Community Inclusion

The DMIE awards funds to states to develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that are intended to improve health care coverage and employment services for working adults with potentially disabling conditions. It allows states to offer Medicaid-equivalent coverage, employment support, and case management services in order to sustain employment. This issue brief reviews the rationale for the DMIE, the interventions of the four most recent states, evaluation, and information dissemination.

The purpose of this report is to inform the efforts of states that are trying to develop and improve QA/QI systems by describing and analyzing how selected Systems Change Grantees went through this process. The initiatives examined fall into six categories: administrative technology and information technology; standards for services; discovery; remediation; workforce; and public information.

Medicaid waivers funds can be used to support self-employment, but may not be used directly to fund the development of a business. This factsheet provides answers to questions about how to leverage waivers supports for self-employment while complying with these regulations. It also outlines eligibility requirements and presents short case studies.

The Department of Health and Human Services announces $36 million in new grant programs to 28 states to help older Americans, veterans, and people with Alzheimer’s disease to remain in their homes and communities. About $19 million of this involves a collaboration between the Administration on Aging and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The grants are designed to reach people who are not eligible for Medicaid but are at high risk for nursing home placement and to spend-down to Medicaid.

This annual conference focuses on quality of services for people with developmental disabilities. Held Aug. 10-12 in Baltimore, this year’s conference featured agencies that have implemented person-centered planning and individualized support structures. One highlight was individuals who have developed their own micro-enterprises. In addition, innovations in policies, systems issues, and quality assurance methodologies were presented.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does NOT affect an employer's right to hold all employees to performance and conduct standards. It does mandate that employers make reasonable accommodations so individuals with disabilities can meet those standards. This guide explains how and when employees should request these accommodations and how employers should handle such requests. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission periodically updates the guide on their website.

You can use this toolkit to replicate a rural transportation program. Surveys, communications with stakeholders, fact sheets, flyers, background information, and materials from a transportation summit are all included.

Model communities “fully engage and use their social, economic and cultural resources to improve the quality of life for all of their citizens.” Wisconsin used this RFP to award MIG funds to communities for use in developing and implementing action plans to create a model community fitting that definition.

Wisconsin developed this project to improve work opportunities for students with sensory impairments by educating employers. The first document is a resource guide on low-cost workplace accommodations, with a focus on assistive technology. The second presents the findings of a statewide employer survey on accommodations and trainings used. The final document is the year-end MIG report for the project.

Wisconsin developed the WorkSource website and phone and email hotline to answer employers’ questions about recruiting and employing people with disabilities. Here you can find a focus group and needs assessment report used in developing the website. There are also a WorkSource brochure, a list of questions that can be answered within 24 hours, and a link to the site.