Inspired By Ailing Daughter,
Family Makes Accessible Clothes For Kids
DALLAS — It all started at an Olive Garden in Sherman. Stephanie and Kameron Brooks were dining with their children when Charlotte, who was around 4 years old, started to have a seizure. She was wearing a pair of overalls that weren’t easy to remove. Her parents had trouble reaching her diaper. They had to completely undress her to give her the rectal medication she needed to interrupt her seizure.“ We just felt like that took away her dignity, and there had to be something that would help having diaper changes in public,” Stephanie said.
The couple wanted to make their daughter’s clothing more adaptive — designed around the needs of her disabilities. They sent out a Facebook request for a seamstress to add a zipper to one of Charlotte’s rompers. They met a woman in an assisted living facility who took on the project. Once they saw the benefits of the zipper, they took their idea to a manufacturer in Dallas. “The response has been absolutely insane in regards to people being so interested in, ‘What do you mean adaptive clothing?'” Kameron said. “It’s been a very educational moment (for) the general public as to why this is so necessary for kids.” Read More
A Note From Julie
With more and more persons resuming travel in the US and internationally, we see many more individuals with disabilities traveling. Some of these persons have "Hidden Disabilities"
What are "Hidden Disabilities"? Well.....
Not all disabilities are visible to the naked eye.
Disabilities such as Autism, Diabetes, Cerebral Palsey, mental health issues, chronic pain, hearing loss, loss of eyesight, sleep disorders and many more can significantly impact day-to-day life. Although you may not be able to see these invisible impairments and conditions, they’re still there.
The Sunflower is a globally recognized symbol for non-visible disabilities, also known as hidden disabilities or invisible disabilities.
According to Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme Limited: "People living with these often face barriers in their daily lives including a lack of understanding and negative attitudes. So some choose to wear the Sunflower lanyard to discreetly identify that they may need support, help, or just a little more time in shops, transport, or public spaces."
This is particularly helpful with air travel, where many airport staff (at ticket counters, security and baggage checks, etc...
They have been trained on recognizing these Sunflower lanyards, bracelets and other similar items, so that they can provide assistance. They have been taught to use proper interaction techniques and to be observant for the individuals' possible needs.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Shop shop online
Twogether Trainings
Live Training Care Coordination Series:
HCS (Victoria, Tx)
Date: September 29th & 30th, 2022
Where: Gulf Bend Center (MHMR)
6502 Nursery Dr Victoria TX 77904
Time: Day 1: 9AM-4PM and Day 2: 9AM-1:00PM
Cost: $250 per person (for the 2 days total)
Twogether Consulting is pleased to invite you to our first live training session of our Case Management/Care Coordination Series in over 2 years in Victoria. We are happy to be resuming some limited seating live sessions. We will be presenting this training session at The Gulf Bend Center in Victoria, Tx(Local IDD/MH services for the area). All HCS/TxHmL Providers now have the chance for Case Managers, Program Managers and/or QA staff to get a chance to attend our much more comprehensive versions of the training, as opposed to via short webinars. So please contact us as soon as possible if you are interested in having any of your staff attend!
This session will only be a day & 1/2 and we will concentrate on the first 2 parts of our Care Coordination Series. (Roles, Responsibilities, Communication, & Developing The IP)
If you would like to take the following sessions for part 3, 4 and 5 of the series, we offer them online via webinar recordings and we will be providing live webinar sessions for some of them in the next few months. These include: –ICAP/LON/IDRC (Definitions, How to Complete ICAP & IDRC, and How To Obtain LON Increase), Billing Requirements Part I (General and Specific Billable Services & Justifications), and Part II of Billing Requirements: Adaptive Adis, Minor Home Modifications, and Dental.
Early Registration Closes September 15th, 2022: Discounted Rate $225/person
Topics:
-Intro To HCS & TxHmL Waivers
-Rules & Regs
-Roles & Responsibilities: Provider Vs. The LIDDA (Local IDD Authority)
-What Does the LIDDA (Local IDD Authority) do?
-Who is the SC (Service Coordinator) at the LIDDA and what is their role and responsibilities?
-What are the HCS Provider’s role and responsibilities?
-When does the provider have to communicate with the SC?
-What are the timelines?
-Developing The IP Using Person-Centered Practices (Implementation Plan)
-PDP vs. IP-Who does what?
-Elements of PDP and IP
-How to use the PDP to develop the complete IP, in particular Outcomes/Action Plans
-Sample Back-Up Plans, IPs. (Implementation Plan) and IPC ( Individual Plan of Care).
-Using person-centered concepts to develop IP
-Discussion of the importance of “backup plans” and considerations when developing these plans.
Twogether Newsletter Sponsors
Dos and Don'ts of Small Business IRS Audits
The best way to deal with an IRS audit of your small business is to know what to do and not to do. Consider the following:
Be professional
Do:Auditors have a job to do, and it’s in your best interest to show them respect. If you’re called to their office, do show up on time, dress appropriately and have requested documents in hand. If auditors visit your place of business, encourage staff to answer questions honestly and completely. Within reason, it’s acceptable to ask for more time to locate a particular record. If you can’t find supporting documentation, say so.
Don’t:Avoid arguing with the auditor. Ask for clarification if needed, but don’t question every document request. If you disagree with the auditor, state your case and understand you have appeal rights should the disagreement become costly.
Be organized
Do:If you keep business records on a computer, know how to create and print easy-to-follow reports. Prepare for the audit by laying out checks, invoices and other records in a logical fashion.
Don’t: Dump a box of receipts into an auditor’s lap. The easier it is for an auditor to find what they need, the shorter the time period required to complete the audit. Remember, the longer an auditor spends with your records, the more likely he or she will find something amiss. Also keep in mind that it’s rarely a good idea to create records during an audit. Exceptions may be if you’re honestly trying to reconstruct transactions from memory or your records don’t exist (for example, after a natural disaster or a fire).
Be honest
Do: Make a straightforward effort to justify deductions. If you can’t locate a specific record, look for alternative ways to support your tax return. For example, if you’re claiming a deduction for depreciation but can’t locate the paperwork, redo the calculation for the auditor. A vendor, landlord or mortgage company may have copies of pertinent records if yours have gone missing.
Don’t: Never create numbers that can’t be corroborated or reasonably explained.
Ask for help
Do: Get an expert in your corner if you're facing an audit.
Don't: Ignore your need for help. Remember, auditors conduct audits all the time. This is a rare event for you. Too many businesses provide more information than is needed, opening themselves up to a higher tax bill. Make sure this is not you!
Why Train Person-Centered Thinking?
Person-Centered Thinking goes beyond a mindset. It’s a skill set.
Person-Centered Thinking skills and techniques are essential to achieving Person-Centered practices.
Person-Centered Thinking provides the foundational skill set empowering those who support others to deliver organized and consistent services with Person-Centered Practices.
Find that often elusive balance of what is Important To and For the person
Ensure what is learned about the person is properly recorded and can be easily shared to inform Person-Centered Planning
Training Objective: A Person-Centered Thinking Training participant has a firm grasp of person-centered observation, problem-solving, and management skills, alongside a host of specialized tools and techniques. Participants will utilize these skills to create and edit comprehensive, effective Person-Centered Descriptions (PCDs) for the people your agency supports.
At IntellectAbility, we truly believe that Person-Centered thinking goes beyond a mindset. It’s a skill set. Our Person-Centered Thinking (PCT) Training students agree!
Read what they had to say after completing our PCT Training classes:
"I had an 'Aha!' moment on the third day [of training] with how I can use the Donut and Learning Log at my job. Looking forward to implementing these tools."
"I generally understood PCT, but now I have direct skills and techniques to be more efficient and effective."
"The training refined my skills and helped me
see areas of improvement."
Click here to view our Person-Centered Thinking Training class schedule and register today!
Contact Grace at 727-285-4764 or Grace@ReplacingRisk.com to learn more about training your entire organization.
Learn more about IntellectAbility's tools and training services for supporters by visiting ReplacingRisk.com.
Therap’s HIPAA-compliant mobile apps provide frontline teams the tools they need on-the go. Discover how agencies use them along with other system features to ensure compliance and support communication, documentation, reporting, billing, and more.
We are looking for new sponsors/
advertisers for the newsletters!
Please contact Meghan for more information!
meghanjones.tx@gmail.com
Upcoming Conferences
Mark Your Calendar!
Don't miss the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, regulators and colleagues & refresh our commitment as to why we do what we do.
Attached please find Marketing Opportunities to include sponsorship and exhibiting. All conference-related information can also be accessed on PPAT's website at www.ppat200.com. Registration – A registration form is attached and can be completed and submitted by email to Jaimppat@aol.com. Forms can also be submitted by mail to the PPAT Office at 8711 Burnet Road, Ste. E-53, Austin, TX 78757 or faxed to 512-458-3078. Online Registration will be available soon!
The 16th Annual AccessAbility fest will kick-off, October 1st at 9:00 AM featuring numerous exhibitors with music, performances, activities, demonstrations, information, products, programs and services that promote independence and inclusion where individuals with disabilities live, learn, work and play. Advanced registration is encouraged. Participation is FREE! more info here
Saturday, October 01, 2022 (9:00am - 2:00pm)
Location:
In-Person abilitySTRONG Parade @ Hemisfair (downtown San Antonio)
Followed by the AccessAbility fest. Entry Fees:
None. This event is FREE and Open to the Public. Event Topic Areas:
1) Benefits Management / Financial Planning, 2) Community Education & Public Awareness, 3) Education, 4) Employment, 5) Faith & Spirituality 6) Legislative & Legal, 7) Health & Nutrition, 8) Residential Options, 9) Support Services, 10) Recreation-Socialization, 11) Transportation, 12) Therapy & Rehabilitation, 13) Products: DME Other, and several other areas of interest as they are identified
The only historic beachfront hotel on the Gulf Coast of Texas, The Grand Galvez, is undergoing renovation just in time to host AAIDD Texas Chapter's 46th Annual Convention!
They're bringing back the luxury and sophistication, with a nod to the original design of 1911 and a refreshed elegance throughout. Renovations include everything from guest rooms to common areas to the beautiful grounds, and provide a casual opulence sure to please. Mark your calendars for November 15 - 18, 2022 and we'll see you at the GRAND GALVEZ!
August 31st, 2022 TMHP has stated that FEI Systems sent emails to required users who had yet to log into CIMS. Some providers have indicated that they did not receive an email. According to HHSC FEI Systems did send emails out using a DONOTREPLY/FEI email address. If you did not receive this email, please check your spam mailbox. If you did not receive it, email the CIMS mailbox for assistance at: MCS_CIMS@hhs.texas.gov Initial CIMS User Account Email On Monday, Aug. 29, FEI Systems sent...read more
August 31st, 2022 Migration Trending Issue Support Vol 7: Please see the most current resolutions to migration issues at the link below. https://www.tmhp.com/news/2022-08-30-hcs-and-txhml-waiver-programs-trending-issue-support-volume-7 Dual Entry into CARE & TMHP Systems: Though previously sent to members, please review if you have not already: https://www.tmhp.com/news/2022-08-25-reminder-about-dual-entry-care-and-tmhp-systems August 13th, 2022 HCS and TxHmL Waiver Programs: Trending...read more
From our friends at PACSTX! 2022 Annual PACSTX Conference November 1st & 2nd Embassy Suites Conference Center San Marcos, Tx FOR THE FULL BROCHURE CLICK HERE HOTEL REGISTRATIONread more
August 31st, 2022 Annual EVV Policy Webinars for Program Providers & FMSAs To view information about the upcoming webinars (September 30th and October 27th) and how to register go to: https://www.tmhp.com/news/2022-08-30-annual-evv-policy-training-webinars-program-providers-and-fmsas Both of the above-referenced webinars will cover the same information. Information about the annual EVV policy webinars for CDS employers will be posted soon. July 28th, 2022 EVV Portal and Training Updates...read more
August 23d, 2022 From our friends at the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities! Last Chance to Apply! The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) has issued Requests for Applications (RFA) for four new grant opportunities. The deadline to apply for all four RFAs is this Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, by 11:59 p.m. CT.These grants will help expand inclusion, training, and cultural understanding for people with developmental disabilities (DD) in Texas communities. You can learn more...read more
August 23rd, 2022 Frequently Asked Questions HHSC shared during the ISS draft rules webinar on August 23rd, 2022. These are questions received during the ISS webinar on July 19th, 2022 Q1: Will current day hab providers be grandfathered into the new program? Or do they have to be program provider to have a day hab contract with HHSC? A1: No, Day Hab Providers are not grandfathered into the Individualized Skills and Socialization program. Any provider who is interested in delivering...read more
August 22nd, 2022 PEMS The Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) is experiencing an unusually high volume of calls and emails from providers with requests for Provider Enrollment and Management System (PEMS) assistance. As a result, TMHP requests the following of providers requiring PEMS assistance: TMHP encourages providers that request PEMS assistance to wait for a call back. Requests are being handled in the order they are received. TMHP requests that providers not initiate a...read more
