Copy
View this email in your browser

Twogether Newsletter
Issue 11.15.22

Central Texas teen with cerebral palsy defies odds,
inspires others as he plays three sports in school


A Central Texas high school sophomore with Cerebral palsy is defying the odds, playing three sports in high school and inspiring others with disabilities and challenges by spreading a message of never giving up.

Roman Perez, 15, was diagnosed just shy of his sixth birthday with a mild form of spastic Cerebral palsy, which is the most common form of the disorder that results in stiff muscles. He attends Gatesville High School, where he plays football, basketball and baseball.

“I don’t really think about it because people around me, like my coaches and teachers, they hold me to the same standards as my friends,” Roman said. “So, they allow me to be successful at what I do and play at the same level as my friends.” Read More..

A Note From Julie
There are 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 let me know your thoughts and concerns about the New ISS services starting in March of 2023.  I believe providers interested can now apply for ISS provider licensure.  Please don't wait, get started now.   Don't forget to spread the word to Day Habilitation providers who are not in the know about upcoming move to ISS services.

I would also like to receive feedback on how the new CIMS system is working out for reporting critical incidents.  I have been thinking about doing a short 1.5 hr webinar about the must current information updates we have received in all of these areas-CIMS, ISS, and Draft Rules, so we can have discussion about problems and concerns providers have.  Please let me know if you would like us to set up something for about 2nd week in December.  You may contact us at: info@twogetherconsulting.com 
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

 Nursing Documentation Requirements &
 Billable Services Update 2022 
(HCS/TxHmL)

 
Date: November 29, 2022
Time: 9:30-12:00 PM
Cost: $85.00

For:  Nurses, Medical Appt. Scheduler’s, Program Administrators, Program Directors, & other Medical Staff Applicable Programs: HCS & TXHmL
Presenter:  Julie Blacklock/IDD Waiver Consultant 

(Special Interactive Q&A Session last 30 mins, will be able to ask questions live by raising your hands, as well as typing into the chat bar.  Limited Registration.)

   


 Topics:
                    

-Billing Definitions

-Billable Units on the IPC and in TMHP system

-Tracking My Billable Nursing Units (Utilization Monitoring:  Do I have enough?  Do I have too much?)

-What’s Billable For the Nurse

-What’s Not Billable For The Nurse

-What Do I Document? (Health Status Changes, F/U to medical appts., incidents, hospitalizations, illnesses, med. errors,  behavioral events, etc…)

**What Are Surveyors looking For?

**What Are Billing Auditors Looking For?

-Where do I document?

-New Changes In Billing Requirements since Sept. 2022

 You will also receive a variety of Sample Forms you may need to utilize for Nursing/Medical in your program. Whether you are a brand new nurse, a seasoned HCS nurse, a Program Director, etc… there is something for everyone who attends! *All attendees will receive a manual with handouts, recommended forms, and resources.

                   


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

November 14th, 2022 Don't forget: HHSC has extended the time for any providers eligible for these ARPA payments to complete the attestation, so that the initial and final reports are not due, until 30 calendar days after the end of the COVID Public Health Emergency (PHE).  Failure to submit the attestation and initial and final reports will result in recoupment of the funds. There appear to be quite a few members who have yet to submit the attestation or even the initial report.  Don't forget...read more

November 11th, 2022 TMHP Enhancements According to HHSC the enhancements (improvements) planned for release this month will most likely be posted later this week or early next week.  These posted enhancements will not be effective until Dec. 12, 2022. HHSC will go over these enhancements in depth at the December 8th, 2022 Migration Webinar September 23rd, 2022 There are 2 sets of HHSC and TMHP 'enhancements' (or 'fixes' or 'improvements' to the system) to be released in the near future.  HHSC...read more

November 11th, 2022 At this time, according to HHSC the PHE is set to end on January 11, 2023.  Currently, it is not known whether it will be extended beyond January 11th, 2022.  It is possible providers will be notified this week in some alerts if PHE will be extended beyond January 11, 2023. Why is this important? *This is important as COVID-19 flexibilities may end and Medicaid status may be lost for those individuals in our waiver  and ICF programs where provider has not responded to...read more

November 8th, 2022 Medicaid and CHIP Services Has Updated Its Process of Sending Monthly COVID-19 Updates In the past, these updates were sent via an email from Outlook. Beginning with the December update, the MCS COVID-19 Stakeholder Update will be sent via GovDelivery. If you wish to be removed from the MCS COVID-19 Stakeholder Update distribution list and not receive anymore alerts, please reply with “OPT OUT”. Future meeting notices and information will continue to be shared on these...read more

We'd love your feedback!
Please take a minute to fill out our short survey and provide your feedback.
By answering questions, you'll help us improve and better serve you.
Take Survey Here
Twogether Newsletter Sponsors
TMP-logo new 4-2022

Frustrated by TMHP Billing?
 
Frustrated-Lady

Visit our booth at AAIDD. We can help!

Are you tired of being frustrated with the TMHP billing system? We know how difficult it is because we are a provider too.

Fortunately, we have a solution!

TMP's software can provide:

A Simple Submission Process
An Easy Reconciliation Process
Utilization Tracking
Cost Reporting
Documentation and SDLs
Ask us about EVV, Pharmacy Integration, Staff Scheduling, and how big changes to ISS in 2023 will impact you!
TMP-Service-Ecosystem-Nov-2022

TMP knows Texas! TMP was created by Texas IDD service providers, for Texas providers. Our leadership has spent decades advocating for providers and for better policy within the state. That experience has helped us create the best possible platform for Texas providers to deliver better care, deal with the workforce crisis, and solve billing headaches. 

Visit our booth at AAIDD in Galveston, call us at 877-495-3014, or reply to this email to see how we can simplify the process and speed up reimbursement.

 
Logo  


 Should You Expense or Depreciate Your Capital Asset?

 

If you own a business, you know that you may accelerate the expensing of qualified capital purchases. This can be done within two special provisions in the tax code:

The annual amount of qualified assets that may be expensed (instead of depreciated) was raised to $1.08 million for 2022. This benefit can be maximized as long as the total assets purchased by your business don't exceed $2.7 million. Qualified purchases can be new or used equipment, as well as qualified software placed in service during the year.

Bonus Depreciation

There is also an option to chose additional first-year
bonus depreciation of 100 percent of the cost of qualified property.

To qualify the property must be purchased and placed in service before 2023. After that, an annual phaseout lowers the bonus deduction percentage. Property can be new or used, but it can't be in use by you before it was acquired. There are a few exclusions for electrical energy and gas or steam distribution.

Not interested in claiming the bonus depreciation expense? Then you may choose to opt out of this provision for each category (class) of property you place in service.

What should you do?

Taking advantage of these provisions may be good for your business, but that's not always the case.

Remember, if you use these special asset-expensing provisions, depreciation expense taken this year is given up in future years. How many future years depend on the recovery period of the asset, but the additional tax exposure could be up to two decades! This is especially important to consider if your company is organized as a passthrough entity, like an S Corporation, as more income could be exposed to higher marginal taxes.

The short-term tax savings these two provisions provide is often too good to pass up. However, if you have some predictability in your business, it probably makes sense to forecast your projected pre-tax earnings with and without the accelerated depreciation to ensure you are making the correct long-term tax decision.

Health Outcome Solutions for Data-Driven Care

Schedule slotTherap | Person-Centered. Data-Driven.

Track Health Outcomes Individually and Aggregately at your organization.

Get Started

Therap Services Website Therap Services Facebook page Therap Services Twitter Therap Services LinkedIn Therap Services Youtube Channel

© Therap Services 2003 - 2022. All Rights Reserved.

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.”
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
View this email in your browser
Airline Passengers with Disabilities BILL OF RIGHTS
Twogether Resources Page
Contact us:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Website
Twogether Consulting
512-294-8032
P.O. Box 90426 Austin, TX 78709
meghanjones.tx@gmail.com
https://twogetherconsulting.com/

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Copyright © 2022, Twogether Consulting, Limited.  All rights reserved.






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Twogether Consulting, Ltd. · P.O. Box 90426 · Austin, TX 78709 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp