Developmental Disabilities Division to host statewide training

Aug. 29--The North Dakota Department of Human Services' Developmental Disabilities Division is hosting training statewide between Sept. 10 and 22 on new federal requirements for services provided to people with developmental disabilities. The requirements promote community living and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to work and participate in programs and services alongside people without disabilities.

"The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides funding for many types of services provided to people with developmental disabilities," said Developmental Disabilities Division Director Tina Bay. "The new requirements are intended to assure that these services promote community inclusion, choices and quality of life."

Bay said the division is hosting on-site training in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot, as well as holding a statewide video conference training session to educate people with developmental disabilities, their families, guardians, service providers, advocates and other interested individuals about the federal changes.

Department staff will share information that applies to group homes, independent living apartments and other types of non-family residential settings. They will also discuss expectations about different settings where people with developmental disabilities live, work and interact with others during the day. Person-centered service planning and documentation requirements will also be discussed, along with the state's transition plan to meet the new requirements.

The requirements apply to Medicaid waiver-funded homes and community-based services. Bay said some service providers may need to modify and adopt policies and provide training to assure their employees understand the new expectations.

Training sessions

Interested individuals are encouraged to attend one of these training sessions:

--Minot: Sept. 10, 1 to 4:30 p.m., Grand Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 1505 N. Broadway

--Fargo: Sept. 14, 1 to 4:30 p.m., Baymont Inn & Suites, 3333 13th Ave. S.

--Grand Forks: Sept.15, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Canad Inn, Ambassador Conference Room, 1000 S. 42nd St.

--Bismarck: Sept. 17, 1 to 4:30 p.m., Comfort Inn, conference rooms C and D, 1030 E. Interstate Ave.

In addition, the department will hold a statewide training session via video conference system from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 22. This training will be held on site at each of its eight regional human service centers, which are located in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot and Williston and at the Life Skills and Transition Center's West Conference Center, 701 W. 6th St., Grafton, N.D. See human service center location details at www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/regionalhsc/.

Individuals with disabilities who need special accommodations to participate should contact Colette Perkins at (800) 755-8529or ND Relay TTY (800) 366-6888, or cperkins@nd.gov.

More information about the new federal Medicaid home and community-based services regulations for developmental disabilities services is available at www.nd.gov/dhs/services/disabilities/dd.html or by contacting the Department of Human Services' Developmental Disabilities Division at 1237 W. Divide Ave., Suite 1A, Bismarck, ND 58501-1208, (701) 328-8930, toll-free (800) 755-8529, or ND Relay TTY (800) 366-6888.

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