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Relay & Timberline: What Iowa Districts Need to Know 

Over the past several weeks, the Relay and Timberline teams have been working closely together to learn, plan, and prepare for next steps with Iowa districts. This page serves as a central place to share updates, answer common questions, and provide helpful resources 

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Schedule Your Tech Meeting and          Portal Configuration (Basecamp) Meeting

Please use the buttons below to schedule both your Tech Meeting and your Portal Configuration (Basecamp) Meeting with Relay.

These meetings are essential for your district to ensure all systems are properly aligned and information is fully synced. They allow our teams to integrate Relay’s platform effectively, streamline communication, and ensure paraprofessionals can log in and access the tools they need without disruption.

 Tech Meeting

Who should attend: SIS Admin or tech

What we will cover: The meeting will cover the necessary details regarding the file that needs to be built in your Student Information Service and sent to Relay on a daily basis. This file will provide Relay with the necessary student demographic information that is required for Medicaid documentation and billing.

Portal Configuration (Basecamp) Meeting

Who should attend: Primary Medicaid Coordinator at the district

What we will cover: The meeting will discuss all of the files to get providers (users) into Relay’s system, as well as compliance data (e.g. parental consent, DX, Achieve file, etc.).


 Webinars

Meet Relay: The Next Step for Timberline Clients: This webinar provides an overview of the work Relay and Timberline have been doing together and what districts can expect moving forward. In this session, we covered: 

  • An introduction to Relay and its key capabilities 
  • Progress made through collaboration with the Timberline team 
  • What to expect in the coming weeks and months 
  • How Relay will support districts throughout the transition 
  • Questions and feedback from district participants 

Will we still have access to our Timberline coordinator?

 Yes, throughout the process, we have been working hand in hand to ensure we provide our district customers with an excellent client experience. Coordinators will play an important role in the transition and conversion process. 

Is there a timeline for when a district will be transitioning from Timberline products (T-Trak) and services to Relay products and services?

The Timberline and Relay teams have engaged in many weeks of review, education and learning, and planning and do believe that the Relay products (Dash and Podium) reflect an improvement for our districts. It was important for us to gather feedback from our IA district customers to help inform the strategy of when we will transition. We have committed to finalizing these decisions based on district feedback by no later than the end of February. 

 

Will districts be able to stay with paper logging or opt to stay on T-Trak as part of the transition/conversion process?

It is likely that we would want to see all clients transition to the same electronic platform within a set period of time.  However, we are exploring what additional service options might make sense for districts who wish to extend their transitions or keep existing high-touch service models.  This will be communicated in the coming weeks based off the feedback we receive. Note: Electronic customers using paper for transportation logging will be supported using a Relay process to help process that paper with more automation (over time).

What if we want to move to Relay Dash as soon as possible?

Our team welcomes districts who see the value and ease of use of the Relay products and services to choose to make this transition soon.  We anticipate we can begin IT/Data discussions as soon as April and would plan to make all transitions around the start of the new school year.

Relay uses the term “Provider” throughout the product demo, who is considered a provider?

A provider is considered any user/person who documents services.  In IA, examples of a provider would include paraprofessionals, nurses and social workers.  All providers will have an account to access Relay and this information can be bulk loaded and managed.

How will Relay handle paper logging for certain situations like substitute logs, transportation logs, etc.?

We envision that districts will use electronic service logging and claiming ultimately, but there are certain situations where paper logging will not be possible to replace.  Relay utilizes tools to electronically review scanned paper logs and to import paper logged data directly into the systems.  For example, templated paper logs can be collected, scanned, dropped for review by Relay and automatically imported using these tools.  Separately, as districts can create or bulk upload accounts and manage access rights cleanly, many districts do have substitutes in their Relay systems.

When we are transitioned to the new Relay tools, is there a cost?

For clients moving to the electronic billing system and converting to the Relay platform, we expect the cost to remain the same.  Service level expectations for each service type will be clearly defined as to what is included from Relay in those existing costs.

Relay allows for more integration of data and automation of importing data like IEPs, SIS Student Data, etc. If we need help setting these up, what can Relay do to assist?

Implementation teams are experienced in helping districts understand the data exchange processes.  In some cases, where district IT staff may need assistance, we also have a network of experts with most common SIS and IEP products who can help configure the initial data exchange process.

Will the data import from IEP (Achieve) update service start dates, account for amendments, etc. automatically?

Yes, the system will reflect the changes based on the updated IEP and associated amendments ensuring consistency and accuracy between systems.  Note: the origin of this data upload is Achieve, so the Relay data will only be accurate if the source data in Achieve is accurately maintained.

Do health services providers still approve logs?

Yes, the provider logs (submitted by paras, for example) will flow directly to the Nurse for approval. They can review and approve logs directly in Relay Dash in one place.

Timberline allowed for templates to be built for each para to streamline entry of service data and to avoid manual entry of service times, etc. How does Relay provide this functionality?

Relay has a Scheduler tool.  Schedules can be created by the individual provider (user – para) or added by an administrative user on behalf of the provider  When a calendar entry is scheduled, it can be easily opened to log the standard service with the pre-defined information in place.

What will training look like to help staff understand the Relay platform during the transition?

The Relay team (including the former Timberline team) will provide a full implementation and onboarding process that includes initial training for district administrators of the system as well as providers (paras, etc.).   In addition, there are many virtual, online and ongoing options available to provide additional training, if and when necessary beyond the initial onboarding training.  Your Client Success Manager (Coordinator) can and will aid in ensuring successful adoption of the products for the district.

I have district specific questions about logging – such as questions on specific scenarios, time entry, district policy, etc. How can I get answers to these questions?

We expect districts will want to take a more personal and closer look at the tools. Work with your Coordinator (Client Success Manager) to schedule time for a one on one overview and Q&A session.

How can we monitor and understand if a para (provider) is logging all of their services?

As billing and claiming is managed automatically on the back-end, the best practice is to have providers/paras log all student interactions.  The platform then reports only what is eligible to be reported based on compliance, logic and rules.  Further, there are multiple reports dynamically updated and available for all administrators to monitor provider compliance (for example, Prescribed vs. Delivered Reports,  Student Reports, etc.).

What help will we receive with compliance review, audits, etc. going forward with Relay?

Relay has reporting for ongoing review of compliance, validations that match compliance rules that are applied to all billing and claiming.  If a District is audited, Relay CSM will assist in pulling and reviewing the correct data to determine compliance.

    


What's Next? 

Steps for Success

  • Continued collaboration between Relay and Timberline 
  • Ongoing communication and updates for Iowa districts 
  • Additional resources shared as plans and timelines are confirmed 
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