July 11, 2022 Commissioner’s Note: At the start of the week, I sat down with RHA Health Services and received a tour of two of their community homes. It is always great to see firsthand how our providers and partners are supporting so many people with disabilities across our state. I’m grateful for providers like RHA for their work in Tennessee and the southeast to support people in reaching their own goals for their lives and ensuring they have the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives in their communities. I also want to thank Miss Tennessee, Brianna Mason, for stopping by the TN Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder’s meeting this week. It’s wonderful to see her interest in the work our state is doing for Tennesseans with autism, and for using her platform to be an advocate for people with autism and their families. 3 rd Annual Enabling Technology Summit: Join us for our 3rd Annual Enabling Technology Summit! This event will feature presentations focused on the landscape for Enabling Technology not only in Tennessee, but across the nation and world. Please register at this link: https://bit.ly/338WdX5 This event is free of charge, but due to limited space, we ask organizations to limit attendance to no more than two people. If you must cancel your attendance, please do so as quickly as possible by emailing [email protected]so we can provide the space to someone on the waiting list. 1
Transcript
May 25, 2023
Commissioner’s Note:
At the start of the week, I sat down with RHA Health Services and received a tour of two of their community homes. It is always great to see firsthand how our providers and partners are supporting so many people with disabilities across our state. I’m grateful for providers like RHA for their work in Tennessee and the southeast to support people in reaching their own goals for their lives and ensuring they have the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives in their communities.
I also want to thank Miss Tennessee, Brianna Mason, for stopping by the TN Council on Autism Spectrum Disorder’s meeting this week. It’s wonderful to see her interest in the work our state is doing for Tennesseans with autism, and for using her platform to be an advocate for people with autism and their families.
3 rd Annual Enabling Technology Summit:
Join us for our 3rd Annual Enabling Technology Summit! This event will feature presentations focused on the landscape for Enabling Technology not only in Tennessee, but across the nation and world. Please register at this link: https://bit.ly/338WdX5
This event is free of charge, but due to limited space, we ask organizations to limit attendance to no more than two people. If
you must cancel your attendance, please do so as quickly as possible by emailing [email protected] so we can provide the space to someone on the waiting list.
An agenda and more details can be found here: https://w ww.tn.gov/didd/for-consumers/enabling-technology/enabling-technology- summit.html
Title VI Self-Survey:
As another reminder, all contracted providers with DIDD are required to submit an annual Title VI Self-Survey. The deadline to submit the 2019 Title VI Self-Survey was
August 1, 2019. The data should cover July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019. If you have not made your submission, please do so as soon as possible.
EVV Training:
Sandata Technologies Sandata Technologies, DIDD’s vendor for Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), will be offering a series of trainings.
As a reminder, DIDD Providers of Personal Assistance and Respite services, based in Middle Tennessee, who are new to the Santrax Payer Management system are required to attend one day of classroom training on either the 6th, 7th, and 8th in preparation for the Middle region EVV go-live date of September 1, 2019. If you have not already registered for one of these three training dates, please contact Keri Brooks at 615-587-0887 for scheduling.
Middle Providers who are already using Santrax Payer Management as a part of the CHOICES or Employment Community First CHOICES program will not be able to attend in person but will be offered a webinar that will provide an overview of DIDD’s use of the system. Please register using the information below.
Topic: DIDD EVV Training for 9/1 Go LiveTime: Aug 13, 2019 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://sandata.zoom.us/j/334804557Or iPhone one-tap :US: +16468769923,,334804557# or +16699006833,,334804557# Or Telephone:Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 408 638 0968 Meeting ID: 334 804 557International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/adVazBZ9rI
Finally, Sandata will offer a refresher training for EVV users on completing Visit Maintenance in the Santrax Payor Management System. Please register using the information below.
Topic: DIDD Training - Santrax Visit Maintenance Time: Aug 14, 2019 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://sandata.zoom.us/j/972541796Or iPhone one-tap :US: +16468769923,,972541796# or +14086380968,,972541796# Or Telephone:Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 Meeting ID: 972 541 796International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/adVazBZ9rI
To learn more about EVV, please visit the DIDD website. Please sent inquires about EVV to DD_EVV OBS [email protected]
Training Update:
Relias has announced some new resources available to supervisors and training administrators. They recently compiled all their resources on hiring, training and retaining direct support professionals in one place which can be accesses through this link DSP Retention topic page. Relias also has created a page for accessing blog posts, Fatal Four posters, and other resources on the Fatal Four health issues in IDD: dehydration, seizures, aspiration, and constipation. You can access the resources by clicking this link Fatal Four topic page.
Relias has released an update to the course “Bon Appetit! An Overview of Safe Eating and Drinking Focused Learning” which offers an overview of eating and drinking best practices, including information about choking. It is not a required training, but agencies may find it useful.
TNDIDD Organizational Self-Assessment and Quality Improvement Course :
We are pleased to announce that DIDD has loaded onto Relias a new course created by the DIDD Clinical Unit, Therapeutic Services Division. The course is titled “TNDIDD Organizational Self-Assessment and Quality Improvement” and can be found by searching “Self-assessment” or “TNDIDD” in the modules search box. This course provides information on using the template found on our website to document the business process of self-assessment which is essential in the internal quality improvement process. The course has examples and valuable information on the documentation of personnel practices, training, audits, complaints, etc. as well as quality improvement plan documentation. All clinician agency administrators and agency quality assurance staff are encouraged to enroll in this new course to familiarize yourself with this template and review samples of good documentation. Non-clinical agency administration could benefit from this course as well.
Middle Region Quarterly Protection from Harm Provider Meeting Scheduled :
The Middle Tennessee Regional Office of Incident Management will be conducting their quarterly meeting on Friday August 9th, from 9:30AM-12:30PM at Middle Tennessee Regional Office, as noted below. Provider Incident Management Coordinators (IMCs) and/or provider Protection from Harm staff are invited to attend. This is an informational and interactive meeting, with opportunities for attendees to provide feedback pertaining to the Incident Management Unit. Provider Management is welcomed to designate a representative to attend, as needed.
If you have any questions, please contact Middle Regional Protection From Harm Coordinator, Susan Fuller at [email protected], Elizabeth Duhack, Director of Incident Management at [email protected] or Donna Nichols, Assistant Director of Incident Management at [email protected].
The Open House at our East Seating and Positioning Clinic on Thursday was a success. Thank you to all of the staff, providers, and community members who joined us. It was a fun and informative day in East Tennessee! Those who attended had the opportunity to tour the facility and talk with staff and people who receive services through the clinic.
The Seating and Positioning Clinics manufacture custom-made wheelchairs and positioning devices for persons with significant physical complexities to promote comfort and function.
Want to learn more about the transformative services and supports our three regional and mobile seating and positioning clinics provide? Visit the following link: https://www.tn.gov/…/for-consu…/seating-and-positioning.html
New Statewide Assistant Director of Incident Management:
Please join us in welcoming Donna Nichols as the new Statewide Assistant Director of Incident Management. She has been a State Employee for over 16 years, having previously worked as a DIDD Protection from Harm Investigator and for the Tennessee Department of Children Services as a Team Leader. We are excited to have her on-board as we continue to move forward in our Protection from Harm Unit!
The Office of General Counsel is pleased to announce that Solita Morris has accepted the position of Director of Policy effective Monday, July 22, 2019. Solita holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Middle Tennessee State University. She began her career with DIDD in 2007 and has worked in several positions with DIDD. During the past four years Solita worked in the Office of Policy & Innovation and her promotion to the position of Director of Policy will allow her to continue working with policies as well as other new opportunities as they become available. Solita may be reached at [email protected].
Chattanooga Focus Group:
The next Chattanooga Focus Group is scheduled for August 8, 2019 from noon – 2:00pm at the Brainerd Recreation Center at 1010 N Moore Rd; Chattanooga, Tennessee 37411. We are pleased that the staff from People First of Tennessee have agreed to present. Their program focusses on self-advocacy; leadership and self-governance. Efforts are under way for developing a Chapter in the Chattanooga area. Please join us to learn more. Also, kudos to the Accreditation Team Self-Advocate Mentors for assisting this month! Remember to bring a lunch & drinks. Desserts and door prizes will be provided. Please feel free to contact [email protected] or call 865-320-2196 if you have any questions.
WTRO DIDD Forums in Memphis and Jackson:
The West Tennessee Regional Office CQL Committee is offering “DIDD Community Forums” in Memphis and Jackson for Parents, Families and Conservators. The Forums will offer information and discussion on the principles of the Person-Centered Planning process and how stakeholders can assist in the person-centered approach for their family member. Please join us for the first forum discussion.
Please join us for this DIDD Community Forums. Dates and information for both Jackson and Memphis are below. RSVP TO: Yolanda Jones at 901-745-7031 or via email [email protected]
Memphis:When: Thursday, August 22, 2019 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 pmWhere: West Tennessee Regional Office 11437 Oak Crest Drive Arlington, Tennessee 901-745-7200Jackson:
