Request for Estimated Completion Date and ADA Accommodation Confirmation for FOIA Request No. 25-00044-F (U.S. Department of State)

To: April Freeman, FOIA Public Liaison U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division Phone: 202-514-4210 Subject: Request for Estimated Completion Date and ADA Accommodation Confirmation for FOIA Request No. 25-00044-F Dear Ms. Freeman, I am following up on my FOIA request No. 25-00044-F, submitted to the DOJ Civil Rights Division on October 24, 2024, and acknowledged on October 25, 2024. This request seeks access to the Connecticut Medicaid ABI Waiver Program provider registry, including provider details, enrollment dates, and any records of complaints or violations associated with providers. Based on guidance from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), I am reaching out to request an estimated date of completion (EDC) for this request, per 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(7)(B)(ii). Given the public interest in these records for Medicaid transparency and oversight, I respectfully ask that this request be processed as promptly as possible. Additionally, I reiterate my request for ADA accommodations to ensure accessibility. Please conduct all correspondence for this FOIA request exclusively via email (without requiring portal access, phone calls, or alternate communication methods), as this ensures I can effectively manage and review the information. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please confirm receipt of this message and, if possible, provide an EDC and confirmation of ADA-compliant communication. Sincerely, David Medeiros ABI Resources LLC Email: aabiwr@live.com FOIA Request No. 25-00044-F ________________ From OGIS <ogis@nara.gov> Date Fri 11/8/2024 9:41 AM To OGIS <ogis@nara.gov> Cc ABI RESOURCES 860 942-0365 <aabiwr@live.com> 1 attachment (118 KB) 00092179 Response.pdf; Dear David Medeiros, We have attached a response to your submission to the Office of Government Information Services. Sincerely, The OGIS Staff On Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 9:23:33 AM UTC-4 ABI RESOURCES 860 942-0365 wrote: Subject: FOIA Mediation Request for Case No. 25-00044-F To: ogis@nara.gov Dear OGIS Team, I am seeking mediation assistance regarding my Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, case number 25-00044-F, submitted to the Civil Rights Division on October 24, 2024. This request seeks access to records for a comprehensive and up-to-date provider registry associated with the Connecticut Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program, specifically including provider details, areas of specialty, enrollment statuses, and any records related to complaints or actions taken. The Civil Rights Division acknowledged my request on October 25, 2024, but noted that processing might be delayed due to a high volume of FOIA requests. Given the importance of these records in supporting transparency and accountability in Medicaid program administration, I believe there may be ways to expedite or better track the status of my request through your mediation services. Please note my basic accommodation request: All communication for this matter should be conducted exclusively via email, without the use of external portals, alternate websites, or phone calls, as this ensures I can fully manage and review the information provided. Thank you for your assistance in pursuing a complete and timely response. Sincerely, David Medeiros ABI Resources LLC 39 Kings Hwy STE C Gales Ferry, CT 06335 aabiwr@live.com 11/8/24, 10:37 AM Mail - ABI RESOURCES 860 942-0365 - Outlook Best regards, David Medeiros ABI Resources Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury ABI Waiver Program Provider NOTE: This e-mail may contain sensitive and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient (or have received this email in error) please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail. Any unauthorized copying, disclosure, or distribution of the material in this e-mail is strictly forbidden. Under the Privacy Act of 1974, all data of a private nature must be protected from unauthorized disclosure. Rise Above Challenges AKL Freedom of Information/PA Unit –4CON 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20530 Via Electronic Mail Mr. David Medeiros ABI Resources LLC October 25, 2024 39 Kings Hwy STE C Gales Ferry, CT 06335 aabiwr@live.com Date Received: October 24, 2024 FOI/PA No.25-00044-F Subject of Request: Information pertaining to complete and current provider registry, including: Provider names; Contact details (physical addresses, email addresses); Areas of specialty and services offered; Provider enrollment dates and current status; any and all records related to complaints, violations, or actions taken against providers in connection with their participation in the ABI Waiver Program Dear Mr. Medeiros: The Civil Rights Division acknowledges receipt of your Freedom of Information Act request, which was received in this office on the date indicated above. Your request seeks access to the above mentioned records. Please read this letter carefully because it contains important information about your request. As a result of the large number of FOIA and Privacy Acts requests received by the Civil Rights Division, we may encounter delays in processing your request. To ensure that requesters are treated fairly, the Division processes requests in the approximate order of receipt. Please be assured that your request is being handled as equitably and promptly as possible. If you have any questions regarding the status of your request, you may contact our office at crt.foiarequests@usdoj.gov. Please reference the FOIA No. above in any communications with the Civil Rights Division about your request. Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. The contact information for OGIS is: Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001; e-mail at ogis@nara.gov; telephone at 202-741-5770; toll free at 1- 877- 684-6448; or facsimile at 202-741-5769. Please reference the FOIA/PA No. above in any correspondence with OGIS. If you are not satisfied with the Civil Rights Division's determination in response to this request, you may administratively appeal by writing to the Director, Office of Information Policy U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (OIP), United States Department of Justice, 441 G Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20530, or you may submit an appeal through OIP's FOIA STAR portal by creating an account following the instructions on OIP’s website: https://www.justice.gov/oip/submitandtrackrequest-or-appeal . Your appeal must be postmarked or electronically transmitted within 90 days of the date of my response to your request. If you submit your appeal by mail, both the letter and the envelope should be clearly marked "Freedom of Information Act Appeal." If possible, please provide a copy of your original request and this response letter with your appeal. If you have any further questions, contact this office by calling (202) 514-4210. Sincerely, Aundra Luckey Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts Unit Civil Rights Division From: FOIArequests, CRT (CRT) <CRT.FOIArequests@usdoj.gov> Sent: Friday, October 25, 2024 11:33 AM To: aabiwr@live.com <aabiwr@live.com> Subject: FOIA Request 25-00044-F Dear Mr. Medeiros, This is to inform you that your request for records was received by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Attached is your acknowledgement letter regarding your Freedom of Information request. 11/8/24, 10:37 AM Mail - ABI RESOURCES 860 942-0365 - Outlook Thank You, FOI/PA Unit U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division CRT.FOIArequests@usdoj.gov Information/PA Unit –4CON 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20530 Via Electronic Mail Mr. David Medeiros ABI Resources LLC October 25, 2024 39 Kings Hwy STE C Gales Ferry, CT 06335 aabiwr@live.com Date Received: October 24, 2024 FOI/PA No.25-00044-F Subject of Request: Information pertaining to complete and current provider registry, including: Provider names; Contact details (physical addresses, email addresses); Areas of specialty and services offered; Provider enrollment dates and current status; any and all records related to complaints, violations, or actions taken against providers in connection with their participation in the ABI Waiver Program Dear Mr. Medeiros: The Civil Rights Division acknowledges receipt of your Freedom of Information Act  request, which was received in this office on the date indicated above. Your request seeks access to the above mentioned records. Please read this letter carefully because it contains important information about your request. As a result of the large number of FOIA and Privacy Acts requests received by the Civil Rights Division, we may encounter delays in processing your request. To ensure that requesters are treated fairly, the Division processes requests in the approximate order of receipt. Please be assured that your request is being handled as equitably and promptly as possible. If you have any questions regarding the status of your request, you may contact our office at crt.foiarequests@usdoj.gov. Please reference the FOIA No. above in any communications with the Civil Rights Division about your request. Additionally, you may contact the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) at the National Archives and Records Administration to inquire about the FOIA mediation services they offer. The contact information for OGIS is: Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001; e-mail at ogis@nara.gov; telephone at 202-741-5770; toll free at 1-877- 684-6448; or facsimile at 202-741-5769. Please reference the FOIA/PA No. above in any correspondence with OGIS. If you are not satisfied with the Civil Rights Division's determination in response to this request, you may administratively appeal by writing to the Director, Office of Information Policy U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (OIP), United States Department of Justice, 441 G Street, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20530, or you may submit an appeal through OIP's FOIA STAR portal by creating an account following the instructions on OIP’s website: https://www.justice.gov/oip/submitandtrackrequest-or-appeal . Your appeal must be postmarked or electronically transmitted within 90 days of the date of my response to your request. If you submit your appeal by mail, both the letter and the envelope should be clearly marked "Freedom of Information Act Appeal." If possible, please provide a copy of your original request and this response letter with your appeal. If you have any further questions, contact this office by calling (202) 514-4210. Sincerely, Aundra Luckey Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts Unit Civil Rights Division ____________________________ November 8, 2024—Sent via email David Medeiros aabiwr@live.com Dear David Medeiros: Thank you for contacting the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), an office of the National Archives and Records Administration. As you are aware, Congress created OGIS to serve as the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Ombudsman. We assist the public and federal agencies by helping them resolve their FOIA disputes, and by addressing their questions and concerns about the FOIA process. It appears that you are seeking assistance with a FOIA request currently pending with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. Please note, OGIS cannot compel an agency to process a request more quickly or ahead of others in the queue. However, in working cases similar to yours, we have learned that some requesters have had success receiving a more timely response by refining the scope of a request. If you would like to discuss narrowing your request—which may allow it to be processed more efficiently— you may wish to contact the agency's FOIA Public Liaison (FPL). All federal agencies have an FPL, whose role is to explain the FOIA process and assist requesters with their FOIA requests at any stage of the administrative process. Additionally, it is important to know that all federal agencies are required to provide an estimated date of completion (EDC) when asked (5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(7)(B)(ii)). In order to obtain an estimated date of completion for your request, we recommend that you contact the agency directly. The FOIA Public Liaison (FPL) for the Civil Rights Division, April Freeman, can be reached at 202-514-4210. We hope you find this information useful. At this time, we will take no further action. If you have questions or concerns that we have not addressed, please contact us again. Best regards, The OGIS Staff