ODMRDD Director's Open Letter to Families & Self-Advocates

In this letter to Ohio families and self-advocates, Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (ODMRDD), Director John L. Martin, explained the departments position on county board contracts with service providers. The ODMRDD and county boards recently came to an agreement about contracting responsibilities and payment for services that will conform to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements.

He affirmed the goal of consumer choice of providers, as mandated by CMS, and pointed out that county board contracts could restrict consumer service provider choices. He said that county boards will develop a health and safety plan that will be implemented by board staff in the targeted case management program. the board will monitor the plan to ensure consumer health and safety. Each board will also be authorized to investigate reports of unsafe situations.