We are now working with your case managers and case workers to implement the rate increases that were approved with an effective date of August 1, 2009.  The increase will translate into about 65 cents per hour extra for your attendants, which you can give in the form of a bonus, as increased wages, or use for other benefits.  As we receive the authorizations from your case managers and case workers and can verify that the increase is showing in the authorization, you will receive a revised budget from us with instructions on what to do next.

Effective immediately, participants in the CLASS program may also choose to self-direct hourly nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.  The annual nursing reassessment will continue to be completed by your DSA. 

These professionals would be your employees and would be responsible for filling out the same forms currently completed by your personal care attendants.  They would have additional responsibility for completing plans of care and providing you with proof that they are licensed.

For additional information, please contact your service coordinator who can explain what you will need to do at your next IPP to transfer those services. 

Additionally support consultation services are now available to CLASS participants.  This program allows you to hire someone to provide you with additional support in learning how to be an employer.  Your case manager will review this new service with you at your next IPP. 

The Health and Human Services Commission meets in December to set rates for nursing services in the MDCP program. Planned for an effective February 1 date, DADS hopes to announce that MDCP CDS clients will be able to hire and their own RNs and LVNs.

The CDS agency will process the payroll. Individuals who choose this route will need to maintain a relationship with a home care agency, as the agency will need to conduct quarterly supervisory visits. Any LVNs working will have to be supervised by an RN. 

When guidelines are published we will send notices out to all MDCP clients. As mentioned above, DADS is planning to make this effective in February of next year, but with type of complex addition to the array of services for MDCP, it would not be surprising to have a delay.   Nursing services became available to CBA clients in September 2008.

DSSW's CDSinTexas has added HCS (Home and Community Based Services) to the array of CDS services provided by Disabiity Services of the Southwest.  DSSW will provide this service to all HCS regions in Texas