Real Choice Systems Change

This report provides a summary of the partnership development activities undertaken by the 52 Grantees that were awarded a Systems Change Grant in 2001. It describes the ways that Grantees involved consumers and public and private partners in the development of Grant applications and their plans for involving them in implementation activities. In addition, the report includes a more in-depth description of partnership involvement for nine Grantees (three from each Grant type).

The purpose of this report is to compare and contrast the fiscal year (FY) 2001 Systems Change Grantees’ goals and planned activities as identified in their Grant applications submitted to CMS. This report provides a summary of the goals of the 52 FY 2001 Grantees and representative examples of the various activities they plan to implement to help them achieve these goals. The report also includes a summary of States’ views of the strengths, challenges and barriers of their LTC systems.

This teleconference is designed to assist grantees that are preparing new curricula for trainings and other activities or who are engaged in the effective communication of information. Kathleen McInnis-Dittrich is the presenter for this teleconference, and she is an Association Professor in the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, where she teaches social work with elders, social work practice, and methods in professional education.

This document describes seven grants in the state of Colorado, they are: The Nursing Facilities Transitions Grant, Systems Change for Real Choices Grant, Colorado Community Personal Assistance Services and Supports Grant, Medicaid “Buy-In” Grant (NEII), Consumer-Directed Care for Elderly (CDCE), In-Home Support Services (IHSS), and Consumer Directed Attendant Support (CDAS).

Under their Real Choice grant, Arkansas developed a training curriculum for people who wish to be advocates for people with disabilities and for people who are elderly. The purpose of the Arkansas Aging and Disability Leadership Academy was to identify, train and develop volunteer leaders and educators in issues related to aging and disabilities. Academy participants will be empowered to become effective advocate leaders to represent the interest of Arkansans.

The official state website offers information and links to government, business, travel, education, environment, healthcare and employment.

The Texoma Real Choice Program--a demonstration project made possible by a grant awarded to the Texas Health and Human Service Commission by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The programs goal is to connect persons with disabilities to real service options with the help of system navigators available to assist people through systems and support groups. The below attachments are forms, surveys and other tools needed to implement the program.

Included here is a Power Point presentation of Central Texas' Real Choice Project efforts. An organizational chart of the project can also be found here.

The Town of Littleton, NH has received a $270,000, three-year grant through the Real Choice Systems Change to develop and maintain an infrastructure for the removal of barriers preventing persons who are aging and others with disabilities from fully participating in community life. This document includes a description of the grant and a power point presentation that outlines details and challenges in the development of this Model Community.

A 2002 Real Choice Systems Change grant was awarded to Connecticut Department of Social Services entitled \"Promoting community inclusion for all people with disabilities throughout the lifespan\". This document is a call for proposals from municipalities interested in being selected as a model community for the inclusion of persons with disabilities through the lifespan.