State Budget Adjustments Act Introduced: The NCGA is in the process this week of passing a brief budget adjustments act, HB 103. A reminder that the state passed a two-year budget for fiscal years July 2021-June 2023 last November which included additional waiver slots, increases to wages for direct support professionals, and an increase in…
Public Policy Updates – May 2022
Services in NC Medicaid Plan NC plans to offer additional services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as others, under (i) services plan through the Medicaid program. When Tailored Plans begin operation December 1, 2022 as part of the state’s Medicaid Transformation some of the services that LME-MCOs offered under b(3) such…
Early Voting and Voting by Mail
The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) is sharing information about voting in North Carolina during this election year through blog articles, social media posts, and other channels. Much attention will be paid this year to state primaries, US Congressional races, and state legislative races. As a nonprofit organization, ASNC does not become directly involved…
Register to Vote by April 22 for May 17 Primary
The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) is updating and re-publishing its series of articles on elections and voting in North Carolina. ASNC encourages you to understand when and how you can exercise your right to vote. The North Carolina Primary election will be held on May 17, 2022. Primaries determine which candidates will…
Elections 2022: Get Ready to Vote
As a nonprofit organization, the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) does not become directly involved in elections or campaigns, but we want members of our community to understand their right to vote, how to vote, and where to get accurate and up-to-date information. ASNC will be publishing updated version of articles, blogs and other…
Public Policy Update: Rate Increase to Support Wages for Direct Support Workers A First Step in Right Direction
The state budget that passed in December 2021 included funding towards increasing Medicaid home and community-based provider rates so that wages paid to direct support professionals/direct support workers can be increased. While the budget special provision language states that 15.00 per hour is the goal, there is not enough money appropriated in the budget to…
Public Policy Update: Competitive Integrated Employment in North Carolina Enters New Era with Plan for Closure of “Sheltered Workshops”
The state of North Carolina (NC DHHS) announced they have entered into a settlement agreement with Disability Rights North Carolina and the Center for Public Representation to ensure that over 1,000 individuals with disabilities currently working in segregated employment settings have the opportunity to seek out community-based integrated competitive employment. Segregated employment settings, often called…
Public Policy Update: “i” Services in 1115 Waiver May Help Those Waiting
North Carolina is in the process of seeking approval by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services to add “i” home and community-based services (HCBS) under our state’s new 1115 Medicaid plan. These “i” HCBS services would offer additional supports to people with disabilities who are eligible for Medicaid. NC DHHS has requested that most…
North Carolina Public Policy Update: State Budget Passes, Tailored Plans Delayed
Medicaid Transformation Delay While the news below about the budget is very good, delays in passing a state budget coupled with the realignment of county MH/DD/SAS management among LME MCOs mean that the long-awaited Medicaid Tailored Plan rollout will be moved from July 1, 2022, to December 1, 2022. Tailored Plans are an integrated health…