The Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Darke DD) has experienced several significant changes over the past few months.  Historically, Darke DD has provided facility-based services to Darke County residents having developmental disabilities.  Darke DD has always hired direct service staff to provide services based on an individual’s person-centered service plan which was developed by Darke DD staff.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – a federal agency – has determined that a conflict of interest exists for agencies that develop service plans and also provide Medicaid funded direct services identified in the plan.  Therefore, Darke DD will no longer hire direct service staff that provides direct services to eligible individuals while also developing the individual’s service plan.  We will continue in the role of developing the person-centered service plan and pay for the services needed in the plan but will no longer provide staffing for the direct services identified in the plan.

Although Darke DD doesn’t provide staffing for these direct services, we continue to be responsible for recruiting providers to our county, determining eligibility, developing the service plan, monitoring services, coordinating community connections, identifying and purchasing housing, and funding the services required to meet the needs of eligible individuals.  We continue to provide early intervention services to children who qualify.  At this time, early intervention services are not funded through Medicaid and therefore don’t follow the same restrictions as other services.

There have been many questions regarding this significant transition in the developmental disabilities system.  Here are just a few questions we’ve heard from the community:

Why is Darke DD making all of these changes?  Darke DD isn’t the only developmental disabilities board making these changes.  Changes in federal regulations have prompted all county boards of DD in Ohio to transition to a new service/business model.  Counties in Ohio are at different points in their transition, but all are required to follow regulations from CMS.  We think our DD service delivery system in Darke County has worked very well over the years.  In response to new regulations, we have worked hard to ensure that quality services continue in our community and that individuals and families are supported appropriately.  We have looked for new opportunities for individuals throughout the process and are excited that new service options are available in Darke County.  It is still vitally important to have local tax payer support to continue providing needed services to individuals with developmental disabilities living in Darke County.

Did Wayne Industries close?  You may have seen recent articles about a new provider at the Wayne Industries facility.  You may have read a recent legal notice regarding the dissolution of the Wayne Industries, Inc., Board of Trustees.  As you may be aware, the Wayne Industries, Inc. Board of Trustees worked in coordination with the Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities to provide a conduit for work activities for eligible individuals at the Wayne Industries facility.  In the past, Darke DD hired and paid staff members to support eligible individuals in completing contract work.  The payroll for eligible individuals was processed through Wayne Industries, Inc.  Now that Darke DD is not providing direct services, a new private agency has filled the work option role of Darke DD and Wayne Industries, Inc.  This private agency leases space and hires staff to support eligible individuals complete contract work opportunities.  This same agency also provides day services at the Wayne Industries facility.  Darke DD continues to fund the services based on established Medicaid rates for day services and transportation.

This scenario holds true for a number of other provider agencies who have come to Darke County.  Individuals can choose from a number of Medicaid certified day services, transportation, and employment providers.  Darke DD is no longer an option for these direct services accessed through Medicaid funding.  Rather, each individual has ‘free choice of provider’ when choosing the service provider they feel will best meet their unique needs.

Keep in mind that Darke DD, as Local Medicaid Administrative Authority, still coordinates services and provides the funds necessary for services identified in the service plan.  Local tax levy dollars continue to be used for services.  In reality, the need for local funding of services has increased as individuals continue to choose community inclusion and employment on an increasing basis.  The financial focus is now on coordinating services and community participation rather than on bricks and mortar that tend to result in more segregated activities.  This is a very different business model than we have been used to for the past thirty years.

Darke DD remains committed and accountable to not only the individuals and families we serve but also to all taxpayers of Darke County by trying to keep you informed of the changes in our system.  We continue to develop new partnerships with community members and agencies that promote our philosophy that all people are valuable and have potential.  The new service/business model aligns with our mission to empower people with developmental disabilities to explore possibilities for their lives by maximizing independence, community participation, employment, and economic self-sufficiency in their daily life experiences.

A quote from John F. Kennedy is most appropriate, “Change is the law of life.  And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”  Darke DD is looking to the future to provide more service options with increased work and community-based opportunities across the lives of individuals we support.