Don’t have time to read our Frequently Asked Questions?  Find facts at-a-glance about Our Journey Forward, including federal regulations requiring County Boards to phase out of providing services and integrated settings. (Updated July 2016)

About Integrated Settings and Sheltered Workshops

• The federal government, specifically the Center for Medicaid Services (CMS), enacted rules in 2014 that federal Medicaid funds can no longer be used to pay for services in settings that isolate people from the community, including sheltered workshops. All states, including Ohio, must comply by 2019.
• Ohio received initial approval of its transition plan from CMS on June 2, 2016.
• This rule does not require workshops to close. Providers are required to offer meaningful opportunities for all individuals served to get involved in their communities. This could include community employment or it can mean participating in community-based events/activities.
• An individual will not be required to participate work in the community if they do not want to.
• Your Service and Support Administrator, or SSA, will talk with you about what is important to and for you and you will have the choice about what your day will look like.

About Summit DD No Longer Providing Day Programs, Community Employment and Transportation

• CMS also ruled that County Boards cannot provide case management, or service coordination, and be a direct provider of Waiver services because there is a conflict of interest.
• DODD and CMS reached an agreement, giving Boards no later than 2024 to phase out of providing services. Summit DD is in a position to come into full compliance ahead of the 2024 date.
• Waiver services include adult day programs (workshops), community employment, and transportation.
• Currently 80% of individuals already receive services from providers other than Summit DD. If Summit DD is not your current service provider this rule does not impact you. 
• If Summit DD is your provider, you will still receive similar services that you are currently receiving. You will eventually need to select another provider and you will have more opportunities for integration.
• Your SSA will work with you to ensure you have all of the services needed with quality providers.
• Summit DD developed a timeline for the phase out of services by the end of 2019. You can find that timeline on SummitDD.org.

 About Our Financial Commitment

• 86% of adults supported by Summit DD are funded through a Federal Medicaid Waiver. Medicaid pays approximately 60% of costs for Medicaid-funded services, Summit DD pays 40%.
• Levy dollars are there to ensure services are available to adults and children with developmental disabilities in Summit County, that need does not go away. Summit DD empowers people with developmental disabilities by supporting children and families through early interventions services, by coordinating services and connect people to best fit support and by providing safeguards for those we support. We continue to be the primary resource for disability services and invest in collaborations and innovative practices.

We are committed to keeping individuals and families up to date as we navigate this transition and will keep you up to date through our website, meetings, mailings, and our eNewsletter (informDD).

Questions?  Contact our information hotline at (330) 634-TALK (8255) or visit SummitDD.org to Contact Us.

Download a copy of these Facts At-a-Glance here.