Superintendent’s Message
Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services supports more than 7,800 people with DD in our community. We treat each person we serve as a unique individual and connect them to services to reflect the life they want. By collaborating with more than 800 certified providers, we’re able to support people to live a life that is important and meaningful to them, on their own terms.
In 2016 we made strides in several areas, including significant state legislation. Ohio became the first state in the nation to offer STABLE accounts, which allow people with disabilities and their families to save and invest money without losing eligibility for certain public benefit programs like Medicaid, Social Security Disability Insurance, and Supplemental Security Income. In addition, Gov. John Kasich visited St. Joseph Home in July to sign the legislation finally removing the “R-word” from Ohio law.
We expanded partnerships with providers in Hamilton County to raise the quality of service through trainings like Northstar Advantage and the provider-directed Gold Standard initiative. Our work with providers has become a model for the rest of the state, and we saw seven more Gold Standard providers added in 2016.
While some rules and trends have increased the number of individuals on the waiver waiting list, we vastly improved our internal processes for monitoring the needs of those waiting for waivers. Throughout the year, we connected many individuals on this list with needed services while they wait for a waiver. We were also able to provide waivers to more than 200 people on the waiting list.
The biggest change in 2016 was our transition out of providing direct services through Beckman, Franks, and Kidd adult centers. During the last few years, federal rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), along with several other mandates, have required our agency, and every county DD board across the state, to change the traditional ways services have been delivered for more than 40 years. Last May we began a formal process to find a provider to operate the adult centers. We chose this option to give individuals and families the greatest control over their services and provide continuity for those who wish to continue attending the adult centers. Beginning May 1, 2017 operation of Beckman, Franks, and Kidd adult centers will become the full responsibility of Active Day. The buildings will retain the names to honor the legacy of each center once this transition occurs. Although Hamilton County DD Services will no longer operate the adult centers, we will continue to provide quality monitoring and remain the source of funding for individuals.
The dedication, care, and patience of our staff at the adult centers has been unparalleled, particularly during these recent times of uncertainty. We are tremendously grateful for each and every one of these wonderful people.
While the path in 2016 was not always easy, I’m extremely proud of the progress our staff and our community have made in supporting opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to live, work, learn, and fully participate in their communities. I look forward to continuing these positive trends in the years to come. Thank you to all of our employees, board members, providers, families, and community stakeholders for your ongoing support of the work we do.
Alice C. Pavey
Superintendent
President’s Message
For nearly half a century, our agency has been an ally for those with developmental disabilities, ensuring the quality care and support they need to live the life they choose. As we enter 2017 and prepare to celebrate our 50 year anniversary, we remember our history of service while continuing to look toward the future. The way we support people has changed over time, but our commitment to helping people live a good life always remains.
At Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, two guiding principles drive us in every action we take. The first reflects our agency vision: to move toward community integration in everything we do. The second is to build the capacity of community organizations to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
We recognize we’re not in this alone. We have a rich network of high-quality providers in Hamilton County, in addition to an extensive network of community partners and natural supports that help people with developmental disabilities live a good life. Continuing to provide training, collaborations, and support to help these organizations flourish is critical to the future and to our ability to achieve our mission of promoting and supporting opportunities for community participation.
Our 2016 Report to the Community gives an overview of how we support people, shares some of the specific work we did to improve last year, and highlights a few stories to give you a window into the lives of people we serve. We divided this report into multiple sections to reflect the different ways we support people:
- Personalized Supports explains the role of person-centered planning to ensure an individualized life plan and the necessary supports for each person we serve.
- In the Community looks at our expanding efforts to provide opportunities for people with DD to fully participate in their communities.
- Health and Safety explores the work we do to keep people safe.
- High-Quality Providers recognizes the role of more than 800 providers and how we’re helping them become even better.
- Financials reflects our commitment to transparency to taxpayers and other stakeholders.
Our agency’s focus is always ensuring quality care and support while efficiently using our available funding. And although we will no longer provide direct services through the adult centers, we will continue to plan, fund, and ensure the quality of services delivered by certified providers. I’m proud of our accomplishments in 2016, and I look forward to continuing to improve our ability to support people with developmental disabilities in Hamilton County. Thank you for your support.
Nestor Melnyk
Board President
Board Members
Andrew Magenheim
Vice President
April Flagler
Secretary
Robert Harris
Board Member
Rene Brinson
Board Member
Ken Wilson
Board Member
Stephen J. Jones
Board Member
Ken’s Story
Ken loves riding his bike anywhere he can, but an accident rattled his confidence on two wheels. With help from his friends, local bike shops, and his provider, Ken is back on the road with a custom trike.
Zachariah’s Story
Zachariah absolutely loves his job at Panera washing dishes and cleaning up the dining room, often at a pace that makes it hard to keep up and with his happy, contagious laugh echoing throughout the restaurant.
Matthew’s Story
Matthew works 20 hours a week at the Spring Grove Village Kroger. “I like talking with customers and co-workers, and making some money,” he said. “It feels good to have a job. I’m proud of myself.”
Rost Gives Back
The students and staff at Rost School have come together to help those in need. Since the beginning of the school year, students in Kathi Spiller’s class have been helping Sissy’s Pantry.
Robert’s Story
Robert has a visual impairment that can make crossing the street dangerous. Many streets do not have audible crossing signals, so Robert decided to do something about it by working with the city.
Victoria’s Story
Victoria’s shared living experience helps her feel safe at home. “I like the fact that I have people who love me,” she said. “And I like the environment. It’s really nice and comfortable.”
Gloria & Emma
When they’re not visiting local museums or parks, or heading to restaurants, shops and movies, Gloria, Emma, and Jeremy are often creating new décor for their apartment that would make Martha Stewart jealous.
Amanda’s Story
Amanda loves art and wanted to create a place for fellow artists to get together and create. So, with the help of her provider, Starfire, she developed a way to connect to other artists through a regular meet-up at a coffee shop called “Sip N Sketch.”
2016 Revenue
Property Tax Levy: $73,148,727
Medicaid: $10,543,123
Prior Year Reimbursement: $7,893,773
State: $4,575,426
School Districts: $4,452,567
Federal: $763,883
Miscellaneous: $683,538
Total Revenue: $102,061,037
2016 Expenditures
Waiver Program: $33,836,669
Personnel: $31,802,732
Levy-Funded Services: $14,033,642
Operations: $5,180,673
Total Expenditures: $84,853,717
2016 Revenue
Property Tax Levy: $73,148,727
Medicaid: $10,543,123
Prior Year Reimbursement: $7,893,773
State: $4,575,426
School Districts: $4,452,567
Federal: $763,883
Miscellaneous: $683,538
Total Revenue: $102,061,037
2016 Expenditures
Waiver Program: $33,836,669
Personnel: $31,802,732
Levy Funded Services: $14,033,642
Operations: $5,180,673
Total Expenditures: $84,853,717
How we fund services
When possible, HCDDS funds services through federal Medicaid Waivers. There are three different types of waives, each with different funding levels and requirements. All of them require HCDDS to pay about 40% of a service’s cost while Medicaid pays the remaining 60%. Funding services this way allows us to make the most of our local levy dollars and serve as many people as possible within a limited budget. When someone receives a waiver, we’re making a lifetime commitment to support that person’s needs, and we don’t take that commitment lightly.
Below are three examples of how a person might use each type of waiver and how the funding would break down. Remember, these are simply potential ways a person might use a waiver. Each person we serve has their own unique needs and goals, and our SSAs use person-centered planning to put supports in place that take that individuality into account.