Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

January/February 2001

The NCDDD Perspective on Disability Issues
by Sherry Sheeley, Great Plains Regional Director

THREE DDS ADMINISTRATORS SHARED an NCDDD perspective on a variety of issues with conference attendees at the National Training Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tommy Warren, Alabama administrator and President of NCDDD, discussed current NCDDD activities and concerns. NCDDD is committed to opening communications with SSA about the important issues including the DCM project, 2010 Vision, Childhood Disability, Systems, Quality Assurance, and Prototype and Resources. NCDDD is also closely committed to working closely with NADE. Warren told attendees that “with NCDDD, NADE has a voice.” Further, he stated that “The DDS and the disability examiner is where the rubber hits the road.” He believes that together, NCDDD and NADE, need to continue to ask for input in the SSA decision making process and feels that the two groups need to work together as a team. Issues of concern include: the internet that will require flexibility in the future; electronic folder process, functionality in the new medical listings; and working with parent agencies for salary increases. Salaries are especially important because the most valuable resource of the DDS is the Disability Examiner. Warren believes that the DDS staffs are not adequately paid for the amount of expertise required to do the job. This is especially an issue in the Prototype states where SSA is asking examiners to do more work and the work requires a higher level of decision-making. NCDDD will actively work with the Social Security Advisory Board, Congress, and the Social Security Subcommittee.

Nebraska Administrator Doug Willman discussed the Disability Claims Manager Test Project, which began three years ago. The DCM Test was scheduled to be completed on September 30, 2000. Because too few cases have been completed by the DCMs in the pilot, the independent evaluators of the test (the Lewin Group) have reported that more cases are needed to provide for a valid test. Therefore, SSA has asked the DDSs to continue the DCM project until June, 2001. NCDDD has been negotiating with SSA on the following major points:

1. There will be no further extension of the DCM Test past June 30, 2001.

2. NCDDD was to meet with SSA Commissioner Apfel on October 3, 2000.

3. There won’t be any changes to the 221 Act at least until the end of FY 2001.

4. If the DCM test data in December 2000 shows that the data is not viable, the states involved in DCM have the option to terminate the testing before June 2001. The Federal DCMs will be kept busy as not to change their TDY status.

5. The salary issue is a key part of the DCM test and must be addressed and solved by SSA.

(Willman believes that the salary issue is SSA’s problem and SSA needs to take ownership on this problem and solve it.) There are vastly different pay rates between Federal and State DCMs doing the same job.

Lastly, DDS administrator from Wyoming Vickie Johnson spoke on the SSA 2010 Vision. Issues of concern to NCDDD and NADE includes planning, resources, and budget. There are different agendas and stakeholders involved in this process. There are strong alliances with the state/federal partnership being the biggest alliance. The states, NCDDD, and NADE need to be involved in 2010. SSA need to keep up with technology and participate in the decision-making , concerning this issue. There are variances and differences from state to state and SSA needs to realize that one size does not fit all. SSA needs to recognize that the Disability Examiners are highly skilled professionals with a wealth of expertise that have many years of experience. Disability Examiners have overcome many changes over the years,. There are parity issues facing all DDSs that are not resolved by SSA writing letters to each state governor. SSA must handle each state’s circumstances with care because what works well in one state may not in another. The 2010 Vision is a step in the right direction but SSA needs involvement and innovative solutions from the DDSs. NCDDD along with NADE is looking to invest in the future now.