Dear Members,

We appreciate those who have voiced their thoughts on the important
issues of our times. OPRA has a 40-year history of engaging in
challenging conversations. These conversations test our mettle as a
trade association and challenge our personal assumptions and beliefs –
some held lifelong.

We all need to be very clear. We have entered a time of great change.
Our system as it is currently configured is unsustainable. In Ohio, we
have direct care wages below poverty, DSP turnover at 47%, a waiting
list of 42,000, structurally flawed reimbursement systems, misaligned
incentives (focused on activities and not outcomes) and much pressure
from external forces to change.

The new CMS regs on HCBS waivers, the US Department of Justice Olmstead
actions, the Department of Labor elimination of the companionship
exemption and declaration that independent contracts in self-directed
waivers may be employees of the state, the demands of the Disability
Rights Organization, the major reform of the DD system coming in the
next Ohio biennium budget and the expansion of managed care in long term
services and supports – to name a few – all portend great change.

Along with our system partners, OPRA will continue to be at the
forefront of leading change, change that will impact the lives of
generations to come. We need to be able to continue to have respectful,
meaningful and impactful conversations. Our time-tested ability to share
our opinions with each other, to acknowledge
disagreement, to come to a position that best represents our values and
to advocate outside of the OPRA family for those value-based positions
together has been one of our greatest strengths. Remember “WE are OPRA”.

Our list serves are one forum for difficult discussions, and we
encourage folks to continue to be honest, passionate and direct with
these discussions.

As a member, there are several ways for you to participate and
communicate: list serves, OPRA committees, emails to OPRA staff, work
groups, webinars/trainings and surveys. It is through this active dialog
that we all gain a better understanding of the issues and enables OPRA
is to lead the discussion “outside of the OPRA family” with other
stakeholders.

OPRA will continue to be the trusted voice for providers serving Ohioans
with disabilities. We will continue to advocate for what we value and
what’s in the best interest of our ultimate customer – Ohioans with
disabilities. Our goal is to enable Ohioans with disabilities to have
the same opportunities at life that we all have. Together, we will make
a difference.  Together, we will change our system for future decades.

Thank you,

Janice K. Hall
Chair, OPRA Board