Agency for Person’s
with Disabilities Attempts to Justify the Hiring of 651 New State Employees
The following inaccurate APD
justifications must be considered:
Cost Plan Review
·
APD
states “Since cost plans are reviewed every 12 months rather than twice a year,
the Agency believes that caseload can be increased without an adverse impact on
services”.
Fact
·
Waiver
Support Coordinators are currently implementing APD’s Uniform Procedures for
Continuing Annual Cost Plans (
·
Cost
plans have never been reviewed more than once yearly.
Impact
on Services
·
APD
states that there will be no adverse impact on services
Fact
·
Caseloads
will increase from 1 to 36 (current) to 1 to 50 (proposed) (2003 Mercer study determined that a caseload
of
·
The
change will result in a tremendous loss of experienced support coordinators who
have a wealth of institutional knowledge regarding services to people with
developmental disabilities.
·
There
will be a loss of continuity of care as individuals are transition to State
employees.
·
APD
is recommending 1 clerical support staff in each Area with some Areas serving
thousands of individuals which will negatively impact the processing of plans
for consumers
·
The
ratio of 1 supervisor to 10 support coordinators does not provide sufficient
oversight to provide quality services.
Monitoring
/ Quality Assurance / Accountability
·
APD
contends that this change will more effectively monitor services, increase
accountability, and provide for uniform practices state-wide.
Fact
·
ACHA
currently contracts with Delmarva for monitoring of support coordinators to
insure quality and uniform practices.
Each SC is currently required by APD to have a management plan which is
reviewed and approved by APD and Delmarva.
·
APD
currently provides technical assistance to Support Coordinators in areas
identified by Delmarva.
·
AHCA
currently defines uniform practices with regard to service provision.
Training
·
APD
references a void of standardized training as a justification for this change.
Fact
·
APD
is currently responsible for training of support coordinators. APD has always and continues to certify and
approve trainers and training curriculum for Support Coordinators.
·
APD
Area staff are responsible for on-going training needs regarding policy
changes, community resources, Medicaid state plan services, etc.
Work Force Issues
·
APD
states that employment by the State will provide benefits and a more stable
workforce
Fact
·
There
is currently no indication of an unstable workforce among Support Coordinators
·
Benefits
comparable to State benefits are currently available to Support Coordinators