Update on the Autism Waiver

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

I have been asked to post the information following my signature to our website by Jon 's office. They have been inundated with calls regarding this.

Waivers take a long time to develop and then must be approved by CMS. The Autism Waiver, approved under Ohio HB66, passed in June, is currently under development. We will be posting updates to our website regularly, as things change and develop. If there is no new information posted or no new email updates from ASO, things are still under development.

Rep. Jon was been instrumental in getting the waiver into legislation, but he is not the party responsible for developing the details of it. Please DO NOT contact his office for further information - he had done his job on this and is working hard on other recommendations. Rest assured that ODMRDD, ODJSF and others, including ASO, are working very hard to make the waiver happen. ASO WILL post updates as changes occur and send out alerts - so please check back to the ASO website at www.autismohio.org or the Ohio Autism Taskforce website at www.ohioautismlegislation.org.

Please feel free to share this information!

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org2005 ASO Bi-Annual Conference"Reaching Beyond the Horizon - Challenging the Autism Spectrum"Friday and Saturday, October 14-15, 2005 Kingsgate Marriott in Cincinnati, Ohio

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The answer to the most frequently asked questions regarding the autism waiver are as follows: 1. The autism waiver was approved in the recently enacted state budget bill (HB 66)

2. Currently, the waiver is under development. The earliest it will be available is fall, 2006 - unfortunately, it may take longer.

3. Check back frequently for updates. Your child with autism may be eligible for benefits and assistance through programs offered by the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH). Please contact the public health nurse at your county Health Department for qualifications and criteria. Also, contact your county Department of Jobs & Family Services (JFS) to inquire about Medicaid eligibility requirements for your child with autism and/or family. Finally, contact your county Department of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) to inquire about qualifications for the Level One Waiver. Your child with autism may qualify for benefits based on your level of income. Note that a set number of waivers are allocated to each county and there will likely be a waiting list (definitely put your name on any waiting list). You may also contact Bill Shackleford for additional information about available services: Bill ShacklefordSenior Policy AdvisorDivision of Medicaid PolicyOhio Department of Mental Retardation & Developmental DisabilitiesPhone: 614-752-8469Fax: 614-752-5303bill.shackleford@...

Contact information for your county can be found online as follows:

Visit http://odmrdd.state.oh.us/CountyBoardsDoc/countyboards1.htm for your local County Board of MRDD.

Visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/county/cntydir.stm for your local County Department of Jobs & Family Services (JFS).

Visit https://odhgateway.state.oh.us/LHDDirectory/NetMgr/NetMgr.aspx for your local Department of Health.