CMS

Seven states received a share of over $8 million in federal grants to increase awareness of home-and community-based long-term care options for people leaving hospitals who otherwise may enter a nursing home. Over $7 million of the awards will be used to develop person-centered hospital discharge planning models. An additional $574,613 will supplement grants from FY07 to Wisconsin and Alaska so they can continue their Person-Centered Planning Implementation programs for another two years.

Attached is an initial guide for use by States regarding current CMS case-management policy in light of the moratorium. This document does not represent a comprehensive list of all relevant Medicaid policy issuances, but is designed to assist States in assessing the impact of the exception included in the CMS 2237-IFC moratorium. The Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008, was signed into law on June 30, 2008. State Medicaid Director (SMD) Letters are included as reference.

Best practices in HCBS workforce development, Federal and state workforce initiatives, and research findings are highlighted in these slides and handouts. Presentations and workshops touched on wages and benefits, recruitment, credentials, peer support, policy, and more. The agenda, program, and evaluation results are also available. The symposium was hosted by the National Direct Service Workforce Resource Center May 8-9, 2008 in Baltimore, MD with support from HHS and the Dept. of Labor.

This report compares strategies of eight states engaged in strengthening consumer participation in long-term care (LTC) policy advocacy. The authors identify several tips for states to encourage consumer advocacy with the goals of increasing the efficacy and accountability of programs. This paper is part of a project funded by CMS to study ways to create a more equitable balance between Medicaid funds for LTC going to institutional services versus community-based supports.

The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 clarified which case management and targeted case management services are covered by Medicaid. The rule addresses concerns about improper billing of non-Medicaid services to the program by some states, while aiming to ensure comprehensive services that meet the needs of beneficiaries. These documents from CMS are meant to assist practitioners in understanding and abiding by these rules.

CMS has available approximately $8 million in funding to continue to support States' efforts to address complex issues in long-term care reform. In addition, CMS was also awarded $5 million for Aging and Disability Resource Center /Area Agencies on Aging grants. Applications are due no later than July 17, 2008. Please see the full solicitation for details. Also included for background is a list of FY2007 grant recipients focused on person-centered planning and state profile tools.

The Ohio MIG grantees hosted a Pathways to Employment Conference in 2006. Find a brochure with information and registration information as an example of the education opportunities promoting community employment, services and programs.

CMS was soliciting proposals to develop the infrastructure to support competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Funding is intended to facilitate enhancements to state Medicaid programs and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies, and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports. The demonstration period runs Jan–Dec 2008. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.

Youth Employment Solutions – Project YES! – is a systems change project funded by the Nebraska Health and Human Services System through Nebraska’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant. The purpose of Project YES! is to increase the competitive employment of Nebraska’s SSI, SSDI, and CDB eligible youth in transition. A summary of the purpose of Project YES! is included, and the Community Team Summary from 2006 is attached.

This report from the Illinois RCSC Rebalancing Grant, quantifies the actual expenses faced by older residents living in the community and applies it to those living in a nursing home seeking reintegration to community living. Furthermore, it hopes to identify a floor of income required to sustain community residency. The analysis should be helpful in formulating system changes for programs including eligibility standards and policies.