Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities

This report reviews issues integral to the employment of people with disabilities. It has two broad aims: 1) to summarize existing knowledge regarding employment of people with disabilities; and 2) to present new information on the perspectives of employers, people with disabilities, and disability specialists on key barriers and facilitators of employment. The National Council on Disability offers recommendations to supplement best practices and existing public policies and initiatives.

Part of the Transitioning to Inclusive Communities (TIC) Project this “how-to” book is for “navigators,” people who want to assist those who wish to move from a nursing facility to the community. The guide gives basic information, plus supportive documents, tools, forms and other resource materials. Sections include: Navigator Roles and Responsibilities, Individualizing Transition/Diversion, the Transition Process, Building a Team, Tools for Success, Responsibilities, Rights and Resources.

How can a community advisor help find choices and supports? The MA CPASS grantees developed two tools to support self-determination. The first is a checklist of suggested competencies, attributes and skills of necessary to be a Community Advisors. The second resource is a guide defining the role of an advisory, how to use and select the right person, plus checklist of other considerations.

Two different reports assessed the MA C-PASS activities. First, an independent evaluation of the goals and accomplishment, information gathered from structured interviews. The second report is a ‘self-evaluation’ from the Coordinating Council who evaluated their own performance. Review the findings on self-determination, the planning process, the barriers encountered and goals achieved.

A product of the MASS C-PASS mini-grant project operated by the Multicultural Services Center of the Pioneer Valley (Otro Puente) this bilingual guide was designed for newly arrived Latino individuals and families to the city of Holyoke, MA. Written in response to concerns that many families don’t know how to start looking for supports for a person living with a disability, the guide reviews how to prepare for an interview or home visit, ways to gather information and a list of local agencies.

This site was created to support self-advocates and their communities to participate in Statewide personal assistance service systems change, promoting consumer-directed service models through community councils and customized training and technical assistance. The list of tools includes CPASS Business such as the calendar and newsletter as well as Consumer Direction & CPASS Resources and Training materials (Self-Advocacy and Personal Assistance Handbooks, Service Models, Support Brokerage).

In 2003, Massachusetts substantially increased premiums charged to enrollees in its CommonHealth-Working (CH-W) program. This study evaluates the impact of the premium change on enrollment. Findings indicate the premium increase had a small, but statistically significant impact on program exits. Key factors as to why the CH-W experience differs from other state programs experiencing similar enrollment declines are discussed. A report and presentation of the study are included.

CMS has announced the standards effective January 1, 2008. Review the minimum, maximum and monthly maintenance figures.

This report describes the enduring changes brought about by the NFT Grantees who either established or improved nursing facility transition programs or helped establish infrastructure. This two-part paper first examines changes and remaining challenges, lessons learned and recommendations, and later provides state-specific summaries. Review grantee activities including new statutes, policies, funding and expense changes, plus outreach and technical materials developed to facilitate transition.

Grantees are required to establish measurable performance goals for their programs as well as indicators that enable them to track progress. Relating to consumer and client satisfaction with services, it is important that established goals assess visibility, trust, ease of access and responsiveness of program functions and staff. This summary contains findings of ADRCs assessments of consumer satisfaction relating to performance indicators and reported in the semi-annual report.