Sponsor: Social Services
Title
title
Lake Owasso Residence Application for Day Training and Habilitation Services License
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Recommendation
recommendation
None. For information and discussion only.
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Background
background
Lake Owasso Residence (LOR) is a 64-bed federally licensed Intermediate Care Facility that provides residential care to intellectually disabled adults across the adult age spectrum. LOR is also licensed as a Minnesota Statute 245D service provider. The campus has eight residential houses, each providing eight residents with his or her own bedroom. Currently, the census at LOR is 58 residents.
Intermediate Care Facility residents have the right to work and be supported in that endeavor. Placement in Day Training and Habilitation (DT&H) programs is one option to facilitate the right to work; however, obtaining such placement has become more difficult for some residents in recent years. In 2015 LOR began providing Services During the Day (SSD) under its Intermediate Care Facility license for residents unable to obtain or maintain placement in a traditional DT&H. An average of eight residents has been served in the SSD program over the past two years.
The SSD program was expanded to accommodate all LOR residents when DT&H programs closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. As external programs have begun to reopen, some residents are returning to their previous programs. A small number, however, have opted not to return to outside programs due to their age and/or pre-existing health conditions that increase the risk for serious outcomes from COVID-19 should they be exposed and infected.
LOR seeks approval to apply for a DT&H license to serve residents who are unable to find traditional placement and those who choose not to return to a traditional setting for DT&H services. SSD services currently provided under the Intermediate Care Facility license are reimbursed at a rate that is 25% less than similar services provided by a DT&H program. Thus, LOR will be reimbursed at a higher rate for the services already being provided if a DT&H license is approved, and the higher rate would help cover expenditures already incurred operationally in the provision of services. Providing services would not put LOR in conflict or competition with existing DT&H programs.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The current population of residents at LOR is 8.5% African American, 5% Latino,1.5% Indigenous and 85% Caucasian. There is nothing in the proposed action that will negatively impact the cultural communities that generally experience disparities in other Ramsey County services.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The engagement of the residents’ families and loved ones is ongoing and valued as part of the decision-making process. Family members have been involved in conversations about day programming and the need for expanded services at LOR.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
It is anticipated that this action will increase monthly reimbursement for day programming by 25% for each resident served. The number of residents who are served will vary over time.
County Manager Comments
The application to the Minnesota Department of Human Services for a license to provide DT&H services requires County Board approval.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1.Determination of Need Application for Expansion of DT&H Services