On March 4, 2019, Ohio Family to Family, along with Ohio Waiver Nursing Coalition members, met with the new administration at the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).
The meeting was educational and positive. They invited us back in April to work on some of our recommendations for supporting families.
Families joined in an open table discussion to share their amazing stories, ideas, and concerns. Kim Musgrave, mom and advocate stated, “As many of us parents have been facing the stress of nursing denials for our children who need the level of care only a nurse can provide, I have been privileged to be part of the Ohio Waiver Nursing Coalition that has been meeting with the state in hopes that they will work with us to help families. I think the new administration could help families with loved ones in need of nursing if they work toward implementing some of our coalition suggestions, such as focusing on making nursing delegation a choice instead of a requirement. We also believe that adding a face-to-face assessment before nursing services are denied should be required. I am hopeful that Jeff Davis, the new director of DODD, and his administration will find a way to help families and stop these nursing denials.”
David Lewis stated, “The Arc of Ohio appreciates the willingness of the new administration to work together with Individuals, Family members, and stakeholders regarding the concerns around nursing and skilled care of individuals in our community. While we appreciate their willingness to listen to our concerns, we remain committed to substantial change for individuals and families with a priority on input from the Individual, and parent/family member regarding this care.”
Ohio Family to Family hopes to open up discussions with the Ohio Department of Medicaid in the coming weeks as well.