FOR PEOPLE with developmental disabilities OUR VISION: A Society For All, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, Empowerment OUR MISSION: We serve people with disabilities through support and advocacy

PUNS What is it? And why do we need to know about it? May 2008

What is PUNS?  PUNS stands for “Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services”.  Statewide database that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are in need of services now or within the next five-years  Often referred to as “the waiting list”

How does the State use the data on the PUNS?  To select individuals for services as funding becomes available  To develop proposals and materials for the State’s annual budgeting process  To plan for future needs

What assistance is available from the State?  In-home supports  Respite care  Training programs  Job Coaches  Adaptive Equipment  Residential Living Arrangements

“Registering with the PUNS database is the first and most important step you and your family can take to receive assistance now or within the next five years.” “Registering with the PUNS database is the first and most important step you and your family can take to receive assistance now or within the next five years.”

First Step  Contact your PAS/ISC Agency  PAS stands for Pre-Admission Screening  ISC stands for Individual Service Coordination  Access Services of Northern Illinois is the PAS/ISC agency for this area  Ask for the “Service Coordinator of the Day” and tell that person you would like to complete the PUNS  Be ready to discuss service needs

Access Services of Northern Illinois  7399 Forest Hills Road Loves Park, IL  (phone)  (fax) 

What does the PAS/ISC agency do?  Under contract with the State to:  Enroll individuals in the PUNS database  Complete assessments to determine eligibility for services  Assist individuals in linking to needed services and providers

Next Steps…  Meet for a face to face conversation with the PAS Service Coordinator to complete the PUNS registration form  Who?: PAS Service Coordinator, person with the disability, family member or guardian, any others the person with the disability wants to include After the first phone call

What will the PAS Service Coordinator ask about?  Developmental disability  Medical condition  Need for new services and supports  Need for different services and supports  General demographic information  Living arrangement

Then what?  Who gets chosen for services?  How are people chosen for services?

*Full size chart attached with handout

The “Point System” (as of April 16, 2008)  The State will authorize services based on a point system  40 points per month will be authorized  Different services are equal to different points  CILA (Group Home) = 1 point  HBS (Home Based) = 1/3 point

The “Point System”  18 points per month reserved for crisis requests that cannot be predicted by PUNS  22 points per month for CILA and HBS  Remember this does not mean 22 individuals  These 22 points = services for 42 individuals

Distribution of the 22 points  CILA (12 of the 22 points)  8 Individuals in emergency situations  2 from Chicago Network, 1 from each remaining Network based on length on time on PUNS  2 Individuals living with caregiver 75 or older  Based on length of time on PUNS, statewide  2 Individuals residing in ICFs/DD  Based on length of time on PUNS, statewide

Distribution of the 22 points  HBS Adult (10 of the 22 points)  6 Individuals in an emergency or critical situation and needing in home or day supports  Based on length of time on PUNS, statewide  16 Individuals leaving school in last 5 years  4 from Chicago Network, 2 from each remaining Network based on length on time on PUNS  8 Individuals living at home with caregiver 60 or older  2 from Chicago Network, 1 from each remaining Network based on length on time on PUNS

Levels of Urgency  Emergency  Needs supports immediately  Critical  Needs support within one year  Planning  Needs supports within 1-5 years or caregiver is age 60+

What about the Children’s HBS Waiver?  The State has not assigned points to this category yet.  They will assign points in the future.

Important points  Completion of the PUNS registration does not guarantee eligibility for services or that services will be provided  PUNS must be updated at least annually or the individual will be removed from the PUNS

Need more help?  Developmental Disabilities Hotline  DD-PLANS ( )  (TTY)

Acronym Glossary  PAS- Pre-Admission Screening  ISC- Individual Service Coordinator  DHS- Department of Human Services  DD- Developmental Disability  HBS- Home Based Support (waiver program)  CILA- Community Integrated Living Arrangement (group home)  ICF/DD- Intermediate Care Facility for people with Developmental Disabilities  PUNS- Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (database/waitlist for DD services)

Sources  State of Illinois, Developmental Disabilities   DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities  January 4, 2008 Memorandum  April 16, 2008 Memorandum  The Family Support Network of Illinois  Newsletter, September 2005  Access Services of Northern Illinois  February 15, 2008 Memorandum