Cash and Counseling

Held in May 2005 this national conference was designed to meet the unique training needs of waiver program operators. This year’s conference, titled "The Sun Shines Brighter at Home," offered substantive opportunities to learn about the national initiatives, policy directions and grant programs that shape the current environment. The attached agenda has links to all of the presentation overheads.

This research issue brief summarizes the results of an in-depth research study on participant engagement in the design and improvement of Cash & Counseling programs. It is intended to provide policymakers, program funders, advocates, and program participants with insights into the challenges faced and subsequent outcomes when developing and sustaining meaningful participant engagement practices. This issue brief aims to provide concrete recommendations based on the research conducted.

HCBS.org News CLIPS highlights the important work related to Real Choice Systems Change Grantees. In each issue, we examine a topic related to home and community-based care by providing an overview of recent papers and publications. The Spring issues provides an overview of the reports available on consumer direction and Cash & Counseling. Models of self-directed personal assistance services have been researched, reviewed and evaluated by many sources. Review the many resources available.

Interested in how to use media to market your program? Minnesota has developed short video clips to make it easier for consumers to learn about “You Decide. Your Help.” The following video segments show viewers how to use the consumer directed service option to provide the help you need to continue to live at home. These clips give viewers the basic information on what the option is, who is eligible and who to contact for more information.

This scan was designed to understand facilitators and barriers to self-direction in behavioral health, ascertain interest among stakeholders, adapt the model and outcome measures to better fit the needs of behavioral health consumers, and develop recommendations to inform next steps. The scan was a joint effort conducted over 18 months (Sept 2011-Feb 2013) by researchers from the National Center for Participant-Directed Services, Human Services Research Institute, and University of Maryland.

What They Did. Did It Work? How They Did It and Adoption Considerations. These are all the questions that the Policy Innovations Profile will answer about Cash & Counseling. As a voluntary alternative to traditional agency-delivered home care, a joint public-private program gives Medicaid enrollees a monthly allowance for home care and related services that they can spend at their own discretion. Review the evidence. tools and resources and otherimplementation tips.