Fix the List: Waiver Waiting List

Have you heard that the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) is going to FIX the Waiver Waiting List?

That’s right.  The Waiting List for people with developmental disabilities isn’t efficient and doesn’t work.  So individuals with disabilities, their families, and advocates worked with the state to create a new system.

Starting September 1, 2018, DODD is changing how the List works.  Moving forward, it will only be used for people with IMMEDIATE or CURRENT needs.  To be on the Waiting List, a person must NOW have:

  • An IMMEDIATE need:  A pressing or emergency need for care, shelter, etc. that must be addressed within 30 days
  • A CURRENT need:  An important need that should be addressed within the next 12 months

How will I know if I qualify for the List?

DODD has created an assessment tool that County Boards will use to determine whether or not a person’s needs meet the IMMEDIATE or CURRENT criteria.  County Board staff must speak with the person receiving services AND their guardians to discuss their needs, and will call the person and/or their advocate to set up an appointment at a date and time that’s convenient.  It’s important that each person receiving services make time to meet with the County Board representative, as this will be their opportunity to share what their needs are.  Once the assessment is complete, a County Board staff will inform you of the outcome.

If a person’s current needs can be met through other resources, they will not be placed on the List.  

It’s important to understand that if you don’t have an immediate or current need, you DON’T want to be placed on the Waiting List.  Nor does it mean that you won’t be able to get services in the future.  Should a person’s needs change, all they need to do is call their Service and Support Administrator (SSA) or a County Board staff member, and that representative will complete another assessment with them.

Individuals who do NOT meet with County Board staff to discuss their needs will not be included on the new Waiting List. Those who disagree with the outcome of the state assessment tool will be able to file a formal complaint and have their assessment reconsidered.   

Timeline

Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities staff are currently being trained on how to use the assessment tool, and will need to conduct assessments on about 1,500 people.  The Board has until the end of 2020 to complete these interviews.

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