Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities

This application offers a total of approximately $13 million in Real Choice Systems Change (RCSC) grants to qualifying States in two grant categories: State Profile Tool (SPT): Assessing a State's Long-Term Care System & Person-Centered Planning Implementation Grant. Persons with mental illnesses are noted as target populations for both grant categories. Applications are due by July 27, 2007.

This report describes grant activities (accomplishments and progress) in three major LTC systems areas: Access to LTC Services and Supports, Services, Supports, and Housing, Administrative and Monitoring Infrastructure. The report also provides illustrative examples of the challenges Grantees have faced as they implement grant activities, and consumers’ roles in the implementation and evaluation of these activities.

The information included in this booklet is a starting point in educating and informing caregivers of children with disabilities about their rights and creating early expectations and models for self-determination. Also listed are a number of non-profit, cross-disability organizations offering emotional support and a wealth of information on how to get the services you need for your child in Arkansas. This user-friendly guide also includes a dictionary plus a glossary called Alphabet Soup.

This project was funded to a) gather descriptive information on HCBS waivers, both comprehensive and supports, operated for people with I&DD in 17 states with the supports waivers b) determine how supports waivers have emerged as separate and distinct HCBS waivers c) better understand the range of participant characteristics and experiences that distinguish supports waivers from other HCBS waivers d) more fully appreciate how states view supports waivers as a way to address demand for HCBS.

The Real Choice System Change project at the University of Connecticut’s Center for Disabilities administered a Community Inclusion Assessment to determine the level and quality of inclusion. The papers in this series are based on a sample of 250 individuals with disabilities. Briefing Paper #3 explores a gap between the level of involvement and feelings about involvement. Findings suggest that assuring the opportunity of participation is only one step in making communities more inclusive.

The purpose of this analysis is to assess the relative need for affordable housing with supportive services in Arkansas and to compare this need with the available resources for low-income senior and disabled populations. To conduct this analysis, data was gathered from both direct sources and statistical surveys. The data was analyzed to identify the gaps between needs and resources, as well as other patterns.

The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) presents their action plan for systems change. This Plan outlines the process of transitioning individuals with developmental disabilities from developmental centers (DCs) to the community over the next 8 years (State FY 2008 through FY 2015). The Plan addresses the requirements of state legislation (S1090, PL 2006, Chapter 61) as well as the issues in the NJ P&A Olmstead lawsuit.

This study projects to 2040 the number of people ages 65 and older with disabilities and their use of long-term care services. Declining family sizes, increasing childlessness, and rising divorce rates will limit the number of family caregivers. Rising female employment rates may further reduce the availability of family care, increasing the need for paid home care. The simulations show that under the most optimistic scenario, LTC burdens on families and institutions will increase substantially.

The Arizona Consumer-Driven Quality Improvement System Project developed two survey instrument to gather information regarding the attendant care services that consumers receive from the Division of Developmental Disabilities. They have also shared their EAzI(Empowering Arizona’s Individuals with Developmental Disabilities) Quality Traits which were created to assist in developing a survey instrument specific to the service quality needs of consumers who use Home and Community Based Services.

This policy outlines the role and function of the Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services Performance Analysis Committee. This group plays a central part in the collection, analysis and reporting of data in relation to performance indicators identified by various stakeholders as important in a state MR/DD program. The policy offers definitions, standards, procedures, and a flow chart to illustrates their continuous quality improvement cycle.