2014 -- H 8047

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LC005402

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL

HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS TO PROMOTE

THE KINSHIP CARE POLICY OF THE SHARED LIVING ARRANGEMENTS PROGRAM

FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SUBSIDY AID TO ELIGIBLE SIBLING

CAREGIVERS, IN ORDER TO AVOID ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT WHEN KINSHIP

CARE IS FOUND TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF INDIVIDUALS WITH

INTELLECTUAL/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, McNamara, Ferri, Hull, and Abney

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, For the first time in history, millions of people with intellectual and/or

developmental disabilities are aging in the community. This success brings with it new

challenges; and

     WHEREAS, According to the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental

Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), there are over 1,400 adults in Rhode Island with

intellectual/developmental disabilities living with elderly parents or other family members; and

     WHEREAS, A portion of these individuals are currently eligible to move out of the

family home and into the home of a sibling when their parents are no longer able to provide the

care needed, thereby keeping the family intact and the individual living with people who know

them best; and

     WHEREAS, This arrangement helps ease the loss of a parent and caregiver by

minimizing the fear and uncertainty that can accompany a disruptive move into the home of a

stranger; and

     WHEREAS, This arrangement is known as Kinship Care, and is provided for under the

BHDDH Kinship Care Policy as revised on 09/10/12, "To allow individuals supported by

BHDDH the option of choosing a non-legally responsible qualified family member to assist in

providing care and supports in the community utilizing the Shared Living Arrangements program

(SLA)"; and

     WHEREAS, Eligibility conditions require that the sibling being considered as the care

provider for the SLA program must be reviewed by BHDDH and found eligible in accordance

with the Eligibility Policy for Residential Services; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, all SLA providers (including the sibling care-givers) must be

compliant with the SLA program requirements as noted in the Rule and Regulations for Licensing

Agencies Providing Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, The Kinship Care Policy provides needed financial assistance or subsidy aid

to the program-qualified and compliant sibling caregiver for taking an eligible sibling into his or

her home and providing approved care; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby finds that the BHDDH SLA Kinship Care Policy regarding sibling care

promotes the general welfare of the citizens of the state and furthers the purpose of providing

cost-effective and most appropriate care for individuals with intellectual/developmental

disabilities; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby respectfully encourages the

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals to promote the

Kinship Care Policy of the Shared Living Arrangements Program for the purpose of providing

subsidy aid to eligible sibling caregivers, to avoid alternative placement when Kinship Care is

found to be in the best interests of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby respectfully requests that the Secretary

of the Department of Health and Human Services provides the General Assembly with a fiscal

note within 120 days of the passage of this resolution; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Department of Behavioral

Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), and the Secretary of the

Department of Health and Human Services.

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LC005402

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