Men With Autism To Lose Home 1/31/18
Donation protected
Hi everyone. This page has been set up to raise funds for our loved ones, Kevin and Dalton, two young-men with developmental disabilities given severe autism. We just learned that they will lose their place at their adult care home, as of January 31, 2018 because of a lack of funding at the state level. Please read our story below, including a news report by a local TV station that covered our situation.
Thank you sincerely for any donation you provide, which will go to extending their stay while we fight for their funding and figure out a solution to this devastating problem.
VIDEO: KCRG News Story on Kevin and Dalton
ARTICLE: Kevin and Dalton's Situation
Sincerely,
Michelle Maher, Kevin’s sister and legal guardian
Lisa McKiney, Dalton’s mother
Dalton (left) is 22-years old, loves his family, maps, phone books, NASCAR and interacting with people, as well as pizza and hamburgers. He is a very funny, sweet and loving young man.
Kevin (right side) is 27-years old, loves being around people and enjoys playing with basketballs and his favorite toy Simon. Both of his parents are deceased. Overall, he’s a happy, smilie, fun loving guy who can get anyone around him smiling and laughing.
Dalton and Kevin met about a year ago at REM Iowa, an organization that serves adults and children with disabilities. They both have severe autism and intense behavioral issues, which requires professional care and a safe environment (e.g., reinforced windows, enclosed TV, etc.). As roommates, they instantly became friends and have shown significant improvement through REM Iowa’s program, which provides 24/7 one-on-one care. It has been a true blessing for the young men’s development and our families. If we are unable to find a solution, they will be torn apart and will be placed elsewhere, potentially institutionalized, which is extremely disruptive, sad and concerning given all the progress they have made.
The funding issue is complicated, but boils down to funding through Medicaid and the reimbursement rate that, according to REM Iowa, is only covering 40% of the program cost.
We are fighting for Kevin and Dalton and for REM to receive more funding to cover their costs. They’re human just like you and me.
The following statements have been provided by REM:
“REM Iowa has been providing quality of life enhancing services to the citizens of Iowa for more than 30 years. We take our obligation to provide high quality services to the individuals we support very seriously. Deciding to close a program is a step we take only as a last resort and with a very heavy heart. Unfortunately, we have decided that we have no choice but to close this program effective January 31, 2018.
Since the implementation of Managed Care for Medicaid recipients of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) in April 2016, REM Iowa has not been reimbursed at a rate that supports the individual service needs of the gentlemen in this program. We have attempted to work with the state and the MCOs for nearly two years while continuing to provide the 1:1 staffing support levels that are required according to the authorized service plans established for the gentlemen supported by this program. The rate that we are receiving for services only covers approximately 40 percent of the cost of these services. No provider could continue to sustain losses of this nature indefinitely.
Further complicating the situation, effective December 1, 2017, the state moved to a tiered rate system that relies exclusively on the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS). That tool does not adequately capture the needs of many of the individuals served in home and community-based services and, as a result, is placing individuals in rate tiers that will not cover the cost of the services they are receiving."
No one we have contacted about this situation can give us an answer as to what’s going to happen to Kevin and Dalton at the end of the month if we can’t raise money or win the fight to keep them where they are.
Their future is unknown right now and that’s just not right. All we want is for them to stay where they are and to continue to blossom as they both have done since going to REM.
** All of the funds raised will go directly to Kevin and Dalton’s housing and ensure that they continue to get the care that they need and deserve. **
THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! Your kindness and humanity are sincerely appreciated. Please share as appropriate.
Sincerely,
Michelle and Lisa and our families
Here’s the links to all of the stories that have been on the news regarding this so far -
http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Medicaid-changes-leaving-two-people-with-autism-without-a-home-468170003.html
http://www.kwwl.com/story/37203873/2018/01/05/iowa-men-with-disabilities-to-lose-home-services-by-end-of-month
http://www.kcci.com/article/medicaid-changes-forcing-two-people-with-autism-out-of-a-group-home/14772691
Thank you sincerely for any donation you provide, which will go to extending their stay while we fight for their funding and figure out a solution to this devastating problem.
VIDEO: KCRG News Story on Kevin and Dalton
ARTICLE: Kevin and Dalton's Situation
Sincerely,
Michelle Maher, Kevin’s sister and legal guardian
Lisa McKiney, Dalton’s mother
Dalton (left) is 22-years old, loves his family, maps, phone books, NASCAR and interacting with people, as well as pizza and hamburgers. He is a very funny, sweet and loving young man.
Kevin (right side) is 27-years old, loves being around people and enjoys playing with basketballs and his favorite toy Simon. Both of his parents are deceased. Overall, he’s a happy, smilie, fun loving guy who can get anyone around him smiling and laughing.
Dalton and Kevin met about a year ago at REM Iowa, an organization that serves adults and children with disabilities. They both have severe autism and intense behavioral issues, which requires professional care and a safe environment (e.g., reinforced windows, enclosed TV, etc.). As roommates, they instantly became friends and have shown significant improvement through REM Iowa’s program, which provides 24/7 one-on-one care. It has been a true blessing for the young men’s development and our families. If we are unable to find a solution, they will be torn apart and will be placed elsewhere, potentially institutionalized, which is extremely disruptive, sad and concerning given all the progress they have made.
The funding issue is complicated, but boils down to funding through Medicaid and the reimbursement rate that, according to REM Iowa, is only covering 40% of the program cost.
We are fighting for Kevin and Dalton and for REM to receive more funding to cover their costs. They’re human just like you and me.
The following statements have been provided by REM:
“REM Iowa has been providing quality of life enhancing services to the citizens of Iowa for more than 30 years. We take our obligation to provide high quality services to the individuals we support very seriously. Deciding to close a program is a step we take only as a last resort and with a very heavy heart. Unfortunately, we have decided that we have no choice but to close this program effective January 31, 2018.
Since the implementation of Managed Care for Medicaid recipients of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) in April 2016, REM Iowa has not been reimbursed at a rate that supports the individual service needs of the gentlemen in this program. We have attempted to work with the state and the MCOs for nearly two years while continuing to provide the 1:1 staffing support levels that are required according to the authorized service plans established for the gentlemen supported by this program. The rate that we are receiving for services only covers approximately 40 percent of the cost of these services. No provider could continue to sustain losses of this nature indefinitely.
Further complicating the situation, effective December 1, 2017, the state moved to a tiered rate system that relies exclusively on the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS). That tool does not adequately capture the needs of many of the individuals served in home and community-based services and, as a result, is placing individuals in rate tiers that will not cover the cost of the services they are receiving."
No one we have contacted about this situation can give us an answer as to what’s going to happen to Kevin and Dalton at the end of the month if we can’t raise money or win the fight to keep them where they are.
Their future is unknown right now and that’s just not right. All we want is for them to stay where they are and to continue to blossom as they both have done since going to REM.
** All of the funds raised will go directly to Kevin and Dalton’s housing and ensure that they continue to get the care that they need and deserve. **
THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! Your kindness and humanity are sincerely appreciated. Please share as appropriate.
Sincerely,
Michelle and Lisa and our families
Here’s the links to all of the stories that have been on the news regarding this so far -
http://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Medicaid-changes-leaving-two-people-with-autism-without-a-home-468170003.html
http://www.kwwl.com/story/37203873/2018/01/05/iowa-men-with-disabilities-to-lose-home-services-by-end-of-month
http://www.kcci.com/article/medicaid-changes-forcing-two-people-with-autism-out-of-a-group-home/14772691
Organizer
Michelle Maher
Organizer
Cedar Rapids, IA
