Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities

This report provides an overview of 35 states’ initiatives to improve their LTC systems and includes lessons learned and recommendations that can guide states undertaking similar initiatives. Despite accomplishments and improvements, Grantees described continuing barriers including insufficient funding for home and community services; workforce shortages; lack of affordable and accessible housing and transportation; and outdated or inflexible administrative, statutory, and regulatory provisions.

The Georgia QA/QI Real Choice Systems Change grant employed a variety of person centered planning (PCP) techniques in order to change services to fit the needs of consumers. This document is a variety of flyers and notices that the grantee used in order to recruit consumers to participate in its PCP focus and planning groups.

This manual talks about the steps that need to be taken in order to hire and manage a personal care attendant. Topics that are discussed in the manual include knowing what you need and want, the hiring process, tax considerations, what being an employer involves, stress management, communication skills, plus additional resources.

CMS was soliciting proposals to develop the infrastructure to support competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Funding is intended to facilitate enhancements to state Medicaid programs and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies, and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports. The demonstration period runs Jan–Dec 2007. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.

CMS solicited proposals for this demonstration, created by section 204 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. It allows states to provide benefits, equivalent to those provided by Medicaid, to the categorically needy, to workers who have physical or mental impairments that, without medical assistance, will likely result in disability. The Demonstration period runs July 2006-June 2009. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.

This report summarizes the research findings of a 2006 questionnaire disseminated to gather information about choice and access to continuum of care services. The survey gained information from consumers regarding services they are using, services needed, and barriers encountered. Data was gathered regarding how consumers learn about available services and suggestions to guide the development of a single point of entry (SPE) system, also called an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).

This report describes the hospital discharge planner (HDP) survey conducted in the beginning of 2006. The HDP questionnaires were disseminated to gather information about the awareness of choice and access to continuum of care services for the elderly and people with disabilities as well as to gather ideas about how to optimize choice and improve access to these services. Review the results and read about the barriers faced by discharge planners.

Interviews were conducted to identify current perceptions, patterns, themes, and suggestions for improving the choice and self-direction, quality and access to long term care supports. This research also identified ways to develop a mechanism to balance state resources for services, and to identify elements for the design and structure of a single point of entry mechanism. Groups included: consumers of HCBS, elderly and younger nursing home residents, family members of consumers, and providers.

This document, in several sections, describes the requirements for the new assessment system in Washington. The purpose is to provide a comprehensive assessment process that identifies the support needs of program participants, fairly and equitably provides a service level to meet their assessed support needs and provides for an individual support plan. This process incorporates the State's existing assessment and calculations for the Medicaid waiver.

The 7th CMS New Freedom Initiative Conference was held March 5-7 in Baltimore. Presentations are available in both PDF and text formats. “Choice and Independence” is a key pillar of CMS’ vision for a person-centered long term services and supports system for the future. The 2007 conference focused on the policies, programs, and tools -including opportunities authorized by the Deficit Reduction Act– available to shape and carry out the vision.