Date: February 14, 2018
To: All OAAS Members, PSG Members, and All Disability Service and Support Organizations
Date: Leadership of OAAS & PSG
Subject: A United Voice for Adult Service Providers
In response to ongoing discussions about uniting PSG and OAAS for a stronger, more unified voice, a collaborative workgroup has been formed. Our goal is to provide our members with an effective,
proactive voice in decisions that are being made at the state and federal levels.
The focus of our workgroup is to discuss the current relationship between OAAS and PSG and options to consider for the future. One of the options includes assessing the needs and interests of OAAS and PSG and possible areas of alignment with OPRA (Ohio Provider
Resource Association). We thought it important to share with our membership organizations the urgent need for OAAS and PSG to combine expertise and efforts, and that we have initiated some exploratory conversations with OPRA.
As we all know, more and more members of OAAS and PSG have either fully privatized or are well on track for privatization in the near future. Many members of OAAS are also active members of PSG and vice versa, recognizing the significant value in being involved
in both organizations. As the evolution continues with county boards getting out of the provider business, we see more alignment and commonality between our two associations than ever before.
In looking at current issues and to the future, it is clear that we need to continue to have positive relationships with our respective county boards and the Ohio Association of County Boards (OACB). However, it is apparent we now have our own set of very
distinct issues, needs and concerns. Recent and future rule changes, privatization, funding stagnation, recruitment and retention of DSP’s, unfunded additional requirements from multiple state agencies are among a number of important issues that impact our
organizations and the individuals we serve.
Having the influence we need as provider organizations requires resources and people dedicated to advocating on our behalf. We appreciate the many members who have given of their time and shared their knowledge freely. We recognize, however, that we (OAAS
& PSG) have a resource gap in terms of time and people needed to conduct research, lobby legislators, and access resources to meet identified needs of our members.
As some of you may be aware, OPRA is an established organization and has much of the infrastructure and resources in place to support the activities needed to influence at all levels. Likewise, OAAS and PSG could bring our combined expertise in adult services
to OPRA. We began to ask the question would OAAS, PSG and OPRA represent a robust group sharing a common purpose that could, as one voice, affect change and promote best practices throughout the State of Ohio.
To this end, we are having some very preliminary conversations with OPRA. As these conversations move forward, we anticipate many options for consideration should it be determined that there is value and opportunity for OAAS, PSG and OPRA to form a relationship.
We will keep you posted as our discussions continue. At this point, it is important to note that nothing about the organizational structure of OAAS and PSG is changing. If you have any questions or comments that you would like to share, please do not hesitate
to contact any of the OAAS board regional representatives or the leadership of PSG.
Best regards,
Anne Haning, OAAS Van Viney, PSG
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