Narrative: l. 5.

WVDRS maintains a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Medical Services (BMS), the state agency responsible for the State Medicaid plan under the Title XIX of the Social Security Act; this is also known as the Waiver program. An advisory group for the program is constituted with the WV Developmental Disability Council (WVDDC). WVDRS has a position on the council. WVDRS and BMS interact as part of this advisory group through the WVDDC. The primary involvement of the Title XIX Medicaid Waiver program in fostering competitive, integrated employment outcomes through vocational rehabilitation is by mandating referral to WVDRS and providing ongoing support funding for those cases closed by WVDRS in Supported Employment. The WVDDC also advises BMS on policy development and meeting unmet needs of those participating in the Title XIX Medicaid Waiver program.

In addition to interacting with Title XIX Medicaid Waiver staff as part of the WVDDC meetings, WVDRS participates in two subcommittees, Employment First and Medley Management. The Employment First committee focuses on promoting employment for intellectually/developmentally disabled (IDD) individuals as a first option among services providers, legislators, state policy makers, and the community at large. The Medley Management committee provides oversight and advice to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Behavioral Health on the state’s Medley program, which serves a specific group of IDD individuals that are at risk of institutionalization. These are often individuals that are also Title XIX Medicaid Waiver eligible. On both of these committees, WVDRS promotes a focus on competitive, integrated employment outcomes.

WVDRS counselors will, at the time of application, gather information regarding an individual’s third-party resources, including Medicaid. If it is determined that the individual receives Medicaid benefits, BMS will provide all Medicaid-covered services to the individual, regardless of that individual’s continued status with WVDRS. If an individual is approved to receive services from WVDRS and begins to receive Medicaid benefits at a later time, BMS will provide all Medicaid-covered services to the individual from that time forward.

Individuals receiving services from BMS will receive information on the eligibility requirements for WVDRS and the services WVDRS provides. If an individual receiving services from BMS expresses a desire to work, he or she will be referred to WVDRS at that time. Similarly, WVDRS consumers who are Medicaid-eligible will be referred to BMS.

WVDRS also maintains an MOU with the Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), within the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau for Behavioral Health (BBH), the state agency with primary responsibility for providing services and supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities and individuals with developmental disabilities. WVDRS interacts with both BBH and its subsidiary, DIDD.

WVDRS, BBH, and DIDD agree to collaborate to facilitate delivery of services, including extended services, to individuals with the most significant disabilities in the following ways:

• The DIDD program manager and WVDRS will interact regularly as part of the WVDDC meetings, as well as on the Employment First and Medley Management committees. The Employment First committee focuses on promoting employment for IDD individuals as a first option among services providers, legislators, state policy makers, and the community at large. The Medley Management committee provides oversight and advice to the BBH on the state’s Medley program, which serves a specific group of IDD individuals that are at risk of institutionalization. On these committees, WVDRS promotes a focus on competitive, integrated employment outcomes.
• The BBH administers several Customized Employment grants with vendors of WVDRS. BBH and WVDRS will jointly train the Community Rehabilitation Programs receiving these grants as well as WVDRS staff working with these programs.
• BBH and WVDRS will work together in mediating problems in cases being served jointly in the programs.
• WVDRS will meet monthly with BBH staff to review applicants for an unmet needs funding program to foster assistance to IDD individuals where traditional funding sources do not provide needed supports.
• Individuals receiving services from BBH or DIDD will receive information on the eligibility requirements for WVDRS and the services WVDRS provides. If an individual receiving services from BBH or DIDD expresses a desire to work, he or she will be referred to WVDRS at that time.

WVDRS collaborates with the BBH and its partners to provide quality and timely vocational rehabilitation services to West Virginians with behavioral health conditions who qualify.

WVDRS and BBH staff regularly attend various meetings to receive program updates which allows for collaboration whenever possible. Examples of meetings include:

• The Olmstead Council – WVDRS and BBH are both state agencies that are required to participate in quarterly Olmstead Council meetings. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the civil rights of people with disabilities (including those with behavioral health conditions that result in disability) to receive services and supports in the most integrated setting in the community.
• BBH and WVDRS are two of the principal state agencies that must have membership on the West Virginia Behavioral Health Planning Council (WVBHPC) and attend quarterly meetings, working together and with others, to accomplish the goals of the council. The WVBHPC is a unified voice that promotes wellness, recovery, and resiliency for all West Virginians. The primary purpose of the WVBHPC is to advocate for and evaluate the provision of community-based behavioral health services.
• WVDRS and BBH are two of the principal state agencies that must have membership on the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and attend quarterly meetings allowing each agency to get program updates and to collaborate wherever possible. The SILC’s mission is to ensure persons who have disabilities have access to community-based resources that promote personal choice and facilitate the achievement of their independent living goals.