[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6574566,"mediaKeyId","3069747-22e95e429db8fc25e677f340f6e70c04","parentId",3069747,"title","Council approves minutes and adjourns meeting","audioSeconds",3800,"startMs",2000,"endMs",3802000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3069747-22e95e429db8fc25e677f340f6e70c04&start=2&end=3802","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3069747-22e95e429db8fc25e677f340f6e70c04/thumbnail_2000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574566/Connecticut/Council-approves-minutes-and-adjourns-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574566-44fd5968ec9700ef3a8daad7d1c734c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998385&Signature=E8Dul4dMgp29A3HqMSyRUGDznTWeHxDXiYesejw38AO4Kt1SkGyHdQvT8XtC2tnNJEDQUQ9SG2HvFdLlOpIqgIMbe-pGx6mXNK0KHT6Fdk3pbwirXKtZy7bds-vT0OB-~QCx3zyvoCrSb9itbAvkv3XnV9ciMc4gyLPoeBZ1nUzdLel~pC9YEq3DqKFyczaSNov9r3fRnNltc8B3dClVT2TRrmz~q9meOBibFgwWUxKI60eHx5Q3nIAQtXyrSPaqyh-oLf-VaqjSiJq0oxRyqyCt0Y3f8mrRIE7acnbwFL63WgPj-xvC0FXCJDaTPuqM4-L0Gzw7YNVZs~9BMcaWhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Department of Developmental Services CT","date","2025-04-21T16:44:12.327Z","article","The Department of Developmental Services advisory council approved its prior meeting minutes at the start of the session and adjourned by voice vote at the end.

Early in the meeting a council member moved to approve the minutes. The chair called for the vote and members responded \"Aye,\" and the minutes were recorded as approved by voice vote; the transcript does not capture a named mover and second for that motion.

At the close of the meeting a member moved to adjourn and another member seconded; the chair asked, \"All in favor?\" and members answered \"Aye.\" The meeting was then declared adjourned by voice vote. No roll-call vote tallies or named votes were recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WEST REGION RAC Meeting Recording April 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the start of the meeting the advisory council approved the prior meeting's minutes by voice vote; at the end the council moved and approved adjournment by voice vote. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.","taxTitle","Department of Developmental Services, Departments and Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Connecticut","taxId",15757,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6574570,"DDS West Region previews Cheshire supported-housing project and RFP for group homes amid staffing shortfalls and 30 emergency placements",1060,1912000,2972000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3069747-22e95e429db8fc25e677f340f6e70c04&start=1912&end=2972","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3069747-22e95e429db8fc25e677f340f6e70c04/thumbnail_1912000.jpg","/articles/6574570/Connecticut/DDS-West-Region-previews-Cheshire-supported-housing-project-and-RFP-for-group-homes-amid-staffing-shortfalls-and-30-emergency-placements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574570-1fa4e2a5228e7b0a466b17cddf104cb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998385&Signature=hT4CKK7RKKFYIvIlRUUzz4rx8K7e~mVB9NqWPNjHwkAuPx9Zs3qzdp0hPCrjO8dke5iXA9o3u2VqKXKq1Pk0L5D5vLL0wtbQDFSCU5VAknKxrDTEpnL1Xe5plMeJSyVXq3RJhbAgfFIAjAfraXmrCrXx~Cn4YR6~8Vue~is5vFGG0zElAnIFlK~cRkA2Y3pOIruCOnVJp8GKZ5Qq2mx2Nb~7UaGh3MHIRqdVtnl0pMBwxIoEkAoTiaTSSyjGFUuTreDuhFlzolRjnFYJdCY2xgDvVaga-QOFEcYHDX053UqQ-iVSAH-eUAHZqGN40x-B~-FJlCj-LdyZ7FKGQyYkhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shannon, West Region staff with the Department of Developmental Services, told the advisory council the region is launching a supported-housing project in Cheshire and is processing outreach and applications for candidate tenants.

\"We are about to kick off our second project in the West Region. It is going to be in Cheshire on Highland Avenue...The supporting agency will be Southington ARC,\" Shannon said. The development includes 71 units overall; the West Region will have 12 one-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units set aside for DDS-eligible residents, Shannon said. Official applications will be accepted beginning June 2025; placements will be coordinated through each applicant's placement resource allocation team (PRAT).

Shannon also updated the council on a separate procurement: the West Region posted an RFP on April 7 for 10 CLA group homes (three per region plus one centrally located). The region held a proposers' conference on April 14 and expects proposals by June 13; selection committees will review submissions and forward recommendations to the commissioner. If awarded, providers must identify properties and complete development work, which council staff warned could be delayed by the current property market.

Staffing shortages and capacity constraints were a recurring theme. Shannon said the region currently lists about 30 emergency cases that need placement but cannot be filled because of limited vacancies and workforce shortages. The council discussed how hospitals press for discharges while providers and DDS search for placements and interim options; staff described using resource teams (including private-contracted crisis-response teams and in-home supports) and short-term respite to stabilize families while longer-term placements are sought.

Shannon noted the region absorbed two public programs (Northwest Regional Center and Lower Fairfield Center) and remains in a partial hiring freeze focusing on seasonal and direct-care positions; several budget lines (even for maintenance and supplies) are under scrutiny. The group also discussed outreach plans to market the Cheshire project, suggesting social media, parent Facebook groups, day program contacts, local town special-needs committees and newsletters, and on-site outreach at community events.

Council members and staff flagged broader policy concerns, including a pending state legislative discussion (House Bill 6487) on cost analyses between public and private programs and the continuing caregiver/staffing crisis affecting transitions from school and hospital settings. Shannon said the region will circulate flyers and sign-up sheets for outreach events and will share the RFP timeline with council members and providers.","Department of Developmental Services staff described a new supported-housing project in Cheshire with Southington ARC (applications begin June 2025), an open RFP for 10 CLA group homes with proposals due June 13, and ongoing capacity and staffing challenges that have left about 30 emergency cases awaiting placement.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6574575,"Advisory council hears overview of ABLE Now savings accounts for people with disabilities",355,109000,464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3069747-22e95e429db8fc25e677f340f6e70c04&start=109&end=464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3069747-22e95e429db8fc25e677f340f6e70c04/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6574575/Connecticut/Advisory-council-hears-overview-of-ABLE-Now-savings-accounts-for-people-with-disabilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574575-8a1d9d19676d778aad5b6e0d66210674/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998385&Signature=SD2emn3PMPGaD3GCqdCdombwWuHAXJh1NG-8YWvWQkcaJafwMMgu1QWDMqbhoxh3b7i1VgeIrsuV6Zm2UN2asr72Pt-2MT756rVCR-qPj3H5eQ2GFWJ3Af6q-RtL4QKOXy~dqXN1Wp8Z~dMvC7QglVuiWQ8lU4mYK7Ln-cdZ9QMps-33vFawJ9b3Ndb5VlbwsBYtrVDdDPbEF~BHscyU0OUZ3hJsHpMV0HZFeUhehGoG13udYMgxucUXKQVZag9GZBuwt4G4YpoPZPEV5LWMBHLTHVNUr0fv7WRIekiT-4SbZS2nHNrk3feFHRaPSx-PALf46sz8-2Y8Ia3V9UKCvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Yvonne Pentaha, Department of Developmental Services staff, gave advisory council members a basic briefing on ABLE Now, a federal program that lets people with disabilities save in tax-advantaged accounts without automatically jeopardizing public benefits.

ABLE Now is the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience Act program. \"ABLE Now is the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, which is a tax advantage savings program for individuals with disabilities,\" Pentaha told the council, and she said the accounts \"allow individuals to save and invest money without it impacting their state and federal benefits.\" She described eligibility generally as for people whose disability began before age 26 (noting states vary), tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified disability expenses, and a typical account balance threshold of $100,000 that can affect SSI eligibility.

Council members asked several operational and policy questions. A member asked whether states can waive the Medicaid payback (clawback) provision; Pentaha said the payback applies in Connecticut and that states differ in practice. Council members also asked whether an ABLE account can name a beneficiary and how leftover funds are handled; Pentaha said there is an option to list a beneficiary and that results can vary by state and case.

Pentaha reviewed contribution rules and plan differences: annual contribution limits recently cited at $19,000, an \"ABLE to Work\" higher amount for employed account owners, the ability for family members or trusts to contribute, and that plans vary by investment options, fees and whether a debit-card feature is offered. She advised checking each state's plan for fees and services and offered to share links and the National ABLE Clearinghouse as resources.

Council members and presenters cautioned that ABLE accounts affect assets (not income for Medicaid eligibility) and that details such as state payback enforcement, residency rules and transfer fees differ across plans. Members shared practical experience: one member recommended using an ABLE account as a conduit for spending rather than leaving very large balances because of potential state payback on death; another noted some states will not pursue small balances and some states limit accounts to residents.

Pentaha closed by offering to share her presentation materials and a web link with the council. The briefing prompted interest in a fuller session with ABLE plan representatives to address finer technical questions the council raised.","Department of Developmental Services staff presented ABLE Now, a federal tax-advantaged savings program for people with disabilities, explaining eligibility, contribution limits, how accounts affect Medicaid and SSI, and state payback rules; council members asked about waivers, beneficiaries and plan fees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves minutes and adjourns meeting

DDS West Region previews Cheshire supported-housing project and RFP for group homes amid staffing shortfalls and 30 emergency placements

Advisory council hears overview of ABLE Now savings accounts for people with disabilities