Indiana slashing rates for child care providers
Child care providers around Indiana will see reimbursement rate cuts of 10-35% as the state’s Family and Social Services Administration tries to close a $225 million funding gap.
Family and Social Services Administration
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Indy lawyer publishes novel exploring madness, mediocrity
In his first published novel, Indianapolis lawyer Michael Carter explores the struggle against the mundane and the fear of being average. “In the Belly of the Bell-Shaped Curve,” released in October, follows main character Turk as he turns to apes and embezzlement to escape mediocrity, all while walking the tightrope between madness and revelation.
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7th Circuit upholds ruling allowing moms to be paid caregivers for two medically fragile kids
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction on the state’s Medicaid administrator this week, blocking a policy change that the plaintiffs argued violates federal anti-discrimination laws by risking the institutionalization of two medically fragile children.
Consultant takes over Indiana’s Adult Protective Services system
For 40 years, a smattering of county prosecutorial offices have held the contract for the protection of endangered Hoosier adults. A for-profit company — Public Consulting Group’s Indiana subsidiary — took over Tuesday.
Indiana Ethics Commission approves waivers for 4 outgoing agency heads
Indiana’s Ethics Commission on Thursday unanimously approved post-employment waivers for four agency heads moving on from state government as Gov.-elect Mike Braun takes over. That includes David Rosenberg, president and CEO of the controversial Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Seniors, disabled Hoosiers and children all on the state’s waiting list for services
Two separate waitlists overseen by the Family and Social Services Agency have been likened to crises by critics, delaying much-needed health and child care services to Hoosiers in need. And now FSSA has added a third waiting list for applicants seeking child care services under the Child Care Development Fund and On My Way Pre-K.
Federal judge rules FSSA must provide modified relief for families in attendant care lawsuit
The last two parents of medically fragile children receiving state payments for attendant care will transition to Structured Family Caregiving with everyone else following a Friday court ruling. But the federal judge presiding over the attendant care lawsuit ruled that FSSA must “arrange” for families to receive in-home skilled nursing services on top of that program.
FSSA halts POWER Account contributions after federal ruling
The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) will stop enforcing collections of premium-like payments — the agency announced Monday, the same day it was set to restart the program. The action comes after a Thursday ruling from a federal judge striking contributions to POWER Accounts for Indiana’s Medicaid expansion enrollees.
Indiana adult day programs, already few in number, worry about their future
Like the rest of Indiana’s Medicaid landscape, adult day services face a monumental change this summer when the state transitions to managed care. For providers, that means a Managed Care Entity will handle their claims and payments rather than the state.
Indiana Disability Rights, ACLU file complaint over FSSA’s attendant care changes
Indiana Disability Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana (ACLU) filed a complaint against the state Friday alleging that changes to an attendant care program threaten the safety and well-being of medically complex children.
Families encouraged by recent FSSA changes on attendant care transition
Families of medically complex children cheered a move last week from the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to address two concerns about the transition from attendant care services to Structured Family Caregiving.
Families call on Holcomb administration to pivot on attendant care transition
Six moms of medically complex children pressured Gov. Eric Holcomb to reform his administration’s approach to transitioning families from attendant care to another caregiving program in a private Monday meeting at the Statehouse
FSSA implements waitlist for Aged and Disabled Waiver services
The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) last week announced a waitlist for the Aged and Disabled Waiver, meaning that Hoosiers in need of skilled nursing care and other services will be forced to wait.
Early learning committee recommends new child care standards
The Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) voted Wednesday to advance a new set of standards for evaluating child care centers around the state, with an anticipated three-year rollout starting in 2024.
Indiana launches online platform to search for addiction treatment
State officials have announced the launch of a new addiction treatment locator designed to help find and compare treatment facilities.
One year of 988: Indiana reports high in-state response rate, but progress ongoing
The relaunching and rebranding of the nationwide suicide prevention line as 988 — designed to be a mental health counterpart to 911 emergency services — arrived amid a year of record-high suicide deaths, according to provisional federal data.
Addressing the transportation barrier: Warren Co. receives grant for transportation, substance abuse education
As a rural area, Warren County and its residents face transportation barriers when it comes to getting around their community. Thanks to new funding, residents linked to the county’s judicial system will get some needed transportation assistance.
Dillman: End of COVID public health emergency impacts Indiana Medicaid
The COVID-19 federal public health emergency has ended, and Indiana Medicaid is returning to normal operations over the course of the next 12 months.
COA finds ‘extraordinary circumstances’ in spousal support, Medicaid dispute between wife, FSSA
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has prevailed before the Court of Appeals of Indiana in a dispute with a woman whose spousal support order increased the amount of Medicaid funding her incapacitated husband received.
Indiana staffing agency seeks $10M from state vendor in suit
A minority-owned staffing agency based in Batesville has filed a lawsuit in Marion County against a New Jersey-based company that alleges the out-of-state firm owes it $10 million related to a contract with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.
Pilot program in 5 county jails to integrate mental health, addiction peer recovery
Inmates with mental health and substance use disorders in five Indiana counties will be offered new peer support and resources through a pilot program designed to connect them with treatment options, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction has announced.