Developmental Disabilities Council - Sept. 22, 2025

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Agenda

***Reminder- Advisory council meeting will start recording***

• Call to order, establish quorum (4 members present).
• Approval of June 23, 2025 minutes.
• Thank you, John!

• Program Updates & New Hires – Stacie Mullins or Kim Cota
• Abuse Reporting Letter check-in – Sara Szwarc

• Quorum met.
• June minutes approved, John abstains due to absence.
• A moment to honor and thank John for his contributions to the DD Advisory Council!
• Thank you to all of you who have participated on hiring panels (most recently Ann!). The program has promoted a Kids Team coordinator, Karissa Gundle, to Kids DRC (Residential placements). We are also finalizing a Service Coordinator hiring across all teams (5 vacancies).
• Amy B. adds that two Quality Assurance Specialists were promoted internally to the Quality Assurance team, Chrystie Wade and Bradley Watts, coming out of Licensing which is being transferred to the State (more on that later in this meeting).
• IGA contract has been finalized, and we expect all our funding.  A lot of movement at the State level which will impact our program (more to come).  The State is also in the process of developing a statewide case management system. Currently, each CME has their own case management system.  The newly developed system will first be integrated with the ONE Eligibility system.
• John asks: Even though 2027 will be the time for the Federal Mandate conversation(s), when would be the appropriate time for the Advisory Council to ask questions at the Federal level about HB1 (potential Medicaid changes), how we want to proceed at the County and how to implement our services and ideals. Stacie replies that we currently do not have any answers, but that conversations are just beginning to happen. This could be a standing Agenda item for us.
• On June 30, 2025, Sara reached out to Mary Rumbaugh (H3S Director) and Tracy Garell (Social Services Division Director). They replied in a letter to Sara and as part of the update, let Sara know that there is a plan at the state to incorporate Facilities into the abuse reporting data system (OTIS Data) when the statewide case management system is implemented. They have asked OHA and ODDS to make this data more visible/available to families. No details or timelines have been given at this time. Mary mentioned she would be happy to come meet with the Advisory Council regarding next steps. Sara therefore requests an invitation to be extended to Mary for next month’s DD Council meeting. Sara to follow up with Mary/Tracy re: invitation.
• John expresses once more a reminder that getting this far in the process took a year and a half and wonders if the Advisory Council can find ways to get through things a little more quickly going forward. Sara L. acknowledges this and believes that the next time something of this importance comes up, the Advisory Council will be able to get through it more quickly. She adds that it seems this request is going to line up with the new system rollouts statewide, and that it is coming together despite the initially lengthy time spent on this abuse letter.

• Medicaid Funding Updates – Chris Goff
• Licensing changes, effective 1/1/2026 – Sara Lambert
• Foster Care changes – Sara Lambert

• The main concern seems to be reduction in services and parents providing services being impacted, along with eligibility barriers and how those may impact things. Chris also mentions the chance that individuals will need to renew their Medicaid eligibility every six months as opposed to annually. The next Medicaid meeting has been moved to 9/30, so she hopes there will be some updates at that time. Sara S. and Colleen confirm they received letters that confirmed eligibility for the next two years, which although a pleasant surprise, also leaves the group wondering at the discrepancies in renewal timelines. More to follow.
• John asks if the history (pre-pandemic) is being shared with people also. Stacie says yes, but that some people are new and not part of that history, so it wouldn’t affect them the same way.
• Ann adds that as an agency owner, the new regulation that asks agencies to have three months’ worth of payroll and expenses liquid in the bank to continue their certification is impossible as a non-profit. She wanted to know if this had come up in meetings. Stacie says it hasn’t yet but thanks Ann for sharing that.  Ann continues by saying agencies will likely need to size down to be able to make the regulations work. She adds that it feels like the State is trying to have everyone move to PSWs and away from DSP agencies. Lyrra and Ann both offer some thoughtful conversation regarding this topic and PSW/DSP rates. This is something to keep an eye on over the next year.

• Licensing will be changing from being managed at the CDDP level to being handled by ODDS. ODDS took many notes during the last meeting but as of now there are not too many updates. The next meeting date has not been set yet. Sara had some questions for the county regarding Licensing:
• Would the county retain staff? Through QA hiring, yes, some Licensing staff will be retained by the County. The County will have positions available to the other Licensing staff if they choose to remain with the county, however, they are still waiting for the full picture from the State as to what is available for them at the state before they can make their informed decisions.
• What impact is the county anticipating (other than staffing)? Stacie answers that a lot of licensing burdens will be transferred to Case managers. The county is also worried about losing its connection to our provider community, who is having a difficult time grieving this change.
• John asks if the employee qualifications at the county are automatically transferrable to the state’s licensing qualifications. Stacie says that the qualifications for licensing and children’s foster care will differ (not for PSWs/DSPs).
• John also asks where the DD Council’s advice/questions/input will be directed regarding Licensing if the licensing is now overseen by ODDS. Stacie answers we still have to figure out a way to continue working with our community of providers. Sara L. adds that from the provider’s perspective, there are some concerns regarding OARs, consistency and expectations regarding the interpretation of the OARs between the State and the county and what that will look like.
• There aren’t too many talking points on this yet, but Sara wanted the Advisory Council to be aware. In this legislative session, a lot of funding was given out to different service models. DD and Mental Health are not receiving Cost of Living increases this year, which is fairly impactful. When the bargaining agreement is signed (any day now), that will hit a lot of people across the county and the state. Additionally, there has been a request made by the Oregon adult Foster Care providers that will impact the county, which would be to separate from the SEIU (union) and have a different association or council represent them at the state level. This process is already underway. There will be hearings with the ERB November 3 and 4th, which may or may not be open to the public.

• Annual Agenda Planning (October meeting) – Sara Lambert
• Council Membership Updates – Sara Lambert and Chris Goff

• We would like to plan our Agenda for the next year. A couple items are already slated, Point Click Care for example. Sara L. requests that the Advisory Council members email Sara with suggestions and she and Chris will compile a list that we can go over with the council together. The aim is to establish the Agenda next month. Email csgoff1@gmail.com or sara_colelambert@comcast.net with suggestions as soon as you can.
• John reminds us that giving options for self-advocates/self-advocacy is important.
• Amy adds that with the QA unit underway, there will be a few things on which QA would appreciate the Council’s input/guidance.

• Sara L. reminds the advisory council (Bylaws in Article IV) regarding attendance, which say that missing three consecutive meetings can open up the spot on the Advisory Council. If you need to miss a meeting, please communicate an absence with Amy, Sara, Chris or Malika. We do not need an explanation but would appreciate being informed.
• Sara adds that in her review of the Bylaws, no more than 50% of the Advisory Council terms should expire at any one time and should be staggered. This is not currently the case, as most terms expire in 2027. Amy and Malika to follow up.

Open floor (Council)

Public comment (Public)

• No guests were present.
• No public comment.
• Sara L. mentions it would be a nice idea to do some community outreach by the Advisory Council. Please be thinking of that when emailing suggestions for agenda items. Lyrra mentions many people do not know about the DD Program, much less the Advisory Council. Stacie acknowledges that although enrollment and eligibility remains very high, that the County is always looking for ways to reach people who might need this program.

October 27, 2025, 04:30pm-06:00pm

Next agenda topics: (determined by Annual Plan)

• Meeting adjourned two minutes early via motion by Chris, seconded by Sara.