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As a part of the re-write, DDRS inserted language that placed a twelve-month time limit on Pre-Vocational Services and an eighteen-month time limit on Supported Employment Follow-along. DDRS has stated that if CMS accepted the re-write of the DD waiver, they would proceed to amend the Support Services and Autism waivers to reflect the same language. As stated by DDRS, their vision of the future is that the individual remains at home as long as possible. If the person wants to work, they do so in an integrated setting, not a workshop. Support services such as recreation, family support, respite, etc. would be provided on a periodic basis. DDRS has said there is a CMS time-limit on both services, they have said that there is a Federal Department of Wage and Hour time-limit, and they have said we risk a payback of service dollars for violating these time-limits. Apparently we in Indiana have found a law no one in the other forty-nine states knows about. I have administered workshops for thirty-seven years, have been through many DOL Wage and Hour audits including one during the past fiscal year, and no one has ever mentioned this law. If the present wording and interpretation holds, we face a loss of service provision income that means we will have to decide whether we can sustain the workshop. DDRS cannot close a workshop as they have no authority to do so; however, they can effectuate the same decision by how funding is channeled. The reality of our world is that some individuals with intellectual disabilities are not able to compete effectively in the typical workplace. Our average percentage of typical production in the workshop runs a bit over ten percent. In other words, a manufacturer would have to hire ten of the individuals in the workshop to gain the amount of work performed by one typical worker. When the labor market was tight, employers were willing to carve out small portions of a job allowing an individual with an intellectual disability to complete those tasks. Employers are no longer willing to do that. It is unrealistic to assume that all individuals with intellectual disabilities can work in a competitive setting. It is also unrealistic to assume all of them want to. The choice of workplace should never be forced on anyone. A workshop is a valid option and must remain available. According to the new DD waiver, Supported Employment Follow-Along (SEFA) can be provided for a maximum of 18 months at any one job site for any single consumer. Since its inception, SEFA has never been time limited, and the reason is quite obvious to anyone who has done job development and job coaching. The situation can best be understood by asking the question, “Has your job changed in the past year?” Employers not only expect their employees to do their regular job, they expect them to be able to shift tasks as needed and modify routines as necessary. Having worked with people with intellectual disabilities for decades, one of the things that I know for sure is that changing learned routines can be very challenging. If you add to that an intellectual disability, change can become more problematic. As the economy has changed, multiple demands have become the rule rather than the exception. Further, employers are adding more technology requiring the learning of new skills, and as the technology is upgraded, additional changes in work routine are expected. This requires the ability of the agency to provide intermittent support over a long time period, not just 18 months. We want a human service system that enables client choice. Choice means that the client is the one who determines where s/he works or lives unless the person is underage or has a legal guardian. The value of the potential outcomes is a judgment made by the consumer, not the caseworkers, family, or the State of Indiana. We want a human service system that is locally controlled and managed. The trend over the past few years has been to add levels and layers between the consumer and the provider that do nothing to add to the quality of service or the nature of outcomes. What those levels and layers do is to absorb funds that could be better directed toward provision of services and addressing the waiting list. At present, a study group is working on proposals that would allow workshops to continue although perhaps under a different program category and a changed rate of reimbursement. We are very appreciative of the decision of the Governor and Secretary Murphy that services to individuals with intellectual disabilities will be exempt, at least for now, from the 10% budget reductions announced by the Governor. Those decisions were the result of advocacy by organizations like the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and advocates like you. If we are unable to resolve the issues cited in this document, then it may be that the only way to address them is with legislation. It was the possibility of legislative action that strongly influenced FSSA to abort the contract with IBM. It was the possibility of legislative action that caused FSSA to abandon the proposed five-percent reduction in provider fees for service last year. It may be that we will eventually come to you asking you to support legislation that would remedy the problems caused by the actions of DDRS.
The past two years have seen a lot of movement at PCS, some initiated at the local level on its own, some in response to changes at the State level. The challenge has been and is to assure that the movement and motion of the agency are in a forward direction; that the consumers continue to receive services that are important to their growth, their needs, their choices and their dreams. It is not always easy to recognize and accomplish that which is needed to maintain those services. The administration has sought input from sources at all levels within and beyond the agency, has given input in return, and has asked staff to make sometimes difficult adjustments based on what has been learned. It has been a privilege for me to be given the opportunity to be a part of this continuing and important process. I know that the coming years will see more adjustments to a changing environment. One thing only, I believe, must remain the same, and I am convinced that it will. That one thing is the dedication of all involved to the mission of providing opportunities and supporting the success of those served by Peak Community Services. “I move to” leave the Presidency of the Board of Directors of Peak Community Services, but my advocacy for movement that maintains its success remains unchanged. The Marines Have Landed!by Christina Pifer
Since our last newsletter, we have celebrated many holidays that deal with the military: Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. Here at Peak Community Services we are honored to have three former marines, Ray Aldridge, Dick Kingery, and Ron Muhlethaler. Here is our salute to veterans who were not only honored on November 11th , but who also celebrated the Marine Corps birthday on the 10th of November. Ray Aldridge was a Sergeant in several units. He was in 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, Weapons Training Battalion, and 3rd Battalion 9th Marines. He was in active service for nearly ten years and served in various areas of the Pacific. Ray received a good conduct medal with three stars and three Meritorious Service Awards. The Meritorious Service award is given for outstanding professionalism. When I asked how the Marine Corps has helped him with his job at Peak Community Services, he said that the discipline and “can do” attitude have been very helpful. Dick Kingery was a Corporal in the 3rd Battalion 9th Marines. He was in the Marines Corps for two years, during which time he served one year in Vietnam. Dick was awarded various service medals and the Purple Heart, which is given to someone who was wounded in combat. He says that the Marines helped him with his job by helping him pay for college. It also gave him a “don’t give up” attitude. Ron also was a Corporal and served for three years. He was in the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines in Vietnam and had two cruises to Puerto Rico. He received various service ribbons during his time of service. The Marines helped Ron further his education. The things that he learned from the Marines include working with other people, getting things done and teamwork. As I talked with them, one thing stood out. Camaraderie is very special. They would drop everything and go help a fellow marine just because they were a marine. This is a great example and reiterates the fact that attitude is everything and teamwork is important. Thank you, gentlemen, for serving our country. Thank you for joining our team as we make dreams happen. Owen’s Gardenby Dick Kingery
This is not a problem in Winamac, because Owen has accepted that responsibility. Every day, without fail. Owen waters and fertilizes the containers. Any visitor can tell that he takes great pride in his work. He has several containers on all sides of the building, and he makes sure to take proper care of them, regardless of the amount and type of sunlight they receive. Owen has beautiful flower planters on three sides of the building. His flowers are a beautiful burst of color and are bound to get your attention. They give a birght spring, summer or fall look as the seasons warrent. He has grown juicy cucumbers, thick peppers and sweet tomatoes. These photos were taken during the last week of summer. At that time, Owen was sad that his cucumbers and peppers had dried up, and that his tomatoes would soon be joining them. However, Owen is learning what all gardeners know: planning for next year is half the fun. Owen and his Life Skills Instructor have already started looking at seed catalogs. With someone as conscientious as Owen, the garden is bound to be bigger and better next spring. Corinth Brethren Quilts
Members of the committee visited the house so each woman could pick out the material for her quilt. When the quilts were finished, the group returned to present the finished works of art to the consumers. When I took pictures of the quilts, each consumer wanted to tell me why she picked the colors she did. Joyce loved the green and orange print together, while Ashley and Angel really liked the red, white, and blue theme. If you look closely at Angel’s quilt you will notice that there is a little more to hers than just the color. Being the avid sports follower that she is - and also an IU fan - she just had to have the IU material in her quilt. Out West!
Ray said they attended fairs and festivals, and as always, they “looked around” a bit.. Ray is quite the rodeo champion. When asked what his mother did, he stated she got on the bull also! (Too bad we didn’t get a picture of that....) Ray liked the trip from start to finish. He loves flying and said he liked the new terminal at the Indianapolis Airport. It’s obvious he fits right in once he gets there. While he enjoys the scenery of the state, he looks right at home from his red plaid shirt to the tips of his cowboy boots. Rainbow
Look! Look! Look at the picture! There he is wearing a hat o’er his eyes! Log Cabin
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Anonymous Designated to the Consumer Appreciation Event
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DREAM MAKERMilton & Jean Cole BELIEVERSUnnamed Donors DREAMERSDr. Rex & Nancy Allman Richard & Marcelline Allen In Memory of Robert Redweik
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The Peak Community Services Foundation provides funds to support individuals who are on a waiting list for Medicaid Waiver services. To be considered for support, an individual must:
Recipients must agree that once they come to the top of the list and are offered government funds, they will report this change in status to the Foundation. We invite you to make an application for funding. Link to PDF version of Application for Foundation Funding
We are currently receiving payments on pledges made in previous years. Thank you for your continued support!
Logansport Dream High 2009 ContributorsDream High Society: Dream Maker
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Peak Community Services 1416 Woodlawn Avenue |
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Peak Community Services Foundation Contact Peak Community Services |
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The Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Services (DDRS) has re-written the Developmental Disabilities Waiver, and the re-write has been approved by the Center for Medicaid Services (CMS). 
As I complete my term as President of the Board of Directors at Peak Community Services, I think of all of the motions that I have heard. “I move to...” has been the lead-in phrase to many votes registered at Board meetings. Motion and movement are necessary components of any agency that seeks to remain dynamic and viable. 
A container garden requires more constant care than a regular garden. Without almost daily watering, plants and produce wither and under-perform. 
For the past few years members of the Corinth Brethren Mission Committee have made quilts for consumers who live in the Logansport group homes. This year the committee made six quilts for the women who live at the Woodlawn residence.
Ray Crawford and his mother enjoy going out west. They spend time whenever they can in Wyoming with their friend, Mabel.
This year, they spent three weeks enjoying the scenery and atmosphere offerred by this great Western state.
Once again, our own Jim Baker was in a Civic Player production, this time “Finian’s Rainbow.” Now, sing along...
Doug Lewis has the potential to be a small businessman.
Just take a look at the birdhouses he made, fashioned after a log cabin. He found the pattern on the computer. He choose this pattern because Dick Kingery was able to get the desired wood, which is from an old barn.
Doug says that the best part of the project is being able to work with tools, his favorite being the drill. 
We are very happy to report that the Dream High Breakfasts for 2009 were a resounding success! Briefly, let me share the reason we hold them. When a person is diagnosed with a Developmental Disability, and their family realizes that they will need support just to get through their daily lives, they apply for services from the State. This is where the waiting list comes in, and the wait begins. 
