Individualized Budget

Cash & Counseling provides a flexible monthly allowance (based on the consumer’s care plan or claims history) that consumers can use to hire their choice of workers, including family members, and to purchase other goods & services. A demonstration was implemented in three states-Arkansas, Florida, & New Jersey. Based on their experiences, this paper draws lessons on designing & implementing a Cash & Counseling program, to provide information useful to states thinking of adopting such a program.

In this report, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) traces the budget issues that states confronted in 2002 and examines how they addressed those issues. The report also describes long-term care legislation enacted in 2002 and long-term care planning work that is under way in many states.

Notice of invitation to participate in the Housing Work Group.The Housing Work Group will provide a means for grantees to network with peers and to engage in open a discussion on how to develop affordable, accessible, and integrated housing choices for persons with disabilities. Each monthly call will focus on a specific issue or challenge and may include an expert presenter.

This document highlights North Dakota’s plan to pay family caregivers for services. North Dakota, as part of its efforts to increase alternatives to nursing homes, uses state funds to provide monthly payments to spouses and other family members to care for low-income people with disabilities, including older people living at home. The report provides background, implementation, and impact information for the program.

This document, Use of Client-Employed Providers: Participant's Capacity for Self-Direction, provides a list of specific questions a case manager may consider in evaluating the individual's ability to employ CEPs.

Powerpoint presentation on New Hampshire Consumer Directed Services Program.

This is a Kentucky bill that was passed when a parent/advocate took her son onto the floor of the Senate and lobbied for its passage - this parent is one of the members of the Real Choices Consumer Advisory Committee. The bill defines self-determined funding and allows for a pilot project for individualized and self-determined funding.

This handbook is a guide to help clients in the Client-Employed Provider Program better use the services available to them through the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) and to have a good working relationship with their employee/provider. This handbook includes examples of a job description and job application.

The IndependentChoices Website has been provided for both participants and those looking for information about the program. IndependentChoices is a special project in Arkansas that gives people the opportunity to direct thier own care at home, by providing a monthly allowance in place of "Personal Care Services."

In these reports, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) traces the budget issues that states confronted in 2002 & 2003 and examines how they addressed those issues. The report also describes long-term care legislation enacted in 2002 & 2003 and long-term care planning work that is under way in many states.