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Twogether Newsletter
Issue 11.1.22


Students With Disabilities Get a Chance to
Work for the City

The city of Austin and Austin ISD partner to employ hundreds
of students with disabilities across four city departments this fall



A first-of-its-kind partnership between the city of Austin and Austin ISD is in motion and could employ hundreds of students with disabilities across four city departments this fall. With help from AISD's Department of Special Education, which already matches students with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) with businesses in Austin, the city's pilot workforce program will temporarily hire students and provide them job training so they can compete for permanent city jobs in the future.

"It's my understanding that both our HR department and AISD are working to place some of those students right away. This will become yet another recruiting tool that the city of Austin can use to build a really strong workforce," said Council Member Kathie Tovo, who led the efforts to create the partnership. The program was included in Coun­cil's recently approved annual budget as a formality, but Tovo said it won't add an additional cost for the city because the job coaches are already employed by the district. Read More...

A Note From Julie
There is so many new things happening: CIMS system, TMHP issues with Claims, Draft Rules: HCS/TxHmL TAC and Draft Rules: New ISS services rules, updates to the billing requirements, and much more.  
Please don't forget to contact us back if any of you who wanted CM and nurse training and other services forgot to come by or schedule a follow-up consultation. Also don't forget to register for the upcoming PACSTX conference as well as the AAIDD Texas chapter conference.  (Both are in November of this year.)
Twogether Webinars

 Developing Nursing Service Plans For Persons with IDD (HCS/TxHmL/ICF Programs)
 

Date: November 21, 2022
Time: 10:00-12:00 PM
Cost: $65.00

For:  RN’s in the HCS, TxHmL and ICF Program
Presenter:  Julie Blacklock/IDD Waiver Consultant & Stephanie Figueroa/ RN Consultant

You will receive a confirmation email and handout as well as a link to register with “Gotowebinar” to attend the session, once we receive payment.  Please click on your registration link right away to receive reminders for the session!

   


 Topics:
                                          
 
– Common  Medical Issues in the IDD population to Consider

 –Down Syndrome-associated medical conditions to consider

–Assessment, Nursing Concerns or Diagnoses, Objectives, Strategies/Interventions, Follow-Up Evaluation

-Sample Care Plans For Different Medical Diagnoses or Concerns- to utilize when building your NSP (Nursing Service Plan)

–Sample Nursing Service Plans within the CNA (Comprehensive Nursing Assessment)

–Justifications for NSP & Nursing IP

-Nursing IP Samples


Payment:
We would be glad to invoice you if you prefer.  Please indicate how you will paying when you register with Meghan Jones.
Option #1:
Requested invoice: We will send you an invoice from Paypal and then you can make a payment directly through the invoice-  using a credit card, debit card, a Paypal account, or payment by check.
Option #2:
Online Payment:  You may pay directly through your PayPal invoice or you may also choose to use our “Paypal Social Media” payment button for this specific event. Click on the button below: 
“Paypal Social Media”
Option #3:
You may pay on the Twogether Consulting website.  Here is the direct link to the “payment” page  
If you have any problems, please ask Meghan Jones to walk you through it, when you call to register.  Please contact us directly about group rates. Remember for this option, you will need to enter in total $ amount for # of attendees.  Ex:  2 people want to attend x $125 =$250 total.

 

Registration:

To complete registration and for any additional information or 
to arrange payment by check you must contact:

 meghanjones.tx@gmail.com 

(361) 649-5104   

Mailing address for checks:  
Twogether Consulting  P.O. Box 90426 Austin, TX 78709

 RN Protocols & Good Practice For New Admissions (HCS/TxHmL)

Date: December 13, 2022
Time: 10:30-12:30 PM
Cost: $45.00

For:  RN’s in the HCS, TxHmL and ICF Program

Presenter:  Julie Blacklock/IDD Waiver Consultant & Stephanie Figueroa/ RN Consultant

This is an especially good training session for new nurses or new providers. We will also be providing some quality assurance tools and ideas for some nursing forms and checklists the facility might like to utilize if they don’t currently have certain nursing forms or tools in place for the issues we discuss during the webinar. We will be providing some guidance to the RN  about different considerations they may need to keep in mind when working with the IDD population. Some of our population is elderly, non-ambulatory, non-verbal and/or may have mental health diagnoses. In the HCS and TxHmL waiver programs, we also receive individuals who come from other types of programs, such as State Supported Living Centers, small to large private ICF’s, Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, State Hospitals, and kids who age out of CPS (Child Protective Services), so there are a lot of considerations when a new individual is admitted to the program.  We hope to teach you some of the pitfalls to avoid and helpful ideas so that you can have good continuity of care for your client and a smooth transition to their new home.

Presenter:  Julie Blacklock/IDD Waiver Consultant & Stephanie Figueroa/ RN Consultant

   


 Topics:
                      

  – What Information & Documents Do I Need To Collect Prior To Admission?

–  What Do I Do 1st on The Day of Admission?

(Initial Focused Assessment, Nursing Screening Tool, Consents, Client Demographic &/or Special Needs Information Form, Other Documents, Reconciling Meds, Setting up DME or Pharmacy Needs….)

–Scheduling Comprehensive Nursing Assessment within the first 30 days (or prior to any Delegations)

-Care Planning Considerations- to utilize when building your NSP (Nursing Service Plan)  

–What Training Do I Need To Do For Staff & Individual? (Prior to coming and post-admission)

-What Are My and My Nursing Team’s Ongoing Responsibilities?

(Monitoring Meds., Psych Issues, Health Status, Training on New Special Needs, Delegation, Making Changes To Care Plan as Needed, etc…)

-Good Standards of Practice Tips

-QA Tool From Twogether Consulting

                   


Payment:
We would be glad to invoice you if you prefer.  Please indicate how you will paying when you register with Meghan Jones.
Option #1:
Requested invoice: We will send you an invoice from Paypal and then you can make a payment directly through the invoice-  using a credit card, debit card, a Paypal account, or payment by check.
Option #2:
Online Payment:  You may pay directly through your PayPal invoice or you may also choose to use our “Paypal Social Media” payment button for this specific event. Click on the button below: 
“Paypal Social Media”
Option #3:
You may pay on the Twogether Consulting website.  Here is the direct link to the “payment” page  
If you have any problems, please ask Meghan Jones to walk you through it, when you call to register.  Please contact us directly about group rates. Remember for this option, you will need to enter in total $ amount for # of attendees.  Ex:  2 people want to attend x $125 =$250 total.

 

Registration:

To complete registration and for any additional information or 
to arrange payment by check you must contact:

 meghanjones.tx@gmail.com 

(361) 649-5104   

Mailing address for checks:  
Twogether Consulting  P.O. Box 90426 Austin, TX 78709

Twogether Updates

Previous Webinars Hosted ByTwogether Consulting:  Therap during our free resource webinar series below.  Just click on the links and register. October 2022 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/2347988816141652494   August 2022 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/1388286687336697103 If you need assistance with your current Therap services or with information on getting these services, please contact: Calvin Christensen(Business Development Consultant at Therap Services, LLC)...read more

October 27th, 2022 Home and Community-based Services (HCS)   Provider Letters/Provider Communications!!! Click here for news, information letters (ILs) & provider letters (PLs). Receive Emails from HHS Every Sunday The Texas Health and Human Services Commission contracts with a company called Granicus to provide email updates, called GovDelivery. In accordance with your contract, and contracting rules at 40 Texas Administrative Code §49.302(g), you must subscribe to receive HHSC email...read more

October 23rd, 2022 LTC Portal Enhancements: Coming Soon! Beginning in December 2022, several enhancements will be implemented for the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) Long-Term Care (LTC) Online Portal. The enhancements will improve form submission and portal functionality. Information about these upcoming changes will be available in future articles on the TMHP 1915(c) Waiver Programs web page. Account Preparation and Additional Resources To prepare for these changes, Home...read more

“Moving Forward Together” 2022 Conference for ICF Surveyors and Providers- Dec. 1st, 2022 Registration is open! Please register for each of the conference sessions you plan to attend. Please note that some sessions occur at the same time. Recordings will be made available for all sessions, so participants will have the opportunity to review them. The Provider Sessions and Agenda are now available. For questions, email Joint Training.. read more

October 23rd, 2022 Oct. 5 TMHP LTC Portal for HCS/TxHmL Providers and FMSAs Webinar Recording Available A recording of the Oct. 5 TMHP LTC Portal for HCS/TxHmL Providers and FMSAs Webinar is available for those who could not attend. The webinar recording and slides have been posted to the HCS and TxHmL Webinars & FAQs webpage. Listen to the Webinar here. For questions, email TxHmL Policy. October 13th, 2022 Starting November 9th, 2022 monthly Migration Webinar, the next webinar will be...read more

October 17th, 2022 HCS and TxHmL Waiver Programs: Migration Trending Issue Support, Volume 10 -Portal Enhancements & 10/05/2022 Webinar Recording Link to Vol 10:  https://www.tmhp.com/news/2022-10-11-hcs-and-txhml-waiver-programs-trending-issue-support-volume-10 All previous Trending Issue Support documents are also available at the link above as are other important notices and links to other migration-related resources. Also, LTC on-line portal enhancements for...read more

October 17th, 2022 From HHSC: LTC Providers Encouraged to Get Ready for Flu Season CDC recommends everyone be vaccinated against the flu by the end of October to avoid peak flu season. Long-term care providers should review their program requirements for guidance related to vaccination requirements and infection control. Some of the CDC’s recommendations for vaccinating patients in congregate healthcare settings are: The CDC recommends that LTC facilities offer the flu vaccine to all residents...read more

October 16th, 2022 Register for Texas Culture Change Coalition Conference The Texas Culture Change Coalition will host their in-person fall 2022 conference, “Texans Coming Together for Residents, for Staff, for All!” This year’s theme is “A Day Focused on Person-Centered Senior Care.” Nov. 3 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Commons Conference Center (J.J. Pickle Research Campus) 10100 Burnet Road, Bldg. 137 Austin, TX 78758 Continuing education credit for multiple disciplines will be provided for this event....read more

October 16th, 2022 Potential Electronic Visit Verification Changes Coming in 2023 The purpose of this notice is to inform stakeholders that HHSC’s contract for the current Electronic Visit Verification vendor systems (AuthentiCare and Vesta EVV) is scheduled to expire on Aug. 31, 2023. On April 26, 2022, HHSC posted a competitive solicitation on the Electronic State Business Daily for EVV System Management Services. Contractor responsibilities will include: Providing and managing a single EVV...read more

October 17th, 2022 HHSC HCS Program Provider Response to COVID-19 Emergency Rule Expired Oct. 14 The emergency rule for Home and Community-based Services waiver program providers that contain the HCS Program Provider Response to COVID-19 Emergency Rule expired Oct. 14. The following rule expired Oct. 14: 40 Texas Administrative Code Section 9.198 - Program Provider Response to COVID-19 Emergency Rule HCS program providers must continue to comply with visitation requirements for essential...read more

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Welcome To The Monthly Business "Tax Talk,
Famous management consultant, educator and author Peter Drucker once said "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." Identifying a few key pieces of information that can be available on demand can help your business be more successful. In this month's newsletter, there are several key metrics to consider tracking in your business.
Also read about how to get a handle on employee turnover.
Please feel free to call if you would like to discuss your tax or business questions. 
 
 
Don't Run Afoul of the IRS's Nanny Tax

The IRS is more strictly enforcing rules that determine whether a worker is actually your employee, rather than an independent contractor.

So be careful if you regularly pay a gardener, housekeeper, nanny, babysitter or any other household service provider. You don't want to run afoul of the IRS's household employee rules, often referred to as the Nanny Tax.

Do you have a household employee?

Many taxpayers unwittingly establish an employer relationship when they hire someone to help around the house. To decide whether a household worker is your employee, the IRS looks at whether you:

  • Control how and when their work is done
  • Provide them with supplies and equipment

The IRS also considers whether the relationship is permanent, and whether a worker is economically dependent on their employment with you. A worker may be considered an employee whether or not their work for you is part- or full-time, or paid hourly, weekly or by the job.

Tip 1: The more independent the worker is, the less likely they are to be considered your employee. Have your worker set their own hours and use their own tools. Also have them invoice you for their work and provide you with receipts.

Tip 2: If the worker works for another company that issues them a W-2, or they run their own company that offers services to the general public, you are generally safe from having them considered as your employee.

Tax consequences

If you think you have a household employee, here is what you need to know:

  • The $2,400 limit. If you pay less than $2,400 in a year (or $1,000 in any calendar quarter) you generally are not responsible for paying employment taxes. But if your payments are over these limits, you may need to withhold and pay Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance taxes.
  • Overtime. You may be required to pay overtime, depending on federal and state laws.
  • Timing is important. Employment taxes must be paid regularly throughout the year or you could face fines and penalties.
  • Other considerations. You may also need to purchase worker's compensation insurance to cover you should there be any accidents while they are working for you.

If you are going to rely heavily on the services of a domestic worker, it’s worth thinking carefully about the relationship at the outset. Consider getting a formal employment contract in place, and call for help to create a plan to handle your tax obligations.

 
   
We are looking for new sponsors/
advertisers for the newsletters!

 
Please contact Meghan for more information!
meghanjones.tx@gmail.com
Upcoming Conferences 

 



It's Convention Time!

Registration is NOW OPEN

Everything You Need To Know

Registration is now open for the 46th Annual Convention of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Texas Chapter!  This year, we're meeting at Grand Galvez in beautiful Galveston, Texas on November 15-18, 2022.  Be sure to make your plans early.  With high demand for hotel rooms, we expect a sellout.  Click on the link below for the full story. We look forward to sharing the week with you!
More Info
Extended Deadline!
We all know dedicated persons who are serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Help honor them TODAY by submitting their name for one of our Award Categories! Deadline for submissions is Friday, October 14, 2022.
DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM >>
Therap | Person-Centered. Data-Driven.
Are you excited to attend therap national conference 2023
Join us for our Virtual Conference Online!
The 2023 Therap National Conference will be held online in Therap Conference Center on February 7 - 8 - 9, 2023. Claim your spot right away for the event with our Fall 2022 registration at only $49.00.
Come join our three-day-long informative online sessions to engage in User Presentations, State Specific Discussions, and How-to-Sessions of Therap modules and more!

Visit our 2023 Therap National Conference Webpage
Question? Contact us via email:
national2023@therapservices.net
Job Postings
Editor, IDD (AAIDD peer-reviewed journal)
Company: AAIDD
Location: remote
 
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), the oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization of professionals concerned with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seeks applicants for the position of Editor of its peer-reviewed journal, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), for a term of five years beginning in February 2023, with the first issue under the direction of this Editor to be published in mid-2023.
 
Qualifications and Responsibilities
 
The key qualifications for the position of Editor are an established record of scholarship, strong peer-reviewed publications history in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, managerial skills necessary to oversee the editorial cycle and meet deadlines—including the skills necessary to adhere to an established journal publication schedule—and the ability to attract and retain respected experts to serve on an editorial advisory board and as consulting editors. In addition, applicants must be a member of the Association, and if selected, must remain a member in good standing throughout their term.
 
The major responsibilities of the Editor of IDD include:
  • Overseeing the peer review of approximately 100 manuscripts per year;
  • Soliciting high-quality manuscripts from potential authors, deciding which manuscripts to publish, and assisting authors to revise and improve  their manuscripts in order to be accepted for  publication;
  • Selecting a sufficient pool of competent reviewers to provide thorough, timely, and equitable peer reviews of manuscripts;
  • Identifying and appointing qualified members to an editorial advisory board; and
  • Providing a clear vision for the direction of the journal;
  • Ensuring that the journal has a sufficient volume of good-quality manuscript submissions to ensure the timely publication of 6 issues per year, with 5-6 articles per issue.
 
Applicants must have clear employer or institutional support for this activity for the duration of their appointment, including release time and general office support. AAIDD does not pay for office space or release time, but can provide basic financial support for the IDD Editor, which may include funds for clerical assistance, office supplies, postage, and telephone beyond what will be provided by the Editor’s home institution. Since the support offered by different institutions varies widely, applicants are encouraged to verify with their employer the extent of this support, in order to have a viable application.
 
Application Process
 
Interested individuals should prepare and submit an application packet by via email. The application packet must include:
  • A Letter of Application that describes your qualifications for the role of Editor of IDD, such as past experience as an editor or member of an editorial team, history of scholarship in the field, and demonstrated capacity to manage deadlines and to attract and retain contributors to projects.
  • A Vision Statement that provides a clear description of your vision for IDD under your leadership. Set forth your goals and plans for the content of the Journal, with an assessment of the current strengths, weaknesses, or gaps that you plan to address and how you will operationalize your plan.
  • A specific plan for increasing the volume of submissions to the journal.
  • A Vita or Resume that accurately portrays your experience, including positions held and list of publications, indicates your current affiliations, and lists your current contact information.
  • Evidence of Institutional Support, which may be a letter of support or other documentation from your employer that describes the level of support (release time and general office support) available should you be selected for the position.
Applications will be reviewed by the Search Committee immediately after the submission deadline. The selected candidate will be expected to disclose any potential conflicts of interest prior to appointment and annually thereafter throughout his or her term of service. Interviews will be conducted by zoom if deemed necessary by the Committee.
 
Applications will be accepted via email only. Send application packets to Margaret Nygren, EdDExecutive Director, at mnygren@aaidd.org by Friday, November 18, 2022.
Helpful Resources
Texas Workforce Commission Digital Updates

VR Provider Meeting - Registration

Provider Meeting Registration:

The Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) invites VR providers to participate in a virtual meeting from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST) on November 15, 2022. 

The purpose of this meeting is to continue ongoing dialog and collaboration. 

Please email your provider-related questions to vr.standards@twc.texas.gov no later than Thursday, November 10, 2022. Type “Provider Meeting” in the email’s subject line.

The Meeting Agenda includes:

•    Welcome and Introductions
•    Updates from Regional Providers and Discussion of Identified Topics
•    VR Updates/Training
•    Answers to Questions Submitted by Providers
•    Wrap-up and Next Steps

 
Illustration of hand holding up a coin with text that says Funding Available
 

TCDD Announces Grant Funding Available
The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) has issued Requests for Applications (RFA) for two new grant opportunities. These grants will create tools and resources for Texans with developmental disabilities (DD) to support aging family members and cope with experiences of grief and loss. The deadline to apply for both RFAs is 11:59 p.m. CT on Nov. 15, 2022. 

You can learn more about these RFAs on the TCDD Funding Available page and find details on how to apply for them

Adults with DD Supporting Aging Family Members

Today, people with DD are living longer than previous generations. People with DD are also more frequently outliving parents and family members who have been primary caregivers. Parents and family members may need their own care and support to address physical, cognitive, and other age-related needs.
TCDD has funding available for one organization to develop educational resources to support people with DD to fully participate in the care of parents or family caregivers who are aging.

The purpose of this RFA is to:

  • support people with DD to better understand and participate in caring for aging family members and caregivers;
  • promote person-directed communication with family; and
  • strengthen networks for people with DD to better connect with each other and meet the needs of their aging family members and caregivers.

TCDD has approved funding for up to $125,000 for up to five years. 

Learn More and Apply

Coping With Grief and Loss

All people are confronted with grief and loss at some point in their lives. People may experience grief and loss due to personal circumstances such as the loss of a family member or friend, or the loss of a home or job. People may also experience grief and loss due to circumstances affecting many people at the same time, including natural disasters such as a tornado, a hurricane, or public health emergencies.
In recent years, people with DD have been forced to cope with enormous amounts of grief and loss as the community has faced one of the highest mortality rates of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been compounded by general isolation during lockdowns and by the occurrences that can be associated with risk factors related to some disabilities. 

TCDD has funding available for one organization to develop and distribute educational resources that provide information on coping with grief and loss for people with DD. The purpose of this RFA is to provide people with DD with the tools and support needed to navigate these experiences. 

TCDD has approved funding for up to $125,000 for up to five years.

Learn More and Apply

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through SM Apply. To learn more about TCDD’s RFAs, including the application process and what is required of grantees, visit the How to Apply webpage

TCDD logo that features an outline of Texas with two-toned blue checkmark in the center, extending beyond the state outline, and a red dot just above the dip in the checkmark. To the right is text that says “Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities,” and “Inclusive. Innovative. Impactful.”
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Register now button   Click the 'Register Now' button on left to register.

RCT Quarterly Meeting

 

October 28, 2022*

4241 Woodcock Drive

San Antonio, TX 78228

or Via Zoom
One-day meeting*

Rehabilitation Council of Texas

Quarterly Meeting Notice

 
The Rehabilitation Council of Texas (RCT), in partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission's Vocational Rehabilitation Division (TWC-VR) announces a Quarterly Meeting on Friday, October 28, 2022. This meeting will take place both in-person and via Zoom video conference. 
 
The 15-member Rehabilitation Council of Texas meets at least quarterly to work with TWC Vocational Rehabilitation Services programs to develop, agree to and review state goals and priorities.
 
To register, please access the Zoom registration links for both meeting days from the RCT Events page here.
 
Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aids, services, or special accommodations should contact RCT Coordinator (512) 936-3445 or by email at lisa.godwin@twc.state.tx.us at least five (5) working days prior to the meeting, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
 
Persons with questions regarding agenda content should contact Lisa Godwin, RCT Coordinator at (737) 285-3334. 
 
Airline Passengers with Disabilities BILL OF RIGHTS
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512-294-8032
P.O. Box 90426 Austin, TX 78709
meghanjones.tx@gmail.com
https://twogetherconsulting.com/

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