Narrative: h. 1.

DRS 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). DRS has a position on the council. DRS 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 DRS and providing ongoing support funding for those cases closed by DRS 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, DRS 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 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, DRS promotes a focus on competitive, integrated employment outcomes.

DRS 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 DRS. If an individual is approved to receive services from DRS 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 DRS and the services DRS provides. If an individual receiving services from BMS expresses a desire to work, he or she will be referred to DRS at that time. Similarly, DRS consumers who are Medicaid–eligible will be referred to BMS.

DRS 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. DRS interacts with both BBH and its subsidiary, DIDD.

DRS, 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 DRS 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 both of these committees, DRS promotes a focus on competitive, integrated employment outcomes.

– The BBH administers several Customized Employment grants with vendors of DRS. BBH and DRS will jointly train the Community Rehabilitation Programs receiving these grants as well as DRS staff working with these programs.

– BBH and DRS will work together in mediating problems in cases being served jointly in the programs.

– DRS 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 DRS and the services DRS provides. If an individual receiving services from BBH or DIDD expresses a desire to work, he or she will be referred to DRS at that time.

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

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

- The Olmstead Council – DRS and BBH are both state agencies that are required to participate in quarterly Olmstead Council meetings. Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) is a landmark United States 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 DRS 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.

- DRS 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 collaborate wherever possible. The West Virginia 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.