by independencenw | Oct 2, 2013 | 2013 changes, faces of independence northwest, grants, provider organizations, providers
Providers, Customer Employers, and Community Members,
As you have likely heard by now, the State of Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) has been moving toward changing the way providers of brokerage services are paid.
Since 2001, brokerages have operated as a fiscal intermediary for our customers and we have been responsible for provision of provider payment. For many years, DHS has shared its intent to update its systemic capabilities and pay providers of brokerage services directly instead. It looked like 2013 would be the year things changed.
In May of 2013, DHS sent out a missive to all Personal Support Workers, which included a copy of a Personal Support Worker Provider Enrollment Application and Agreement. The mailer stated “completion of this document is required for you to be on the State Registry” and that “by signing this agreement the state will issue a provider number which will be necessary for payment on or prior to October 1, 2013.”
However, the state’s payment change efforts have experienced continued delays and as a result of these delays payment will continue through brokerages for the time being. We are being told that January 1st, 2014 is the new target date for when you’ll be paid directly through the State.
Our office has begun receiving multiple calls from providers concerned about their payment and where it will come from as a result of the registry and the October 1st, 2013 deadline. We request two things:
1. Please continue to send your invoices and time sheets to Independence Northwest as you always have. We will follow our regular payment schedules for providers and you should experience no disruption in payment.
2. If you have not yet completed a Provider Enrollment Agreement, we implore you to do so. While we can’t be certain the new January 1st, 2014 date will be met, we know that eventually you *will* receive payment through the DHS payment system and you must be set up in order to avoid delay in payment. It’s imperative you have a provider number assigned to you before being paid. Please take a moment to take care of this important piece of business.
Thank you for your continued partnership, efforts and support of our customer base. And thank you for your patience during the current transition.
*Please note: We were told by state employees that provider organizations who are not already set up in the state’s payment system will receive a provider number via the state’s licensing unit. If you have questions about this, please contact Larry Deal at larry.deal(at)independencenw.org. Thanks.
by independencenw | Apr 4, 2013 | customers, faces of independence northwest
The Faces of Independence Northwest photo project continues with Shelby Brakken’s images of INW customer Emily, taken this week at Portland’s Lloyd Center.
by independencenw | Mar 20, 2013 | customers, faces of independence northwest
Our Faces of Independence Northwest photo project by Portland photographer Shelby Brakken continues. This time, INW customer Robert and his Personal Agent Jenny are the featured subjects.
Stay tuned. More images are coming soon. 
by independencenw | Feb 21, 2013 | customers, faces of independence northwest
Phenomenally talented Portland photographer Shelby Brakken is back with a new series of images for The Faces of Independence Northwest Project.
Check out the some of the beautiful photos she’s taken of INW customer Cherish. You’ll see more of Cherish’s images on our promotional materials, on our office walls and on our website soon.
View all of Shelby Brakken’s Faces of Independence Northwest images here.
by independencenw | Apr 12, 2011 | advocacy, customers, faces of independence northwest
Shelby Brakken’s beautiful images keep coming as part of the Faces of Independence Northwest project. Check out the latest photo shoot with INW’s very first customer, Katy Kitchen.
by independencenw | Mar 25, 2011 | customers, faces of independence northwest
We’re pleased to post more stunning photographs from Shelby Brakken. Husband and wife team Mike and Lucrecia and their pets are the subjects of the third Faces of Independence Northwest photo session. Keep an eye out for more images from this beautiful session soon!
by independencenw | Mar 16, 2011 | customers, faces of independence northwest
Independence Northwest celebrated its fourth year as an Oregon nonprofit just this past December. We’ll celebrate our fourth year as a support services brokerage this summer. In recognition, we recently contracted with Shelby Brakken, an extraordinarily talented PDX photographer, to create portraits of some of our customers for use on our office walls, our website and promotional materials.
Our second subject was David. He and his Personal Agent headed out into the city with Shelby and here are the great images they came back with.
by independencenw | Jan 27, 2011 | customers, faces of independence northwest, multnomah county
Independence Northwest celebrated its fourth year as an Oregon nonprofit just this past December. We’ll celebrate our fourth year as a support services brokerage this summer. In recognition, we recently contracted with Shelby Brakken, an extraordinarily talented PDX photographer, to create portraits of some of our customers for use on our office walls, our website and promotional materials.
The first subject was April, pictured above. She has been a brokerage recipient since 2003 and an INW customer since the time we opened our doors. She, her INW Personal Agent Hilary and Shelby took to the town for a series of beautiful images that perfectly capture April.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be overhauling our website and will continue to post more portraits as they’re created. If you’d like to see more photos of April out and about Portland, check out Shelby’s blog here.
Stay tuned.
Providers, Customer Employers, and Community Members,
