Chief Patron: Barker
NVTC Diversion Pilot Project (language only)

Item 314 #1s

Language
Page 221, after line 10, insert:
"E.  The Commissioner, in cooperation with the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards in Northern Virginia shall work cooperatively with the Northern Virginia Training Center (NVTC) to utilize the Medicaid waiver program and any other resources available to provide services in the community where appropriate to individuals who otherwise might need to be admitted to NVTC.  There shall be a determination, except for those seeking respite care, of whether each individual who otherwise might be admitted to NVTC can be served appropriately in the community, with the understanding that individuals may be admitted to NVTC if there are not appropriate services available in the community.  Any judicial certification of eligibility for new admission to NVTC shall be for a period of no more than 365 days, with the opportunity for recertification if there still are no appropriate services available in the community.  Any savings achieved at NVTC in excess of those already included in the budget, which reduces the number of beds by six, shall be reappropriated for additional waiver slots in Northern Virginia.  This initiative shall have no effect on the status of individuals currently residing at NVTC.  The Commissioner shall report outcomes data on this project to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees on November 30 each year.

Explanation
(This language amendment establishes a pilot project to divert individuals from placement in Northern Virginia Training Center in cooperation with community services boards.)