Grantee produced

Review the screening tool and instructions for the The Live Well At Home Program Rapid Screen©, used to identify the risk of older persons for nursing home admission and/or spend down to Medical Assistance. Upon completion of the Rapid Screen© the older person will know their risk category and have a list of up to seven identified evidence-based risk factors. Background information on the project can be obtained through their website.

How can MIG programs be more successful in helping clients? One approach Oregon has taken is training its employment and residential providers, case managers, brokerages and office of developmental disability service staff. The attached presentation is one of their training tools and explains how their program works, including the benefits to both clients and brokers. The presentation provides examples that could be helpful to other states with MIG programs.

Because the MIG grant program is relatively new, flexibility is needed to help programs evolve successfully. One way Oregon has addressed changes in its program is by creating fact sheets. The attached example explains important changes in definition and introduces a new payment structure. It was provided to recipients, professional staff, stakeholders and the general public, and could be useful to other states with MIG programs.

How can constantly evolving MIG information be disseminated effectively? One way Alabama is doing this, is through their Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Newsletter. This archive of their 2009 newsletters outlines what's new, outreach and education inroads, current research studies and any changes in legislature. These newsletters provide helpful policy information which could prove useful to other states with MIG grants.

Partnering with business and the workforce system is an important part of improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The goal of the Disability Program Navigator Initiative is to achieve more seamless, comprehensive, and integrated service delivery and supports that can expand the capacity of this workforce investment system. The attached presentation is part of a webinar outlining this initiative, highlighting examples in Oregon, Maine and Virginia.

Designed to train CWICs and Case Managers, this collection of training materials gives an overview of the Alabama MIG grant, emphasizing cross-collaboration. Cross-collaboration explains how waiver service coordinators and CWICs can partner, as well as the process of making referrals, consent to share information requirements, and the role of MIG Staff. This emphasis on training collaboration could serve as a guide to other states with MIG programs looking to do the same.

Why focus on employment? Funded by Oregon’s MIG grant, this presentation stresses the importance of working for social reasons, not just financial ones. It presents the case that supported employment is an important part of improving the lives of people with a mental health diagnosis. The principles and findings described here provide information that could be beneficial to any state interested in the issues of evidence based supported employment and the research to back it up.

How can we dispel myths and create opportunities for the employment of the disabled? Oregon’s Work Incentives Network (WIN) addresses this issue in the attached presentation. Given at the 6th Annual Pacific Northwest Brain Injury Conference, as well as statewide training events for stakeholders, this presentation explains how WIN works, myths that exist about benefits and working and how to access services. While WIN is specific to Oregon, the approaches it takes could be useful to other states.

The Oregon Competitive Employment Project seeks to enhance the quality of life in Oregon by achieving, maintaining and advancing the competitive and inclusive employment of persons with disabilities. The project is funded by a four-year Medicaid Infrastructure Grant and is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The project website contains information and downloads, and could be a useful tool for other MIG grantees.

How can states more successfully facilitate the employment of their disabled population? One approach Nebraska has taken is gathering information from both clients and worksites with the help of detailed questionnaires. These forms assess the requirements of the job and the needs of the clients, taking into account such factors as transportation, learning style and mobility issues. Three samples of these forms are included here and could prove to be valuable templates for other states.