Connecticut 2003 | advancingstates.org

<H3>Connecticut</H3>   <H4>Task Force</H4> The Community Options Task Force was created in March 2000 to develop the initial Olmstead plan, which was released for public comment in 2001. The task force disbanded when it provided the plan to the Long-Term Care Planning Committee in March 2002. After public comment the plan did not change from the 2001 version. The Long-Term Care Planning Committee oversaw the development of the Olmstead plan. The Long-Term Care Planning Committee is charged under statute with developing a long-term care plan for Connecticut residents every three years. In addition, the planning committee will regularly review the Olmstead plan and revise it as necessary. The most recent draft of the plan can be found at <A HREF=\"http://www.dss.state.ct.us/images/CommIntPlan.pdf\">http://www.dss.state.ct.us/images/CommIntPlan.pdf</A>.   <H4>The Plan</H4> Choices Are for Everyone focuses on identifying ways to expand the available options for all people with disabilities (including supports for their families) and to enhance the information available to them so they can make informed choices about how best to ensure that their needs are met. In addition to the already existing services in the state, the state is creating additional home and community-based services to help individuals residing in institutions make the transition into the community and to divert entrance or readmission into institutions. The action steps in the plan address barriers in the state. These include lack of public education about available options; lack of affordable and accessible housing; lack of assistance to people with disabilities to help overcome fear, lack of experience, stigma, and the lasting effects of institutionalization or discrimination; lack of adequate and accessible supports in the community; and lack of a sufficiently large, competent and adequately compensated workforce. The Long-Term Care Planning Committee will oversee the implementation of these action steps, including developing a timeline for completion of the action steps and assignment of responsibility for each step. Transition: Develop a system to identify individuals who are residing in institutional care and want to live in the community; educate individuals with disabilities who are in institutions and will be making the transition about the importance of having a peer; and develop a peer support network for those who are making the transition from living in institutions to living in the community. Housing: Improve the reporting of accessible housing units to the Connecticut Accessible Housing Registry; educate architects, housing authorities, builders and local boards about accessibility; review safety codes to ensure safety for individuals with functional limitations; and explore the possibility of providing tax incentives to encourage new homes or substantial renovations to meet minimum accessibility standards. Supports: Increase the paraprofessional support workforce through creation and implementation of a strategic marketing plan; coordinate information sources for backup personal assistants; encourage support networks to continue to be involved with individuals for up to one year; develop and make available training programs for individuals who want to support people with disabilities; educate the public about the availability of services; and analyze the fiscal effects of providing a Connecticut income tax deduction for medical expenses that are deductible under the federal income tax. Community Connections: Distribute materials to the general public, current residents of institutions and providers of support; introduce individuals with disabilities to fellow community members who may become friends and provide support; and ensure that translators are available for individuals with cognitive or communication issues to provide assistance and information. A few recent initiatives are the Connect to Work Project, the Assisted Living Initiative; Long-Term Care Pre-Admission Screening, the Connecticut Behavioral Health Partnership, and Care/Case Management Demonstration Projects.   <H4>Implementation</H4> Legislation House Bill 5166, signed by the Governor on June 3, 2002, expands membership of the Long-Term Care Advisory Committee. Successes The Long-Term Care Planning Committee is now in the beginning stages of implementing the action steps. The various state agencies involved in the plan have taken on assignments for the action steps and have developed a timeline for the completion of each step. The action steps include: Transition: Educate people with disabilities who will make the transition into the community about peer support and support networks. Housing: Help people with disabilities overcome fear, lack of experience, stigma and the lasting effects of institutionalization or discrimination. Supports: Increase the paraprofessional workforce, develop training programs, educate the public about services and develop programs for displaced workers. Community Connections: Distribute materials to the general public, current residents of institutions and providers of support services; establish networks for individuals with disabilities who are making the transition into the community; and provide translators for people who have cognitive or communication issues. Challenges The greatest barriers to moving forward with Olmstead compliance are resources. Specifically, the state needs to develop the infrastructure to carry out its plan and to find necessary services in the community. Eventually, state officials believe Connecticut will be able to use existing institutional resources to help fund home and community-based options, but the state must sustain both at first. Lawsuit One current lawsuit, ARC vs. O'Meara, Civil Action No. 3:01CV1871, in part references the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Olmstead. This lawsuit is against the Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation. The complaint asserts that Connecticut has failed to furnish the waiver services to which the named individuals are entitled. For an update on lawsuits in Connecticut and other states, see Status Report: Litigation Concerning Medicaid Services for People with Developmental and Other Disabilities by Gary A. Smith at <A HREF=\"http://www.hsri.org/index.asp?id=news\">http://www.hsri.org/index.asp?id=news</A>. Next Steps The state has identified existing waiting lists for community services, but more data analysis is needed to determine the number of individuals who are inappropriately residing in institutions. Connecticut received an $800,000 Nursing Facility Transition Grant for a three-year period under CMS' Systems Change Grant Program, starting October 2001. The funds are being used to help up to 150 nursing home residents make the transition into the community over the three years of the grant. Many of the activities of the grant will help accomplish some of the action steps in the Olmstead plan. In addition, the state received a three-year $1.35 million Real Choice Systems Change Grant from CMS in September 2002. With this grant, the state will develop three model communities where individuals with disabilities can live an engaged and satisfying life in the community. The activities under the grant will be coordinated with the Nursing Facility Transition grant, along with the state's Medicaid Infrastructure grant.