Conference at a Glance

Conference Registration/Hotel Information

Conference Schedule

WEDNESDAY, October 7, 2009

8:15 am to 11:45 am: PPAT Member Meeting and Annual Board Elections

1:00 pm to 4:45 pm: Welcome & Key Note - Managed Care vs Managing Care

Robert M. Gettings, national expert on public policy and former Director of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services (NASDDDS), will conduct a two-part session on trends in service delivery across the states and implications of national health care reform legislation for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Given the deliberations and ultimate directive to develop a plan to implement a capitated and non-capitated managed care pilot for the IDD service system resultant from the 81s^th Legislative Session, it is critical we are familiar with the managed care designs used in other states and their respective impact on those providing the services and, more importantly, those receiving the services. (two part session)

5:00 pm to 7:30 pm: Welcoming Reception & Silent Auction Opening
Hors D'Oeuvres & Cash Bar

THURSDAY, October 8, 2009

7:00 am to 8:00 am: Breakfast with Exhibitors

7:00 am to 6:00 pm: Exhibit Hall Open

7:30 am to 5:00 pm: Registration Open

8:00 am to 8:45 am: Concurrent Sessions

Section 48: Transfer of Case Management, Cheryl Craddock-Melchor, DADS; Mary Skillman, DADS; Debbie Little Smith, DADS; Ken Collins, MHMRA of Harris County; Susan Garnett, MHMR of Tarrant County; Melissa Rasco, CALAB, Inc.; Richard Hernandez, EduCare and Amy Mizcles, The Arc, If you have not heard, the 81st Texas Legislature directed the transfer of the case management function from the HCS provider to the MRA. The targeted implementation date for the transfer to occur is June 1, 2010. This session will review the impetus for the mandate, the plans for implementation, the delineation of the responsibilities of the provider and those of the MRA and other processes related to this legislative mandate. If you are an HCS provider, MRA or family member or person receiving HSC services, you will not want to miss this session! Time will be allotted to ask questions and share ideas on how to ensure the success of this initiative � not only ideas related to regulatory and policy issues, but also ideas on how providers and MRAs can adjust their current organizational structure in fulfilling their roles and ideas on how families and persons receiving services can smoothly navigate the transition to this change in HSC service provision.
Texas Microboard Collaboration, Lisa Rivers, ARC of Texas: Don�t know what a microboard is? This session will provide the answer, as well as, other details about the Texas Microboard Collaboration including how to form a microboard under the Texas Medicaid program for your family member with a disability and the benefits of managing a �natural support microboard.�
Fair Housing, Garth Corbett, Advocacy, Inc.: Join us for a discussion of how local governmental entities, neighborhood groups and unrelated persons violate the premise that single family homes are for those who are actually related by family. A review of disability-based discrimination laws related to a national commitment to end the unnecessary exclusion of persons with disabilities from the American mainstream will also occur.
The Ethics of Touch, Cema Mastroleo, SafePlace, Attendees will learn ways to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries in service provision to people with disabilities based on the work of Dave Hingsburger. Topics will include a review of and discussion on touches exchanged during social opportunities - from affection expression to intimate services such as bathing and toileting - in ways that respect people with disabilities dignity and safety, as well as staff appropriate professional boundaries.

9:00 am to 10:00 am: Concurrent Sessions

Section 48: Transfer of Case Management, cont�d.
Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Collaborating to Support Individuals w/ Challenging Behaviors, Nancy Rosenau & Michael Tucker, Every Child, Inc., An overview of PBS and outline of its critical features will be presented. The session will also explore the benefits of implementing PBS on an organization-wide basis and provide details about current collaborations and opportunities for future collaboration with providers to achieve this goal.
Texas Medicaid Buy-in Program for Eligible Working People with Disabilities, Elizabeth Gregowitz, DARS, This exciting new program offers affordable health coverage to eligible people with disabilities who are employed and need health insurance, or who want to significantly increase their earnings while keeping their Medicaid benefits.
Abuse: Indicators, Response, and Safety Planning, Cema Mastroleo, SafePlace, A dialogue with providers regarding possible indicators of abuse against people with disabilities; tips on how to sensitively respond to the various ways people with disabilities may disclose abuse; and referrals for safety planning to reduce the risks of violence.

10:00 am to 10:30 am: Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall

10:30 am to Noon: Concurrent Sessions

Emergency Preparedness Update, Chris Adams, Director of Survey Operations, DADS, DADS Regulatory Services staff will present an update on the statewide plans for emergency preparedness/response for long-term care providers including ICFs/MR and IDD waiver providers to include provider developed emergency response plans, use of the FIVES reporting system, transportation and relocation resources identification, sheltering in place and re-entry preparedness planning. Additionally, time will be allocated for questions and answers for attendees to gain additional information about regulatory compliance requirements related specifically to emergency preparedness and response.
Aging Consumers: A Crisis in the Making, Angela King, Volunteers of America, Inc., As people with developmental disabilities are aging in increasing numbers the service system is struggling to find answers to address the service support issues they face. Across the country new options are appearing and sometimes old options are being resurrected. This session will focus on various support services being developed in other states and how these options might be applied in Texas.
Labor Laws, Dana Stripling, Garlo Ward, P.C., Understanding and complying with labor laws is a never-ending challenge with ever-changing requirements. The current Administration has vowed to crack down on wage and hour, discrimination, immigrant employment and other abuses and has recently authorized significant funding for more agency auditors and investigators. Immigration agents have been specifically instructed to shift focus from rounding up illegal workers to identifying and penalizing violating employers. This session will discuss the most problematic laws for providers including: wage and hour exemptions, overtime and deductions; managing employee leave time; latest developments in Supreme Court decisions and new legal requirements under several 2009 and other recent amendments, including FMLA, anti-discrimination laws, I-9 compliance, increasing union activities affecting even non-unionized providers, and employee fraud and theft issues. Attendees will receive training, practical tools and forms to craft effective and compliant employee policies and practices that can be implemented to insulate their companies against employee claims. The session will also review policies and practices related to recovering expenses from employees, including losses for stolen, unreturned or damaged facility property as well as DADS training and policy Compliance for Corporate Compliance/Fair Debt Reduction Act requirements.
HCS Nursing Services Billing Issues Under the Current and Proposed Guidelines, Jan Strickland, JCS Consulting and Ton Blackwell, D & S Residential, Many providers have voiced a number of concerns regarding the billing of HCS Nursing Services. Some of these issues involve what services can be done by unlicensed personnel. It also includes what services must be done by an RN rather than an LVN. We will address justification for nursing based on consumer needs. This presentation will provide a format for addressing such concerns through an open discussion with questions and answers.

Noon to 1:15 pm: Lunch on your own

1:15 pm to 2:45 pm: Concurrent Sessions

How to Protect Yourself from Personal Liability, Julie K. Plowman, Garlo Ward, P.C., This session will address a range of legal issues that must be considered to run your business most efficiently while reducing your risk of legal claims. The session will also provide a brief overview of recent changes in employment law.
Swine Flu: What You Need to Know, Neil Pascoe, DSHS, Information on infections in the community that have been of concern for years such as MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus), have changed epidemiology (Clostridium difficile) or new infections that are emerging (pandemic influenza H1N1) will be discussed. Mr. Pascoe, senior epidemiologist in the infectious disease control unit at DSHS, will share his observations on these conditions as well as general control measures that can be applied to any setting.
Say What You Need to Say, Joanalys B. Smith, Law Offices of Joanalys B. Smith, A year in regulatory review, this presentation will survey the recurring themes in survey, billing and cost report reviews. In addition to arming you with the information to prevent the problems of the recent past from becoming your own, the presentation will provide tips on potential pitfalls in new regulation.
Building A Professional Direct Support Workforce, Linda Petrini, Web Footed Friends, Inc., This presentation, based on a special study created by Ms. Petrini, outlines the participation of many industry leaders across the country in and the application of a unique project involving approximately 1,000 Direct Support Professionals (DSP) in different work settings. Not �just another study,� this effort was designed to develop new systems to indentify the unique DSP roles based on work setting and characteristics of those served. Researchers have mapped top performance traits of DSPs to help providers understand what characteristics they should be looking for when hiring staff. This strategy has been successful in other industries, increasing productivity, retention, and cost control and customer satisfaction. The applications of the information system created from the research are vast. Ms. Petrini will discuss the impact on turnover, recruitment, training, communication, management and increasing capacity. She will also discuss how this can be accomplished without the need to find more money and how these improvements will save money for the public and private sectors. Learn about the Return on Investment (ROI) that is better than Wall Street offered in the good old days! This is a project �for the industry, by the industry� so please be prepared to share your comments and questions!

2:45 pm to 3:15pm: Refreshment Break in Exhibit Hall

3:15 pm to 4:45pm: Concurrent Sessions

Cost Report Regulations, Pam Peters, Garlo Ward, P.C., This session will introduce the intersection of legal and regulatory issues in the ICF/MR and HCS cost reporting processes.
End of Life and Advance Directives, Jerri Ward, Garlo Ward, P.C., This session will discuss current issues and regulations related to end of life and advance directive decisions.
Why Can�t We Be Friends? Joanalys B. Smith, Law Offices of Joanalys B. Smith, Solicitation is a growing concern in our industry as well as a barrier to collaboration and cooperation among providers. This presentation discusses the current status of the law in the area of solicitation and permissible responses to events which give rise to a concern about solicitation. Participants will receive an agreement for use with their staff, intended to limit the opportunity for solicitation.
TCDD, Enabling Technology Grant, Joanna Cordry, TCDD Planning Coordinator, and Melissa Loe, TCDD Communications Coordinator, The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities is a federally funded state agency with a mission to �create change so all people with disabilities will be fully included in their communities and exercise control over their own lives.� The Council consists of 27 governor appointed individuals, at least 60% of whom are adults with disabilities or parents whose children have disabilities. The Council staff, at the guidance of the Council, actively advocate for policies that support the Council�s mission and manage a variety of grant projects around the state. Speakers will provide a brief overview of the Council and discuss one specific future grant project, �Enabling Technology.� Through this grant, the Council intends to promote the formation of partnerships between organizations that serve people with developmental disabilities and organizations in the technology industry and to support those partnerships to develop and demonstrate technology that assists people with developmental disabilities to be more independent.

5:15 pm to 7:00 pm: Happy Hour & Silent Auction Closing - Cash Bar

FRIDAY, October 9, 2009

8:00 am to 3:30 pm: Registration Open

8:15 am to 9:15 am: Concurrent Sessions

Provider Reimbursement: Impact of Changes for FY 2010-2011, Dennis Henegar, Henegar & Associate, LLC, Between the 81st Legislature and mandated changes from CMS, the reimbursement structure that will be effective in FYs 2010-2011 will have a significant impact on provider operations. The changes include: a 1.75% ICF/MR rate adjustment; redistribution of the HCS administrative and operations fees across HCS services; application of the HCS �hold harmless� funds resultant from the transfer of the case management function and related funds from the provider to the MRA; and implementation of HHSC Rider 67 related to replacement of the current fiscal accountability requirements with either a wage enhancement program or some other performance measure to monitor provider spending. This session will review these changes and related factors in detail, including: a) impetus for the changes, b) factors used in determining the rates, c) how such factors affected the rate models, hence the rates, d) how the changes will impact cost reporting, and e) how providers will need to adjust their operations to accommodate these changes.
Investigating Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation: Update From and Discussion with APS, Karl Urban, DFPS and Wendy Ivy, DFPS, SB 643 (Senator Nelson) - 81st Texas Legislature - changed responsibility for investigations in private ICFs/MR from the Department of Aging and Disability Services to the Adult Protective Services (APS) program under the Department of Family and Protective Services. Other legislation also affected the overall investigation program. This session will provide an overview of APS implementation plans, discuss other current or potential program changes/issues, and provide an opportunity for provider feedback and dialogue with program leadership.
Supported Employment, Adrienne Nevola, DADS, Calling HCS, CLASS and ICF/MR providers � this session will provide an overview of DADS' Supported Employment Initiative including the Employment First pilot in the HCS program and expansion of the state supported living center pilot in collaboration with the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).
Adhering to HCS Behavioral Restraint Regulations, Mike Messinger, MGM Consulting, This presentation will (1) review statistics for physical holds, and injuries and deaths resulting from physical holds; (2) examine the latest trends on reduction of physical holds; (3) cover changes in the Department of Family and Protective Services' standards for seclusion, physical holds and training requirements over the last 5 years; (4) discuss ways to meet these standards; and (5) encourage participants to share their training issues and struggles in order to ensure standards are met and reviewers are happy.

9:15 am to 10:15 am: Concurrent Sessions

Provider Reimbursement: Impact of Changes for FY 2010-2011, cont�d.
Investigating Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation, cont�d.
Increasing Staff Performance to Achieve Effective Supports, John Casner, M.Ed., Casner Consulting Services, Providing quality supports requires direct support staff to provide specific activities and exercise specific skills that will result in effective supports and desired consumer outcomes. Research has identified strategies that will increase staff performance in Implementing and documenting behavior support plans, skill acquisition plans, and keeping people engaged in leisure activities. This presentation will review the professional literature in this area and describe how to establish ongoing management strategies to increase staff performance that will result in improved consumer outcomes.
Special Olympics, Mike Sullivan, Special Olympics, Information on "transition" tools for postgraduate adult athletes moving from the school system to adult life will be presented. An overview of all Special Olympics programs with emphasis on the Unified Partners program for intellectually disabled adults that will be partnering with seniors citizens and young business professionals to form unified sports teams will also be discussed.

10:15 am to 10:30 am: Refreshment Break

10:30 am to Noon: Concurrent Sessions

Changes in the HCS Survey Process, Debbie Little Smith, DADS, Waiver Survey and Certification will present information on the new residential and foster care review process mandated by the legislature, the revised certification review process, and the expansion of the Waiver Survey and Certification unit. Review tools that will be used for residential and certification reviews will be shared.
Technology for People with Disabilities, Dustin Wright, General Manager, Rest-Assured, Learn the latest in wireless technology for in-home support services for consumers, how it works, and its benefits. Session attendees will learn how the system works, benefits of using a wireless technology system, cost savings associated and barriers with public funding sources.
Increasing Staff Performance to Achieve Effective Supports, cont�d.
New Criminal History Check Requirements, Ronnie Lane, Texas Department of Public Safety

Noon to 1:15 pm: Lunch on your own

1:15 pm to 3:30 pm: Closing Session - (Refreshment Break 2:30 to 2:45)

The 81^st Legislative Session and Its Impact on Services to Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Facilitated by Greg Hooser, Sneed, Vine & Perry, this session will afford attendees the opportunity to hear from key state leadership an overview of the decisions that were made by the 81st Legislature regarding the Texas health and human services system, how these decisions will impact the system and what factors influenced the decisions that were made.

Don�t Miss This Opportunity for Learning, Networking and Fun!

The Program has Something for Everyone�

So Please Join Us in October by

Registering You and Your Staff Now!

Questions? Call the PPAT Office at 512.452.8188.