CMS

This report briefly describes the New Jersey Statewide Respite Care Program. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) administers a state-funded, Statewide Respite Care Program providing a wide variety of services to relieve unpaid, informal caregivers from the stress of caring for older people and/or people with disabilities. The respite program customizes services to the person and the caregiver, with a focus on alleviating caregiver stress.

This report documents the State of Massachusetts’ community governing boards. These boards were established to manage service delivery as a part of a self-determination initiative for people with developmental disabilities. The governing boards – elected by people with disabilities and their families – reflect Boston’s ethnic neighborhoods and serve people with similar ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

On May 28, 2004, Glenn Stanton Acting Director of CMS’ Disabled Elderly Health Programs Group transmitted modifications and additions to the Interim Procedural Guidance for oversight of Medicaid waivers to all CMS Regional Administrators. The Guidance documents include the memo from Mr. Stanton, a diagram detailing the HCBS Waiver Quality Life Cycle and several attachments. The Guidance was updated in Feb. 2007, the link to that letter is also attached.

In fiscal year (FY) 2004, Congress appropriated approximately $40 million in funding for a new round of Real Choice Systems Change Grants. With this solicitation, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites proposals for grants totaling approximately $31 million of these funds.

CMS has revised its web-based resporting system for Systems Change Grantees. This letter, dated May 10, 2004, announces the changes made to the system and provides important information about report due dates and training calls.

CMS has announced a modification to its solicitation of proposals from states to develop Medicaid infrastructure to support the competitive employment of people with disabilities by facilitating targeted improvements to the state’s Medicaid program and/or developing a comprehensive employment infrastructure that coordinates disparate state service delivery systems. The Announcement provides complete information about the grant, including the proposal due date, award date and agency contacts.

The State of Colorado plans to initiate a five-year research and demonstration program in 2002. Participants will be able to use money that otherwise would be spent on Medicaid home health agency and personal care services to purchase in-home services from attendants they personally select, hire, and train. The model is expected to improve the quality of attendant support and decrease the state's costs of providing care.

This document describes the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Recruitment and Retention Project implemented by the Iowa Care Givers Association. This program aims to decrease turnover among CNAs who provide direct support in three Northwest Iowa nursing facilities. ICA is a member-driven association that provides education, information, support, and advocacy for CNAs, Home Health Aides, and other specialized direct support professionals.

This is a link to the CMS website, specifically to the information on dual eligibles - Dual eligibles are individuals who are entitled to Medicare Part A and/or Part B and are eligible for some form of Medicaid benefit. Find out more about the Medicare - Medicaid Relationship.

In a letter to State Medicaid Directors, CMS announced a funding opportunity under the Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment. This third-round solicitaion relects substantially more flexibility than what appeared in earlier rounds. This demonstration grant allows states to provide benefits, equivalent to those provided by Medicaid to the categorically needy, to workers who have physical or mental impairments that, without medical assistance, will likely result in disability.