Peer Supports

HCBS.org NewsCLIPS 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. This issue of NewsCLIPS highlights three new issue briefs and a new promising practice report providing various strategies that policymakers can undertake when developing and supporting each of the peer support models.

Vermont developed this brochure to introduce the Nursing Home Diversion Program to consumers.

This report summarizes available research to date regarding the effectiveness of peer support and presents State examples of peer support within three different Medicaid authorities (State Plan, 1915(b), and 1915(c)). State Medicaid Agencies and their partner mental health agencies can find guidance here for efforts to incorporate peer support into Medicaid programs.

This paper was used as a handout at a workshop, held as a catalyst for DALTCP's major new initiative to study ways to expand consumer choice and empowerment in obtaining personal assistance services.

The U.S. Department of Labor has joined with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to launch a Web-based directory to help wounded warriors identify resources available to assist them in transitioning back to civilian life. The National Resource Directory encompasses more than 10,000 services and resources, including information on benefits and compensation, education, training and employment, family ad caregiver support, health, housing and transportation, service and resources.

This brief, the third and final in a series, offers information on how services and supports delivered by peer providers could be financed through state and federal programs. Review approaches to different financing strategies for services rendered by Consumer Operated Service Programs (COSPs) and peer providers in traditional mental health agencies. Also included are procedure codes commonly used to bill and two federal funding streams currently for financing and provides examples from states.

This second brief, which is part 2 of a 3 part series, provides information on approaches policymakers may consider as they establish and support peer providers in traditional mental health provider agencies and networks. It discusses approaches to introducing the concept of peer providers to agencies, strategies for addressing staff attitudes regarding peer providers, supervising peer providers, liability and risk management, and other pressing issues for agencies that employ peer providers.

This first brief, which is part 1 of a 3 part series, aims to provide information to state policymakers on the two prominent models of peer support services (COSPs and peer providers). The brief discusses each model, provides examples of programs for each model, and offers a discussion of how policymakers might assess which model is right for their jurisdiction. In addition the document sets forth key questions for policymakers who are interested in developing and supporting these models.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) have been providing important services to individuals with disabilities since the 1970s. State Medicaid programs have contracted with CILs to provide Medicaid-funded services. This paper examines four important home and community-based services (HCBS) provided by CILs and funded by Medicaid: case management/support coordination; personal assistance services; nursing facility transition services; and equipment and home modification.

This report gathers information on Regional Council Membership. The term Quality Councils refer to stakeholders (including representatives from the state agency, family members, providers, and consumers) who convene to address improvement in the quality of services delivered to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Find out how information is shared between regional and statewide councils, costs associated with operating, accomplishments, constraints and cautions.