Navigating through AG Waters: The Fantastic VoyAGe Introduction to Supportive Housing and Reviewing Changes to the AG Manual Spring 2017

The Big Kahuna – Supportive Housing A residential setting with access to supportive services for an AG grant recipient in which tenancy is facilitated by a provider licensed to provide mental health support services and/or supervised residential living services by entering an agreement with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Regulations effective January 9, 2017.

HOUSING PROVIDERS Mt. Rogers Community Service Board Blue Ridge Behavioral Health Richmond Behavioral Health Authority Stay Tuned. . .

LOCALITIES Currently impacts: Roanoke Salem Botetourt Craig Roanoke County Bland Carroll Galax Smyth Wythe Richmond City

FUNDING Cost Code (laser system access) Aged individuals-80701 Blind individuals-80702 Disabled individuals-80703 80% STATE funds and 20% LOCAL funds match to operate the AG program AG rate will be the same in SH as ALF placement

Supportive Housing * Members Only * Annual Reassessment at the ALF –Residential LOC SH assessment Continued Eligibility determination Reside in the community with supportive services Limited to 60 Transferable

The Surge: AGTrak Began July 1, 2016; replaces Medpend. All applications and ongoing cases must be reflected and updated in AGTrak. Benefits: Provide reports indicating when screening or UAI assessments are due. Provide monthly counts for opened, closed, disposed applications. Ability to assist with processing timeframes and locating the record by providing pending application reports with days pending and worker name.

The Flood: Manual Changes Notice of Action for AG/Advance NOA Timely transfer of cases Applications pending disability determination SOLQ is acceptable verification Guidance for using AGTrak Guidance regarding evaluation of other covered groups when SSI ends. Value to apply to resources ABLE accounts

The Ripple Effect: ABLE Accounts The new program is made possible by the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. The ABLE Act authorized states to establish tax-advantaged savings programs for individuals with disabilities. In 2015, the Virginia General Assembly approved legislation, endorsed and signed into law by Governor McAuliffe, authorizing development of an ABLE program in Virginia.

ABLE Accounts continued . . . An ABLE account may be used to fund a variety of qualified disability expenses related to maintaining health, independence and quality of life without endangering eligibility for benefits critical to the health and well-being of many with disabilities. In addition, earnings on an ABLE account are exempt from federal and state taxation. ~ Administered by Virginia529 ~

. . . .More on ABLE accounts Any money in an ABLE savings trust account including any interest, contributions and distributions for qualified disability expenses for such individual, shall be DISREGARDED for any period during which such individual remains the beneficiary of, makes contributions to, or receives distributions for qualified disability expenses from such ABLE savings trust account.

Things to Remember. . . Residing in the ALF Level of Care (LOC) Documentation – (what + when + who) Payment Calculation NOA’s Exparte’ in AG Aid Categories Issuance

QUESTIONS

CONTACTS: Tishaun Harris-Ugworji, AG Program Manager Tishaun.HarrisUgworji@dars.virginia.gov Phone: 804-662-7531 Shelley Henley, AG Program Consultant Shelley.Henley@dars.virginia.gov Phone: 804-662-7071