ODDS update: End of COVID-19 public health emergency

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Feb. 9, 2023

To: I/DD community members, Tribal partners and ODDS staff
From: Anna S. Lansky, Interim Director, Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS)
Subject: End of COVID-19 public health emergency

President Biden announced the public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 will end May 11, 2023. The PHE allowed ODDS to take temporary actions to protect the health of people in Oregon’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) system.

We have known the PHE wouldn’t last forever. We have been preparing for this decision. Now that it’s official, we are in the unwinding phase of the PHE.

Some temporary actions that end with PHE on May 11 include:

• Remote video calls to conduct level of care (LOC), Oregon Needs Assessments (ONAs) and risk assessments.
• Preexisting authorizations and the ability to extend service authorizations for one year without doing a new Individual Support Plan (ISP).
• Community-based service programs using verbal consent for person-centered service plans.
• Parents and guardians of minors with I/DD serving as their child’s paid caregiver.

ODDS’ staff realizes that some of these transitions may be stressful for individuals, families, providers and CMEs. We will work with you to help you through this transition.

Regarding paid parent caregivers

We understand how the scheduled end of this program is unsettling to some families. Whether the program continues in some form is a legislative matter. The Oregon Legislature is considering whether to make paid parent caregivers a permanent option. We will update you when they have an outcome. We are also hosting virtual updates during the legislative session.

If the legislature passes a permanent solution: Families, it will still take time for ODDS to get federal approvals and set up a new program. We urge you to use the coming months to prepare other options. Work with your service coordinators to discuss and plan for this transition. The Oregon Home Care Commission also has resources to help parents and employers.

Email your questions about paid parent caregivers to ODDS.Questions@odhsoha.oregon.gov. 

Resource for case management entities (CMEs) and providers

ODDS prepared an online tool for CMEs and providers. It will help you understand what is changing in I/DD services, supports and procedures on May 11. It provides a brief summary of policies enacted during the PHE and what happens when the PHE ends. It also lists any actions that you must take regarding these changes.

Thank you for helping people through these changes. ODDS will continue to communicate policies and instructions to support you through this transition.  

Sincerely, 

 

 

Anna S. Lansky

Interim Director 

Office of Developmental Disabilities Services 

 

Previous ODDS Director’s Messages are available at http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/Pages/messages.aspx 

 

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You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille or a format you prefer. Contact the Oregon Office of Developmental Disabilities Services at 503-945-5811. We accept calls from all forms of relay service for people who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or have a speech disability. For more information about relay service providers visit www.oregonrelay.com or www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/trs-providers. 

 

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