Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG)

How is Louisiana's Family Opportunity Act keeping parents or guardians of children waiting for services informed about new MIG services they could be getting immediately? Attached is a sample of a letter sent out to parents or guardians to inform them of the Family Opportunity Act (FOA). In this program, there are no resource limits, and the family can be covered by other health insurance programs. This approach to marketing new MIG programs could be useful to other states.

How are states educating and marketing to consumers about work incentive programs for people with disabilities? Through a series of informational documents, Louisiana summarizes Disability Benefits & Work, Finding a Job, Knowing your Rights, Support, Taxes, Ticket to Work, and Transition after High School programs. Samples of these documents are attached and could be useful templates for other states interested in similar projects and marketing approaches.

How are personal success stories being used by MIG grantees to educate consumers about their programs? The Quality Employment Solutions® newsletter is published by Vocational Rehabilitation, Nebraska Department of Education, to provide information for Nebraskans working with people who have disabilities. It includes information about the program and resources, but focuses on personal success stories. It's an approach that could be useful to other MIG grantees.

Looking for a sample of a MIG pilot program annual report? The State of Nebraska created the attached Ticket to Work Palliative Care Pilot Program Annual Report for 2008-2009, which explains the program, funding, outreach, data, participant stories and more. It is a comprehensive sample that could serve as a template for other MIG states.

Looking for a sample of a MIG pilot project final report? The state of Nebraska created a report to access the success of their Brain Book™ System pilot project, dealing with traumatic brain injury. This report covers background and pilot objective, pilot activities, post-program evaluation, training program structure and resources, and conclusions and recommendations. A sample of this report and three corresponding forms and documents are available.

What is the state of Michigan doing to train consumers and supports coordinators about supported self employment? Michigan is holding training workshops. Two marketing pieces for these workshops are attached. One is targeted towards individuals looking for a job, and one for individuals interested in self-employment. The training is also relevant to employment, vocational staff, and supports coordinators.

Service use as a barrier to employment for people with disabilities is an obstacle for many MIG programs. The state of North Carolina addressed this issue with this presentation at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. The presentation, including data and their implications, addresses intensive and irregular service use as possible barriers to employment. It is information that could be useful to other states.

How are MIG states working to educate people with disabilities who want to work about incentives that won’t disqualify them for Medicaid health care coverage? The state of North Dakota created this advertisement to summarize program benefits and qualifications, and list other contacts and resources for information and help. It is an approach that could be useful to other states looking to dispel popular misconceptions.

How is Maryland marketing its Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) Program, which offers Medical Assistance (Medicaid) coverage to Marylanders with disabilities who work for pay? Attached are samples of the many marketing materials for this program, including a reminder card, article and posters. Informing consumers about this option is vital to a successful program and Maryland’s approach could be useful to other MIG grantees wishing to do the same.

What are some of the ways states are explaining work incentives to consumers? North Dakota created a two page document with concise explanations of each program, along with applicable resources and contact information. Topics include the Ticket to Work Program, Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), and Medicare While Working–Section 1619(b). This easy-to-use reference could be helpful for other MIG states looking for simple and effective ways to disseminate information about their programs.