SPRING 2013

Red River

Human

Services FOUNDATION FOOTNOTES

Special Interest

Articles:

• Complicated Math

– A New Payment

System (1)

• More Than

Supporting

People (2)

• Dale Carnegie

Graduate (4)

Individual

Highlights:

2

nd Annual Golf

Tournament 3 Training Levels 4 Just for Fun 5

Congratulations 6

A United Way Agency

Complicated Math – A New Payment System

Spring has finally sprung and most of the snow is nearly gone. The long anticipated flood appears to be a thing of the past with little damage up and down the valley. These changes are very positive to see. Like the changing of seasons from winter to spring, many changes are impacting RRHSF. Some of these changes include:

1. A new payment/assessment system 2. The building of a new Intermediate Care Facility 3. Legislative actions 4. A recent survey by the Council on Quality & Leadership (CQL)

I was reviewing these topics and trying to decide which one I would address. Each one is very significant and could take up a large portion of the newsletter. In the end, I decided to focus on the new payment system and touch quickly on the remaining ones. New Payment & Assessment System: During the 2011-2013 Legislative sessions, Senate Bill 2043 was passed and signed into law. This Bill requires the development of a new payment system using the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) as a tool to measure a person’s needs. In August of 2011, a Steering Committee was assembled to start the long process of building a new payment system. A consultant was hired, JGVA from Texas, along with a SIS consultant, the Rushmore Group from South Dakota. During the next 21 months, many meetings have occurred and many details have been worked out. The concern is there appears to be many winners and losers. Based on an April 3, 2013 Universal Budget Impact analysis, there are 16 providers that will lose money and 13 providers who will gain. The greatest gain is $2.5 million and the biggest loss is $1.6 million. At RRHSF, we stand to lose roughly $720,000 if nothing changes. I believe that these numbers will change and the gains and losses will be minimized so services will not be interrupted. The new payment system is set to take effect on July 1, 2014, but this may not be possible for a number of reasons. First, Senate Bill 2043 requires the State to have the new Medicaid Management Information System in place. In essence, this is the State computer system and it may not be ready on July 1, 2014. Second, the impact of the SIS assessments is unknown at this point. This means the true fiscal impact of the new payment system will not be known until every person receiving services in the state has been assessed and has a SIS score assigned to them. Once this data is known, then the new rate is simply multiplied times the number of staff hours as determined by the SIS. This information is critical and will allow for a greater informed decision than without this information. Once the SIS scores are known, they will be entered into Therap which is a software package used by every provider across the State and in the future, will have a billing component added to it so we are paid for our services. The State is working with Therap to ensure a smooth transition is this area too. New ICF: RRHSF has purchased land in “The Wild at West Port” in West Fargo. It’s just off of 47th Avenue South. We hope to break ground sometime in June. Once a date is set, we will announce a date for a groundbreaking ceremony. Legislative Actions: The legislature completed their work for the 2013-2015 Biennium on May 3rd, the 80th legislative day which is the longest permitted by law. Many of their actions impacted the services at RRHSF. First is a wage increase of $1.00 per hour for the first year of the Biennium along with 3% annual inflators. In addition, $300,000 was requested for the Activity Center in Fargo and LISTEN in Grand Forks, but unfortunately these funds were not appropriated. ~Continued on page 2.

FOUNDATION FOOTNOTES Page 2 of 6

MORE THAN SUPPORTING PEOPLE!

This spring, the Employee Safety

Committee recognized two DSP’s for

“extraordinary measures taken by

staff to provide excellent support”

award. Dale Walker and Kayla Rovig

were recognized for their immediate

response to serious events. Their life

saving actions and procedures

assisting people supported during an

emergency.

All DSP’s are trained in these

situations through our training

program. These staff were recognized

and presented with a gift card for

their hard work and dedication.

Congratulations and Thank you!!

DON’T BE HASTY, THINK SAFETY!

Pictured above: Left to Right

Megan Johnson, Heidi Bengtson, Faith Davids,

Stacy Neuman (Safety Committee Members) & Dale Walker,

FT Float

Pictured below: Left to Right

Stacy Neuman (Safety Committee), Kayla Rovig, DSP,

and Mark Knudsen (Safety Committee)

Continued from page 1.

Recent CQL survey: On April 5, 2013, RRHSF had an 18 month follow-up telephone conference with CQL. CQL is an independent agency that looks at the quality of our services and makes recommendations for improvements. Based on this conference call, “RRHSF has strong systems in place to monitor Basic Assurances. The experience and value base of the organization are reflected in the depth and understanding of the data collected to monitor the presence of the Basic Assurances.” In addition, CQL stated in their report, “CQL is proud to be associated with RRHSF and looks forward to continuing our partnership along the journey. CQL Person-centered Excellence Accreditation is a four-year term and is awarded to organizations meeting a set of stringent criteria. Continued Accreditation is recommended.” Many changes are occurring & I want to thank both the staff and the Board for their continued commitment to the people we support.

~TOM NEWBERGER, CEO~

FOUNDATION FOOTNOTES Page 3 of 6

2nd Annual RRHSF Golf Tournament

Benefitting Red River Human Services Foundation

When: Friday - June 28, 2013

(Please Register by June 14)

10:00 AM shotgun start

$80/Golfer

Raindate: July 12, 2013

Where: Maple River Golf Course

3666 163rd Ave. SE, Mapleton, ND

701-282-5415

For registration or more information go to

www.rrhsf.org

Golfer’s Gold

Bring a household item to donate to

Repeat Boutique in Fargo and start your

score at

–1!

FOUNDATION FOOTNOTES Page 4 of 6

Training Information

Training levels completed! Congratulations!

LEVEL II Courtney Rossow Karissa Lozinski LEVEL III Abbie Groth Brooke Ward Scott Kompelien Oriana Peterson Raeanne Wolfswinkel Buffy Holbrook Lucinda Messerschmidt Jennifer Hanten Bethany Grant Nyomi Parisien Jodi-Lynn Kostuck Deanna Schreiber-Greg Theresa Martinez Courtney King Courtney Moe Christina Hawley Michael Robasse Sara Lane Lacey Gebro Sydney Cote Cindy Roers Nicole Ortiz Ami Book Teresa Stockford Bethene Monday Mary Kelly Natasha Achter Samantha Stein Carrie Kast Tricia Bastian Ashley Fremder Katie Schwinden Katie Kottenbrock Kelly McWaters Kimberly Walker

Jennifer Dotzenrod (L) with her supervisor, Kayla Braun (R)

DALE CARNEGIE

GRADUATE

Jennifer Dotzenrod, ISLA Assistant Coordinator in Wahpeton, is a recent graduate from the Dale Carnegie course. Jen was presented with the Breakthrough Award at her graduation ceremony. The Breakthrough Award recognizes the person who made the most progress during the course. RRHSF have had a number of staff to complete the Dale Carnegie course. Dale Carnegie trains people with skills to increase self confidence, leadership, communication, and people skills. Congratulations Jen!

FOUNDATION FOOTNOTES Page 5 of 6

Just for Fun!

Our very own, Blake Peterson, Psychologist, protesting the long winter on his own patio.

Celebrate Spring! It’s on the way!

Sean Graves, along with his wife, Laurie, daughter,

Makayla (9 in July), and son, Matthew (4 in June)

have recently joined the RRHSF family. Sean is the

newest member of the accounting team working in

the payroll department. Sean’s family also has 3

dogs; Jersey, Ella, and Nevaeh (heaven spelt

backwards).

Sean is from Apple Valley, MN. He started college at

St. Cloud State, and transferred to MSUM to be

closer to wife and daughter at the time and graduate

from there in 2009 with a degree in Accounting.

His hobbies are hockey, football, baseball, fishing,

movies and enjoying the lake during summer

Interesting fact about Sean is that he has a movie

collection of over 2,000 movies. Family and friends

like to think of his house as the local rental store.

Sean and his family at Disney World

CONGRATULATIONS!

LISA KREMER, Fargo ISLA Case Manager had a baby girl on November

17, 2012. CLARE ELISE weighed 7 lbs & 16 oz.

ALLISA ARNDT, Fargo ISLA Case Manager, had a baby girl on December

7th, 2012. JULIA ANNE weighed 7 lbs 7 oz...

ERIKA GOMEZ, Assistant Financial Director, had a baby boy on January,

3, 2013. BECKETT RYAN weighed 7 lbs 1 oz..

MIKE AND LYDIA ROBASSE, both DSP’s at SVEE had a baby girl on

April 21, 2013. HAILEY GRACE weighed 8 lbs 15 oz.

September 18th. Laura is the Office Manager in Wahpeton.

Gary & Shelley Eichhorn welcomes their 1st grandchild to their family. Tristan Michael

was born on December 8th. Gary is the Building Engineer and Shelley is a Day Support

Supervisor in Wahpeton.

Red River Human

Services Foundation

Main Office 2506 35

th Ave S

Fargo ND 58104 701-235-0971 Day Service Facility 701 South 6

th Street

Wahpeton ND 58075 701-642-2442

Svee Home Office 1689 6

th St. W.

West Fargo, ND 58078

701-478-3111 Svee ISLA/SLA/FSS

and Activity Center 1104 2nd Ave S Fargo ND 58103 701-237-6365 (ISLA)

701-235-2444 (AC)

E-mail us! fargo@rrhsf.org

(general)

wkahler@rrhsf.org

(editor)

Board of Directors Deanna Bakken, Chair

Rep. Richard Holman, Vice Chair Roger Richels,,Treasurer

Marlys Hoeft, Secretary Margaret Mowery

Jeanette Plummer Stephen Dawson

Brian Ingulsrud Steve Skauge Alice Haugen

James Roe

Chief Executive Officer Thomas R. Newberger, CPA

We are dedicated to affirming human worth, rights, and dignity by providing services

to people with disabilities which enhance the quality of their lives, and enable

them to live, work, and develop relationships within their communities.

$$ FINDERS FEE!! $$

Raeanne Wolfswinkel for referring James Crandall

James Crandall for referring Dallas Crandall.

Heidi Bengtson for referring Amanda Milbrandt.

Erin Krog for referring Ashley Anderson.

Deanna Angstmann for referring Bonny Morris.

Beth Monday & Kayla Rovig for referring Buffy Holbrook.

Kim Walker for referring Dale Walker.

Beth Monday for referring Stacy Joseph.

Ricky Holbrook for referring Kelsie Holbrook.

Cindy Roers & Stacy Neuman for referring Debra Stengrim.

James Crandell for referring Taylor Crandell.

Kelsie Holbrook for referring Muriah Olson Kayla Rovig for referring Lauren Berndt.

Nick Prchal for referring Alex Hovde..

Nick Prchal/Sara Poppel for referring Kris Rinnals.

Employees receive $50 for each referral hired and employed after 6 months.

$$ $$