Olmstead

Using six states as examples, this report illustrates how the DD Network partners, working with each other and in collaboration with state developmental disability agencies and others, have positively affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities - assuring their rightful place as full community members through advocacy, research, training, and programs that directly support individuals and families.

This site is a one stop resource to help expand integrated supportive housing approaches for people with disabilities. It highlights innovative new options within the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program, & provides information & resources targeted to states & other supportive housing stakeholders as they face new challenges & opportunities for ensuring community living for non elderly people with disabilities.

This Primer has been updated to include all relevant statutory, regulatory and other policy changes that have occurred in the last 10 years in Medicaid home and community services. Given the significance of recent changes, this Primer will be an even more useful tool for all those working to ensure that people with disabilities can live in the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs.

Certain states significantly outperform others in the delivery of long-term services and supports (LTSS) to older adults and people with disabilities. The report examines four key dimensions of state LTSS system performance: affordability and access; choice of setting and provider; quality of life and quality of care; support for family caregivers. It assesses each state's performance overall as well as on 25 indicators, some of which measured for the first time. Compare data on the website.

The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) is premiering the documentary film about the history of the decades-long struggle for equal rights for people with disabilities. The film tells the story of the disability rights movement in America, which began after WWII when disabled veterans returned home; and culminated in 1990 with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The website has an Interactive Timeline of the Disability Rights Movement, a talk back section, and footage from the film.

A review of 36 studies of outcomes for nearly 5,000 people with intellectual & developmental disabilities moving from large institutions to community living arrangements found high consistency in positive change in daily living skills. Studies specifically addressing social skill development, language & communication skills development, self-care & domestic skill development & community living skill development also showed positive outcomes associated with leaving large institutions.

This document is the latest in a series of reports on Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) spending. This year’s report contains newly available data and changes in the services that are included within LTSS. The report explains the changes, summarizes the data, and describes national trends.

Third Annual Report builds on findings from the first two Annual Reports and focuses on the progress grantees made during the 2008-2009 grant period, representing slightly different stages of implementation for the FY05 grantees (Year 4) and the FY06 grantees (Year 3). Across grantees, data on outcomes during 2008-2009 grant period remained limited and changes in system infrastructure continue to be difficult to assess at this time.

Every year numerous children with severe disabilities who get in-home care through state Medicaid funds age out of the program. Some go to nursing homes, other families struggle to keep their children at home but often get overwhelmed by the care. Read this story about an Illinois family’s struggle, and other families who are suing states for continuation of home care. Links to interactive databases, e.g., milestones in LTC policies with other related information are included in the article.

Findings in this report focus on what has been learned about the status of grant implementation and factors that facilitate progress early and throughout the implementation period, and progress on grantees’ goals and achievement of Systems Transformation (ST). It presents results for both FY05 and FY06 ST Grantees, builds on findings from the first annual report and focuses on two different stages of implementation for the FY05 grantees (Year 3) and the FY06 grantees(initial 15-months).