Phil Pearson - ppearson1@mindspring.com

Apparently the 9th circuit court has put together a set of documents that explains the guardianship/guardian advocate procerss.  See:

http://www.ninthcircuit.org/about/divisions/probate/index.shtml

• SB1660 passed in the Legislature and will become effective 7/2010 - This bill reprioritizes the waitlist for medwaiver services among other things.  Date of application for services will only be used to establish priority within the defined priority groups.
• Evercare - Appears to be a particularly good medical insurance program for folks with dual eligibility - Medicare and Medicaid.  No fees,  no co-pays.  Includes preventive dental and eyeglasses as well as many other benefits.  This was presented at the Florida Family Care Council by Tom Raynor, an insurance consultant.  For more info contact him at:
  • 850-926-1214
  • 850-228-9110 Cell
  • 877-858-1214 toll free
  • tkraynor@msn.com

Category 1 - which includes clients deemed to be in crisis as described in rule.

Category 2 - which includes children on the wait list who are from the child welfare system with an open case in the Department of Children and Family Services’ statewide automated child welfare information system.

Category 3 - which includes, but is not required to be limited to, clients:

1. Whose caregiver has a documented condition that is expected to render the caregiver unable to provide care within the next 12 months and for whom a caregiver is required but no alternate caregiver is available;

2. At substantial risk of incarceration or court commitment without supports;

3. Whose documented behaviors or physical needs place them or their caregiver at risk of serious harm and other supports are not currently available to alleviate the situation; or

4. Who are identified as ready for discharge within the next year from a state mental health hospital or skilled nursing facility and who require a caregiver but for whom no caregiver is available.

Category 4 - which includes, but is not required to be limited to, clients whose caregivers are 70 years of age or older and for whom a caregiver is required but no alternate caregiver is available.

Category 5 - which includes, but is not required to be limited to, clients who are expected to graduate within the next 12 months from secondary school and need support to obtain or maintain competitive employment, or to pursue an accredited program of postsecondary education to which they have been accepted.

Category 6 - which includes clients 21 years of age or older who do not meet the criteria for category 1, category 2, category 3, category 4, or category 5.

Category 7 - which includes clients younger than 21 years of age who do not meet the criteria for category 1, category 2, category 3, or category 4.

Setting Wait List Priority Procedure

Within categories 3-7 the agency shall maintain a wait list of clients in the order of the categories first and the order of the date that the client is determined eligible for waiver services second.

The Bill also creates a study committee to investigate the possibilities of creating a pre-paid service plan for people with developmental disabilities similar to the pre-paid college program.