DADS Provider News, Alerts & Bulletins —
Home and Community-based Services (HCS)

This is to notify HCS and TxHmL providers that the Single Service Authorization System (SSAS) deployment for your programs has been postponed to February 2013.

SSAS workshops for HCS/TxHmL providers will not take place in November, 2012, as originally scheduled. Workshops for HCS and TxHmL providers will be offered in conjunction with the February 2013 SSAS release. HCS and TxHmL providers should continue to follow normal billing procedures until further notice.

Please access the DADS SSAS website for the latest SSAS dates, news and information: http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/ssas/.

(HCS) Home and Community-based services
(TxHmL)Texas Home Living Waiver
CLASS (Community Living Assistance and Support Services)
CDS (Consumer Directed Services)
DBMD (Deaf/Blind Multiple Disabilities)

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is planning to have five regional IDD waiver conferences during the summer of 2013. The focus of these conferences will be on direct support workers. DADS invites you to complete a brief survey to assist us in gathering information to facilitate participation by direct support workers and provide presentations that are meaningful to attendees.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Who Should Take the Survey?

Direct support workers, including foster companion care providers, residential staff, supported home living staff, day habilitation staff, respite staff and other people who work directly with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Legally authorized representatives (LARs) and family members, program participants, nurses (RN/LVN), service coordinators/case managers, and administrators are also encouraged to take the survey.

Link to Survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QJ68PJP

Laura Buckner, with University of Texas Center for Disability Studies, will be conducting an Overview & Philosophy of Person Centered Thinking. This is an introduction to applying the principles of self-determination when supporting individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. There is no charge for this training. 

When
Two sessions:

• September 12, 2012 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
• September 12, 2012 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Where:  Region 20 Educational Service Center, 1314 Hines Avenue, San Antonio, Texas  210-370-5200

Who Should Attend: People who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and the people who support them, including:

• educators;
• family members;
• advocates;
• legally authorized representatives (including public guardians);
• providers;
• local authorities;
• anyone who has an interest!

If you have any questions regarding this announcement or would like to register for the San Antonio training, please contact Dorothy Hull in DADS Regulatory Services at dorothy.hull@dads.state.tx.us.

Additional information regarding future sessions will be posted on this website:

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is issuing this alert to provide information to DADS providers concerning West Nile virus.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has documented a higher than usual number of human West Nile cases in Texas this year due to the warm winter and recent rains, particularly in the North Texas region.

Humans can contract the virus from the bite of a mosquito that is carrying the virus. West Nile virus can cause serious illness or death. West Nile neuroinvasive disease symptoms include stiff neck, visual problems, body tremors, mental confusion, memory loss and seizures. The milder form of the illness is West Nile fever. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and bone aches, nausea and drowsiness.

People with the milder form of illness typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks. Up to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms and will recover on their own.

There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection. People over 50 years old and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill when they become infected with the virus. If people have symptoms that cause them concern, they should contact their healthcare provider.

Reduce exposure to West Nile virus:

To help reduce exposure to West Nile virus, individuals should use an approved insect repellent, according to the label instructions, every time they go outside. Approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Environmental control activities include eliminating standing water, including water collected in empty cans, tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters and saucers under potted plants. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water.

Remember the "Four D's" to defend against West Nile virus:

• DUSK and DAWN are the times of day to limit outdoor activities. This is when infected mosquitoes are most active.
• DRESS in long sleeves and pants when outside. For extra protection, thin clothing can be sprayed with repellent.
• DEET is an ingredient to look for in an insect repellent. Follow label instructions and always wear repellent when outdoors.
• DRAIN standing water in old tires, flowerpots, and clogged rain gutters. These are mosquito-breeding sites.

For more information on West Nile, visit: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/

Waiver Survey and Certification wants your feedback on topics being considered for quarterly Webinar trainings. Please take a few moments and complete the survey. The survey will be available from now until 8/31/2012 at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FRBW2HC.