Early Intervention Program (EIP), Family Support (FSP) and Community Options Program (COP)

Advisory Committee 9/13/2012

Members Present:  Bill Gonwa, Linda Kirchner, Steve Hackett, Steve Wowzynski, Jeanne Gehrke, Amie Krueger, David Neumann, Shannon Seidel, Jenni Boelter, Nicole Lauritzen, Beth Hintz

Handouts available:  EIP/FSP/COP ADVISORY COMMITTEE Agenda, EIP/FSP/COP Advisory Committee Report 9/13/12, Family Support Program Statistics 9/13/12, Waupaca County FSP Allowable Services Guidelines, Consent to Access Private Insurance and/or Medicaid

I. Call to Order:  Linda Kirchner called the meeting to order at 4:40 pm.

II.  Approval of Minutes : 

Nicole Lauritzen made a motion to approve the minutes from the 5/10/2012 meeting.  Bill Gonwa seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

III. Family Support Program:

Dave Neumann is our new County Board representative.  No new perspective parents were present so the history of the FSP was not reviewed.

Bill reported there are currently 31 names on the Family Support funding list.  This includes three high-needs children that are utilizing Family Support Funding as “match” for the CLTS Waiver program.  A fourth high needs child turned 18 years old earlier this year and transitioned to the Family Care Program effective March 1^st.  This has opened up a slot for another high needs child to utilize Family Support funding as “match” for the CLTS Waiver.  The child that will be moved into this slot is yet to be determined.  This slot will be filled after January 1.  The following is a breakdown of the activity that has occurred thus far this year:

37 children are currently open and receiving family support funding.  45 children were served last year. 

27 of the children who are currently open for Family Support funding are also open on the CLTS waiver and are receiving one-time funding to pay for a service not covered by the CLTS waiver.  The Family Support Program covers such things as camps, home modifications and a summer social experience.

4 children were recently sent letters and are in the process of being opened for FSP funding.

8 families have declined FSP funding in 2012 but wish to have their child remain on the funding list for future needs.

2 children have not yet received 2012 funding letters. (Letters have intentionally not been sent to these two children because they are in the process of being opened on the CLTS waiver which will cover the majority of their needs.)

Of the $48,448.18 that is available for direct services, $30,162.89 has been allocated so far this year leaving $18,285.29 remaining.  This is a significant amount of money to not have allocated at this point of the year.  Families who are open for services are being re-contacted and asked if they have any additional unmet needs.  Up to 5% ($2,633.40) of the total $52,668.00 allocation to Waupaca County for the 2012 funding year can be carried over into 2013.

$52,668.00 – 2012 Base Allocation (estimated)

+      625.00 – Estimated carryover from CY 11

-$ 4,844.82 – Administrative costs (10%)

$48,448.18 – Money available for direct services (estimated)

The State is in the process of revising the FSP/CLTS manual.  The old policies are still being followed.  The State will be limiting the flexibility of the guidelines.  Bill is concerned that the State has not asked parents or groups such as this Advisory committee for input.  We don’t want to lose the focus of the Family Support Program, which is the family.

Bill handed out the Waupaca County Family Support Program Allowable Services Guidelines.  These guidelines will be on the agenda for review at the next meeting.

IV. Early Intervention Program:

Quarterly Report for the time period 4-1-12 – 6-30-12.  59 children were served (had or have an open IFSP).  34 children were referred.  Of the 34 referrals (6 were CAPTA referrals).

1 – Lost to followup

1 – Transfer to different county (referral was initially made to wrong county)

1 – Eligible but refused services at this time

2 – Screen only

3 – Family denied a screen or an evaluation

3 – Child was over 3 years of age

2 – Still in the process of screening or evaluation/IFSP

5 – Did not qualify (went through whole evaluation process)

16 – Eligible and accepted services

Targeted Case Management - $8445.39  Cost Share - $915.00

Program Update:  Birth-3 Updates for the time period 5-10-12 – 9-13-12:

Governor Initiatives:  There has been no further information received on possible revenue avenues for the B-3 Program through the 1937 Plan.

Findings of Non-Compliance for fiscal year 2010:  July 1, 2010-June 30-2011:  Waupaca County has two findings for non-compliance:  Indicator 1-Timely Services (30 day start from IFSP date and Indicator 7 – 45 day timeline (placement offered from 45 days of referral date).  In June we were able to verify that two consecutive months met compliance for these two indicators, thus meeting requirements for the 2010 fiscal year.

Program Self-Improvement:  We are investigating providing staff training around the topics of families living in poverty and perhaps families affected with mental health concerns.  We continue to support each other in coaching strategies and overall best practice intervention techniques.

Part C Regulations – Implementation July 1

- 45 day timeline:  A consent for screening children has been created and is in the process of being implemented.

- Initial/Annual IFSP:  WC is holding an IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) meeting when Transition Steps are being established.  Referrals to schools are happening on the date of a Transition Planning conference or before the conference as required.

- Parental Consent and WPN for Insurance:  Waupaca County has created a form to include WPN (Written Prior Notice Requirements) and is obtaining consent to bill if there is an increase in services or an increase in frequency or duration.  (Form is available if anyone would like to see.)  We will begin using this new form as soon as duplicate forms return from printing.  In the interim, parents have been notified of Written Prior Notice Requirements and signatures for billing are being obtained each time there is an increase in frequency or duration or a service is added to a plan.

- Other IDEA requirements – Minor changes to IDEA have been provided to counties by the state today and will be reviewed by our program in the next week.

Family ECHO surveys:  We have received results from the 2011 surveys (for 2010 fiscal year July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011).  These results will be shared at our next meeting.  We will be sending surveys for the 2011 fiscal year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Self Assessment:  Waupaca County B-3 will have their annual self assessment on October 16 with a follow up discussion with our state lead on October 30.

Staff Updates:  Ann Nischke with NEW Rehab began providing occupational therapy services for the B-3 Program at the end of August.  Allison Halada (3H Speech Therapy), speech therapist, is on maternity leave and Lisbeth Hintz (LOGOS Speech Therapy) is the therapist covering services during Allison’s leave.  Allison is expected to return on October 22.  Shannon Seidel is a student teacher who will be with us for the next nine weeks.

Toddle Time/Family Resource Center:  Toddle Time is resuming after summer break. We are continuing to utilize space at the CAP Service building and collaborating with Early Head Start to reduce rent cost and build partnerships to provide optimal services to families.

The Family Resource Center is resuming classes as well after summer break.  Brochures are available to see the wonderful free classes offered to families in Waupaca County.

V.  Other Business

Jenni Boelter gave an update on Autism Matters.  The Summer Social Experience (SSE) program is offered in Waupaca and Manawa for kids that have autism.  The number of participants increases every year.  A book was passed around.  Parents say the transition back to school is much easier when their children attend this program during the summer.  24 children were served in 2012, which is an increase from last year.

VI.  Schedule Next Meeting – the next meeting  date is December 6 at 4:30 pm in the UW-Ext Conference Room.

VII. Adjourn – Amie Krueger made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Steve Wowzynski and motion carried.  The meeting was adjourned at 5:33 pm.

Submitted by,

 Beth Hintz, Clerk Typist III