July 15, 2024
To: I/DD community members and Tribal partners
CC: CMEs and providers
From: Dana Hittle, Interim Director, Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS)
Subject: Compass Project update — In-home hours
Hello,
This message is for all who get services in their own or family homes. It is also for family members and guardians. Earlier this year, we promised to keep you updated about the Compass Project. I’m following up on that promise. Read this letter to learn more about the changes to planning your in-home hours. If you don’t get services in your home, this letter does not affect you.
Since ODDS created the Compass Project, one thing has remained consistent: why we’re doing this work. We are working to make it easier for you to plan and get the services you need. We want you to have the life that you want in your own home or community. We’re working on making our processes better, more transparent, and fair for everyone. As the Compass Project changes, our commitment to these goals has and will stay the same.
Why is the in-home hours update confusing?
We have listened to your feedback. Thank you for talking to us. That helps us to change how we work so we can serve you better.
We’ve heard confusion about the in-home hours changes. We’ve heard that some of you worry that you won’t have enough hours to meet your needs. We want to be sure that your needs are met. We will do our best to prepare you and help you through this transition.
We’ve heard confusion about what a service group is. You and your support team use the Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA) to understand what you need in your life and to reach your goals. The ONA puts people with similar needs into a service group. Your service group gives you a range of in-home hours to use when you make your Individual Support Plan (ISP). Your service group also figures out how much your providers get paid. We sent you a letter a year ago to tell you about your service group. If you don’t know your group, please ask your personal agent or service coordinator. They can tell you.
We’ve heard confusion about when the new service groups affect your in-home hours. This depends upon whether your hours will stay the same, go up or go down.
1. If your in-home hours stayed the same or went up: You are using your new range of hours to make your 2024 ISP.
2. If your in-home hours will go down: Starting April 1, 2025, when you renew your ISP, your range of hours will be based on your service group. If that range won’t meet your needs, you can apply for an exception now. Your services coordinator or personal agent can help you do this.
How do I get help?
We’re creating resources and trainings to help you and your support team through this change.
• We’re developing a guide to help you and your team make your next ISP. We hope to have this ready later this year.
• We’re hosting trainings for your services coordinators and personal agents to get them ready for the changes. We will start hosting trainings for you, family members and guardians later this year. In December, we will have a training on the exceptions process for family members and guardians. We will tell you about this in a future email.
• We’re also having community listening sessions where you can share your questions and concerns. You can learn more about these on our community engagement web page. Our next session is Aug. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom. Please register in advance.
• You can find help on our website, including videos, FAQs, and audio recordings.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out. Email us at ODDS.questions@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
I hope this helps clarify what’s happening with the Compass Project. I will be in touch in a few months with another update.
Best wishes,
Dana Hittle
Interim Director
Office of Developmental Disabilities Services
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