Children and Families

Over 25 speaker presentations from the 20th Annual State Health Policy Conference in Denver. Workshop sessions include State Children’s Health Insurance Program, Health Care Reform, Early Childhood Development, Managed Long-Term Care, Quality Improvement and Measurement, Patient Assessment, State Initiatives on Nursing Homes and Increased Community Care, and Medicaid Funding. Review the presentations and other hot topics in state health policy.

The Missouri Business Leadership Network conducted a Disability Mentoring Day in St. Louis in Oct 2006 to give high school students the opportunity to engage in discussion with business leaders about concerns for furthering their education and/or entering the workforce. This program was further designed for students to network with business leaders and, for business leaders to match up with a student to mentor throughout the year. The report includes a summary of findings and recommendations.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services, through its Continuing Care Administration, is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to work with DHS staff and key stakeholders to complete a State Long-Term Care Profile. A State Profile tool was developed by Thomson Medstat under contract with CMS. The Profile must describe the state’s long-term care delivery system for 7 population groups that account for the majority of people who need hcbs in MN. Proposals are due January 28, 2008.

This power point presentation and associated brochure helps Massachusetts families with children and youth with special health needs understand MassHealth, the MA Medicaid program. This program is an umbrella for many different types of public health care. Learn about eligibility, standards, criteria, and premiums. This work is part of the 2004 RCSC CMS Grantees for Health Care Information and Education Centers.

What programs do the MA F2F Information and Education Center offer? Review their brochure about the services and supports. This parent-run center provides free technical assistance about health care, public benefits and other health care financing options. The pamphlet is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Additional information can be found on their website. The MA Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Center is a 2004 RSCS CMS Grantee.

The MA Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Center is a 2004 RSCS CMS Grantee. They have developed a number of resources for families with children and youth with special health care needs. Review their tip sheets on applying for MassHeath and Ways of Working with Health Care Insurers.

For many families and individuals with disabilities, the process of applying for Waivers can seem complex and overwhelming. Developed by Parents Reaching Out this series brings together accurate information and advice from families, advocates, case managers and agencies, to provide a “road map” of sorts. Titles include a Comparison Guide for HCBS Waivers, a DD Waiver Application Handbook, Guidebook to Supplemental Security Income and the Book of Acronyms. Titles are also available in Spanish.

The New Mexico Family to Family grantees, Parents Reaching Out, have put together over a dozen tips sheets. Topics include Advocating for Yourself, Teen Scene: Communication with Health Care Providers, Preparing for Doctors Visits, Waivers, Navigating Medicaid, SSI, Preventing Medical Errors, Transitioning Health Care, HIPAA, and FAQ sabot Mi Via and EPSDT. Also includes is a brochure called Telling Your Story, Tips for Sharing your Experiences. All the fact sheets are also available in Spanish.

The purpose of this survey analysis is to provide states with an overview of the implementation of these DRA changes across the country, specifically in terms of Long-Term Care services and the steps the states have taken. Findings address eligibility, Children with Disabilities, Money Follows the Person, HCBS State Plan Amendments, Transition from Institutions, Managed Care, SPA for Personal Care Services, Cash & Counseling, Care Coordination, Disease Management and Long-Term Care Reform.

The SC ADRC project developed these two PowerPoint Presentations used to 1) educate and train adults in South Carolina about the importance of and strategies involved in planning for long-term care needs in the future and 2) train parents or relatives of children with disabilities about future planning for themselves and their children.