• Supportive of conference: key is transparency and integrity
• Trying to be flexible with travel but it is limited
• Appreciate high quality work from DDS
• High production at this time, realize it is from increased staff in ’09 and ’10
• Lost 1,500 disability examiners nationwide in 2011 and on pace to lose another 1,500.
• 4 states got permission to hire (200 total, backfilling critical needs first then examiners)
• SSA recognizes the attrition will hurt us in the future and level of service may go down
• May continue to get more overtime
• Current national processing time 102.9 days was 109.5 FY11, predicting 130 days for FY13-current processing time production due to previous hiring
• Receipts are trailing off, 6% below in receipts compared to what actuaries predicted
• Continued decreases in budget
• SSA focusing on e-services, representatives will soon be mandated to submit appeals on-line
• Program integrity is still a key focus (CDRs and CDIU)
• Discussions on the Hill about definition of disability
• Plan to consolidate some FOs due to budget issues
• Although CDR goal decreased it is still 32% higher than last year
• Alabama piloting background checks at DDS
• Military Casualty expansion to all vets
• NVF separate from DCPS, will be piloted in Main, may be rolled out prior to DCPS.
• WISP: work incentives (simplification? Policy?) Trying to get bill passed for TII, simplify the work incentives, closer to TXVI with $1 reduction for $2 earned.

Art Spencer, Associate Commissioner of ODP
Sheila Everett, soon at OMVI
• RPCs averaging 50/50 for DDS/OQP
• Recent OIG report on RPCs very positive
• Expected to complete all NPRMS on listing by end of FY12, as long as there are not political issues. Mental listings held off (political)
• E-authorizations: 18 months spent on outreach to AMA, APA, local practices, hospitals, state medical boards and privacy advocates
• 4/21 1st party adult filers who file on the internet will be able to sign electronically (10% of workload)
• No state laws more restrictive than HIPPA
• ECAT will be used in DCPS however it may be a different name or just part of the integrated system. Beta release of DCPS, ecat will be a stand alone.
• Age 18 Redets next for eCAT
• EBB: Electronic Bencbook: ALJ version of eCAT coming: looking to address onset, DLIs, etc. with pathing.
• Just released POMS to allow DDS to make decisions about SGA when obvious it is below SGA
• No tests for symptom validity (malingering) no MMPIs
• MC/PC policy feedback: going to each region, current initiative to improve feedback, tailoring to consultants. Based on feedback from RPCs and virtual reviews
• DIGER: Disability Information Gateway Electronic Research Tool: will centralize research/policy guides and links.
• HIT: moving to evidence as data: 9 DDS’s, soon Kaiser Permanent in San Diego, next VA/DOD
• PFS, Policy Feedback System: Look at things that don’t make sense (trends) limited access due to level of records. Currently looking for particular cases in ODAR backlog to pull for remands (schizophrenia, neoplastic longevity denials)

Also heard from Terry Jones, Washington DC DDS director on behalf on NCDDD
Feedback from NCDD was that they are supportive of NADE and their main concerns are adequate funding and staffing levels to complete our work.

• We need volunteers to help sort clothes from the clothing drive. If you are available during lunch time on Thursday, March 28, 2012, please contact Michelle Cunningham.
• We need volunteers to help with the Easter Eggs for Easter Seals fundraiser. The fundraiser runs from April 3rd through 5th and will be in the lunch room from 11am-1pm. If you can help please contact Sharyn Perry.
• We need help with ideas for this year’s National Disability Professional’s Week. If you have any ideas or would like to help out, please contact Sarah Beth Farmer. NDPW runs from June 11th through June 15th this year.
• Our next social Mixer is scheduled for April 12th. If you have any ideas or suggestions for this Mixer, please let Sarah Beth Farmer know.
• Everyone loves a bake sale! OADE is sponsoring a bake sale for our fundraising efforts for the Race for the Cure. The bake sale will be on April 17th, from 8:30 AM until 12:00 PM, or until everything sells out. We will also be signing people up for dress down days for the month of May. If you can volunteer to bake or to work the sale, please contact Michelle Cunningham.

OADE and DDD are partnering to collect new and gently used women’s and men’s clothing for two central Ohio charities, Dress for Success Columbus and Faith Mission.

For the ladies…
New or nearly-new (cleaned) women’s clothes will be donated to Dress for Success Columbus, which will provide the garments to underprivileged women who are preparing themselves for the workplace. Here is a wish list:
Skirt and pant suits
Blouses
Blazers and jackets
Professional shoes
New hosiery
New cosmetics
Scrubs
These clothing items should be coordinated, contemporary and interview-appropriate. They are particularly in need of larger-size suits and apparel.

For the men…
Faith Mission can use any gently-used men’s clothing donations. We are also asking friends to provide some of these “greatly needed” items from the organization’s wish list:
Socks, underwear (all sizes) *new only
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Soap
Deodorant
Dish Cloths
Bath towels
Wash cloths
Plastic utensils
If you have any questions about the clothing drive, contact Michelle Cunningham, ext. 1887 or Beth Ruth, ext. 1761.

It’s the dawning of a new year and the start of something really great!

Today your webmaster spent the better part of the day updating the site.  I still have some bugs to work out – mostly dealing with pictures and the fact that SSA blocks social sites where we can download photos – but it’s getting better all the time.

Check out more photos at Flickr.

As always, if you need something posted please send it to one of our website committee members.  Pictures, presentations, and articles ready to be published will be posted speedily.

On 11/30/2010, OADE is putting on a benefit luncheon for the United Methodist Children’s Home.  Please bring your cash/check/gift donation to the luncheon.

OADE El Acapulco Benefit Luncheon