Community Inclusion

A survey of state aging, disability and Medicaid agencies was conducted in 2012, in order to better understand challenges and concerns for funding and providing quality LTSS. Five common themes were identified in this report, including staff turnover and reductions during a sluggish recovery of state budgets. Other findings include an overall expansion of home and community-based services, LTSS transformation and reduced funding and high demand for non-Medicaid aging and disability services.

Ethnic minorities and LGBT older adults will continue to become more represented among the older adult population. A lifetime of discrimination has often adversely affected LGBT elders of color in a myriad of ways, including greater likelihood of financial instability and heightened health disparities. This report offers policy solutions to support the wellbeing of this growing population. Policy solutions include strengthened outreach and community supports to LBGT elders of color.

This training manual guides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grantees in the implementation of local CDBG programs. This manual covers essential topics ranging from CDBG's national objectives to the details of administration. The manual includes 20 topical chapters that clearly delineate the application process, eligible grant activities, various CDBG programs and their standards, as well as performance measurement and reporting.

Review recordings and handout materials from the National Association of Medicaid Directors Fall 2012 conference. Topics include Medicaid innovations, community integration, access to care, Medicaid long term services and supports, and dual eligible integration, and much more.

All Americans including people with disabilities and seniors should be able to live at home with the supports they need and participating in communities. To help meet these needs, HHS is creating a new organization, the ACL with the goal of increasing access to community supports and full participation, while focusing attention and resources on the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities. Visit the website for funding opportunities and announcements.

The survey focused only on the Personal Assistant Workforce employed through the Center’s for Independent Living (CIL) Fiscal Intermediary (FI) programs at Disability Action Center Northwest (DACNW), Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC), and Living Independently For Everyone (LIFE). The major focus of this survey was to gather ideas and responses from personal assistants on ways to improve the retention rate in the FI In-home Personal Assistant (PAS) Workforce.

The goals of the survey, which was sent to direct-care workers serving participants using the MI Choice SD option, were to: collect baseline demographic information on workers in the SD option; understand the motivations, job satisfaction, and training needs of workers providing services and supports to self-directed participants; and,identify strategies to strengthen and support the recruitment and retention of workers in self-directed programs.

One priority for an aging America is to enable older adults to live independently in their homes and communities. For those with limited income or resources, benefits can be a critical resource to receive support and avoid institutionalization. Many miss out on benefits due to lack of awareness, perceived complexity of applications, stigma, & misunderstanding eligibility. The You Gave, Now Save campaign connects eligibles with free & low-cost resources: BenefitsCheckUp & the Eldercare Locator.

NCI is a voluntary effort by public developmental disabilities agencies to measure and track their own performance. The core indicators are standard measures used across states to assess the outcomes of services provided to individuals and families. Indicators address key areas of concern including employment, rights, service planning, community inclusion, choice, and health and safety.

This site offers a wealth of information for anyone seeking clarification about the Balancing Incentive Program. It also provides numerous resources States will find useful when pursuing the benefits offered by the Program, including: The Program Application; The Implementation Manual; A user-friendly Work Plan; A user-friendly CSA/CDS crosswalk; Frequently Asked Questions; Webinars; Additional resources on the web; and beyond.