Personal Assistant

Part of the Cash & Counseling effort, IndependentChoices is a Medicaid program that allows the consumer to direct their own personal assistant services. Because Arkansas was the first state to have a program like this, their experiences and materials are a good resource for other states looking to implement similar programs. This handbook was created as an introduction for new enrollees. Also see samples of their marketing materials: Brochure, Appointment Card template and Decal.

This evaluation report provides the reader with an overview, as well as a detailed description of the evaluations completed in 2007 of Freedom to Work Project activities in South Dakota. It collects evidence from those involved in the project (using surveys, interviews, observations, focus groups, etc.) to obtain a documented, shared understanding of the project’s effectiveness. These findings could be helpful to states with similar projects, or those considering implementing new ones.

These stories, from Arkansas, Florida & New Jersey, are based on in-depth interviews with Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE) clients, their families and caregivers, and program consultants. The research team developed a User's Guide to help the user navigate through the Reports easily and find information quickly and effectively. In addition, a detailed key word index exists for each Report to help the user locate specific information.

This article focuses on the effect of Arkansas' Cash & Counseling demonstration on nursing facility use and expenditures. The results are compared to traditional Medicaid PCS and the affect on total Medicaid costs are examined. The abstract (free) and full report (subscription required) are available.

This list of approved and prohibited purchases was created for Rhode Island's PersonalChoice program.

Rhode Island’s Participant Guide includes general information about the program and details about roles and responsibilities. The guide includes sections on getting started with the program, completing spending plans, addressing personal issues, and managing emergencies.

Rhode Island’s Quick Start Guide is designed to give participants an overview of the PersonalChoice program and their roles and responsibilities. The guide includes information on service and spending plans, communication tips, and information about working with PersonalChoice support agencies.

RWJF National Program Office on Cash & Counseling and the Minnesota DHS, had Paone & Associates conducted focus groups in 2007 to probe response to Minnesota’s consumer-directed care service option for EW recipients on managed care. The focus groups targeted managed care organizations (MCOs), care coordinators, and other organizations and individuals with experience in offering this service option to this population. This report offers results from those groups and recommendations for the state.

These service standards were developed for New Mexico's Mi Via program. The document includes information about the eligibility determination process, support contractors, the budget allotment process, and participant rights and responsibilities.

Minnesota has an extensive media kit on their website about Consumer Directed Community Supports. The items in the media kit offers you some easy, ready-to-go materials in printed and electronic formats to use in promoting the consumer directed community supports service option among consumers, partnering organizations, and others. Materials include key talking points, a news release, a postcard, a kiosk card, a short quiz, and a brief description of CDCS services.