submitted them to FSSA and DDRS for consideration. You can view INARF’s comments on the the Amended HCBS Statewide Transition Plan here.

Earlier today, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) posted the following information on a funding opportunity for employment services establishment projects:

BRS implemented major revisions to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) employment services in July 2015. Over the last year, BRS released information regarding best practices, provided technical assistance and continues to make necessary revisions to further improve employment services and ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to needed services and supports.

​DDRS announced yesterday that First Steps will be offering a free Webinar sponsored by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Project LAUNCH, Depression in Mothers: More than the Blues as a core First Steps training. This webinar, which highlights their recently developed maternal depression toolkit, is designed for early childhood professionals working with new mothers to raise awareness and understanding of maternal depression. 

​INARF has learned that the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Audit Division has begun scheduling audits for several services. We believe these audits are a part of their normal auditing processes to meet federal audit requirements associated with administration of HCBS waivers. We know that Prevocational and Facility Habilitation services are included in the audits, and we believe that at least two other services will be included. The auditors plan to review documentation providers have to support their billings. 

​Earlier this week, the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) shared the information below about the Case Management, Life Course Alignment Project.

This past June, the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services laid the foundation for a collective vision for supporting individuals with disabilities in Indiana. Rooted in the LifeCourse Framework developed by the National Community of Practice for Supporting Families of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, DDRS’s vision brings together commonly held values and beliefs into a comprehensive approach to developing integrated supports that empower individuals with disabilities and their families to chart a LifeCourse consistent with their needs and aspirations.