Psychiatric Disabilities/Mental Illness

Shared decision-making provides an approach through which providers and consumers of health care come together as collaborators in determining the course of care. Research has shown that SDM increases consumers’ knowledge about and comfort with the health care decisions they make. By placing mental health consumers at the center of the decision-making process, SDM provides a model through which multiple calls for transformation of the mental health field might be answered.

A review of the federal financing mechanisms used by state agencies to implement the evidence-based employment models ( IPS and CE) come with the recognition that the federal financing of employment services for people with serious mental illness is a shared responsibility across multiple federal agencies. Improvements in this shared responsibility can lead to more effective support for these evidence-based employment models at the state and local levels.

Summary presents key findings from a collection of nine studies conducted in 2009–2010, focusing on the employment efforts of working-age (age 18 to full retirement). Three of these reports concern TTW participants and program issues, while the other 6 are studies on more general topics related to beneficiary employment and SSA work supports. These nine studies constitute the fifth report of the Ticket to Work program evaluation.

Report illustrates the need for careful planning on how to address the health disparities experienced by persons with disabilities into the next decade. Because the perception that disability is solely an aging phenomenon, current analysis to people of working age (18-64) is limited. Also, little research compares the health disabilities to that of other racial and ethnic minority groups. The report suggests the time is now for a national plan to address disparities.

Adults with disabilities have diverse, complex, and expensive needs for health care services, costing the health care system $398 billion in 2006. This group, which represented 14 percent of the adult population in 2008, will grow larger in the future. This report discusses study designs and outcome measures that can be used to address different comparative research questions. Policymakers, practitioners, and the public need a better understanding of what works for study designs.

Mathematica released the sixth report in a series that use the latest data available on MFP grants and state efforts to transition Medicaid enrollees to community living and rebalance LTC systems. The report presents survey results showing change in quality of life, quality of care and community integration reported by 803 MFP participants after one year of community living. The authors explore policy implications for MFP and other transition programs.

How does the state of South Dakota provide outreach, including personal testimonials, important suggestions, and resources to individuals with disabilities seeking to maintain their benefits while also working? This July 2010 newsletter is one example of MIG outreach work being done in the state in order to provide these services. May be replicable by other states seeking to reach out to similar demographics.

Unemployment rates among people with disabilities is historically high. In Massachusetts, a Disability Task Force on Employment was formed in May 2008 to take a critical look at the Executive Branch’s current policies and practices and search for best practices in the public and private sector that pertain to recruiting, hiring, accommodating, promoting and retaining people with disabilities in the workplace. This report presents a summary of the focus group findings.

How is the state of Maryland helping to keep individuals with disabilities up to date on important changes in health care policies and law? On December 8, 2010, the Maryland Department of Disabilities held a summit in order to provide information on important changes regarding “Newly Eligible” Medicaid, Medicaid Buy-In, and Medicare. Reivew the the presentation.

On November 15, 2010, the CHOICES CEO Project sponsored an “Employment for ME Summit” to introduce Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ new employment policy. A resource page with extensive information about the summit, and links to technical resource materials disseminated at the conference, was put on a web page for those who couldn’t attend, and for ongoing reference for those who did attend. In addition, 14 important segments were put on YouTube.