Rich,
That is great news about the 15 counties however when we mention this issue in Lucas the response is..."well there is free choice of provider."

We've got work to do here!

Michael

Michael M. Malone
Executive Director
Josina Lott Residential & Community Services
(419) 866 - 9013 ext. 105
mmalone@josinalott.org

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MISSION STATEMENT

Enriching the lives of persons with developmental disabilities by providing
quality services, safe environments and opportunities for self-determination and community integration.

-----Original Message-----
From: list-manager@opra.simplelists.com [mailto:list-manager@opra.simplelists.com] On Behalf Of Rich Johnson
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 6:55 AM
To: opra_board@opra.simplelists.com
Subject: RE: OPRA Legislative & Policy Update - 02/05/2014

Jeff -

I have spoken to at least 15 counties boards in the past six months and their number one complaint is the sheer number of providers, how easy it is to become a provider, and the increasing unethical "bribing" and "coercion" of individuals to choose an agency.  They feel that at one time they had a say in who could become a provider and now it is statewide and anyone who wants to can provide services. They feel it is out of control. I know they would be in support of this idea and imagine how refreshing it would look to the public at large for a provider agency to suggest tougher standards.

Rich Johnson
President/CEO
ViaQuest, Inc.
525 Metro Place N, Suite 300
Dublin, OH 43017
Phone: 614.339.0813
Assistant (Lindsey):  614.339.0820
Fax: 614.339.1813

-----Original Message-----
From: list-manager@opra.simplelists.com [mailto:list-manager@opra.simplelists.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Davis
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 6:36 AM
To: <opra_board@opra.simplelists.com>
Subject: Re: OPRA Legislative & Policy Update - 02/05/2014

Interestingly I wonder if the county boards might not like something like that as well. I agree that we should brand ourselves as a quality organization.

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 6, 2014, at 10:42 PM, "Jamie Steele" <jamie.steele@ovrs.org> wrote:

> Amen Rich.  I trust that Jeff will carry this message forward and advocate on behalf of all us.  I am one who is very grateful that we have a such a talented professional such as Jeff representing us with these matters.  I trust in his leadership....until I don't:)  Seriously, we have the best people representing us and for this I am grateful.   I trust in his advocacy on behalf of all OPRA members and those that receive this advocacy for free..to whom I would love to talk to you.
>
> Jamie
>
> On Feb 6, 2014, at 10:06 PM, Rich Johnson <Rich.Johnson@ViaQuestInc.com<mailto:Rich.Johnson@ViaQuestInc.com>> wrote:
>
> Jeff -
>
> I know you have received a lot of impassioned remarks about the proposed S.B. 270. I have some thoughts to share but thought it best to keep it amongst board members for strategic reasons. I personally believe this legislation may have been crafted with the best intentions but could set a very dangerous course for providers. In addition to the concerns that have already been raised I believe the following issues are equally problematic:
>
>
>  *   It has been well documented since the beginning of time that the media is only interested in sensationalism and will distort data for their own agenda. To avoid boring you with multiple examples I will use the example of agency size. If the statewide average  of issued citations is 10% per agency and agency A serves 1,000 individuals and receives 50 citations, or 5%, and provider B serves 20 people and receives 10 citations, or 50%, the general public will believe that provider A is a bad provider based upon the sheer number of citations, when in fact they beat statewide averages. Meanwhile provider B is largely ignored when they could represent a greater threat to health and safety of individuals served. Reporting raw numbers without explanation is very dangerous.
>  *   This bill will make providers think twice about serving behaviorally challenged people because the probability of receiving more citations increases considerably serving people with unpredictable behaviors.
>  *   This bill could have unintended consequences where providers could contemplate not reporting issues, hiding information, falsifying documents, etc. (this is all of the other providers...not OPRA members)
>  *   Finally,  Independent providers skate once again because there are so many of them and admittedly, no one polices them.
>
>
> With this being said, I know that you are on top of this bill and will fight for our rights just like you always do and will work tirelessly to mitigate a negative result.  Now, the real reason for my e-mail.
>
> IS THERE A WAY TO TURN THIS LEGISLATION INTO A STRATEGIC AND BRAND ADVANTAGE FOR OPRA?
>
> The problem with our system is that anyone with a pulse can become a provider and our system is flooded with providers who should never have been granted certification...especially Independent Providers. What if OPRA proposes an amendment to this bill that makes the requirements to become an agency provider as well as independent provider much more difficult? This would be a groundbreaking move that would put OPRA front and center fighting for quality services, while dealing with the issue of too many providers on our system. Among other things, we would propose that no one is grandfathered in and everyone has to be recertified, which would be no problem for OPRA members.
>
> I really believe this could be a great opportunity to do something
> groundbreaking!! Thanks Jeff
>
>
>
>
>
> Rich Johnson
> President/CEO
> ViaQuest, Inc.
> 525 Metro Place N, Suite 300
> Dublin, OH 43017
> Phone: 614.339.0813
> Assistant (Lindsey):  614.339.0820
> Fax: 614.339.1813
> <image001.jpg><http://www.viaquestinc.com/><image002.png><http://www.f
> acebook.com/ViaQuest><image003.png><http://twitter.com/viaquest><image
> 004.jpg><http://www.linkedin.com/company/86294>
>
>
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You are receiving this important information as a member service of the Ohio Provider Resource Association.  Unless messages and/or replies are specifically directed, each posting/response is sent to the entire group.  This group is open only to members of the OPRA Board of Directors.  The views of individual list serve users do not necessarily reflect the view of the entire OPRA Board or of the OPRA Staff.  To send a message to this list serve, please use the reply button.  To reply only to the original sender, please respond to the email listed after �on behalf of� in the FROM line of the message header.  Thank you.

This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, and disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
You are receiving this important information as a member service of the Ohio Provider Resource Association.  Unless messages and/or replies are specifically directed, each posting/response is sent to the entire group.  This group is open only to members of the OPRA Board of Directors.  The views of individual list serve users do not necessarily reflect the view of the entire OPRA Board or of the OPRA Staff.  To send a message to this list serve, please use the reply button.  To reply only to the original sender, please respond to the email listed after �on behalf of� in the FROM line of the message header.  Thank you.