Grantee produced

The following summary and white paper outline the accomplishments of Oregon's FY 2001 Real Choice Systems Change Grant. Their white paper held nine recommendations for the transformation of mental health services here in Oregon. The RCSC Consumer/Survivor Task force and other consumers/survivors have also asked that legislation be drafted that directs the Department of Human Services to develop a policy that promotes self-determination. SB 771 and HB3108 are the results of our efforts.

Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals is currently advertising for a Director to lead its newly created unit for Aging/Adult Long Term Care services. Creation of this unit is part of an exciting, larger effort to reform how the state delivers long term supports and services to older adults and people with disabilities. The deadline to apply for this position is August 6th.

From the spring of 2004 through January 2005, a series of surveys was administered to long term care workers (DCWs) and their employers in the tri-county area of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties of Michigan. The survey was designed to establish a baseline profile of the area workforce and identify potential areas for advocacy on behalf of the workforce, especially in the areas of recruitment, training and retention. This report contains survey questions and results.

The WV Real Choice Systems Change Project and WVATS are providing incentive funding to parent/family based organizations. These funds will be awarded to organizations such as Parent Educator Resource Centers, WV Parent Training and Information, Family Resource Networks and other family-based organizations to implement best practices in middle and secondary education regarding youth transition that uses a person-centered approach. Applications are due September 15, 2005.

This fact sheet offers guidance on Short-Term Case Management (STCM) using both the vision offered by AoA and CMS and the experience in Wisconsin which has operated an ADRC for six years. STCM is an integral part of an ADRC - to offer consumers information about and access to long-term supports and services in order to minimize confusion, enhance individual choice, and support informed decision-making. This fact sheet describes STCM as a philosophy of relationship development with individuals.

The Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities in Springfield, IL and Home Options, a program through Community Service Options in Chicago, receive funding from a Real Choice Grant to enhance services to people with disabilities. Each program coordinates services and funding including: pre-and post-purchase counseling, home buyer education, down payment & closing cost assistance, home modification funding, home maintenance classes, early delinquency intervention, and in-home services.

At the heart of the April 28 Forum in Griswold, CT was a presentation by Greg Ryan of CT Assets Network, Inc. Asset Based Community Development is based on the work of Kretzman & McKnight, authors of Building Communities From the Inside Out: A Path For Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets. It works on the principles that each person in the community, including people with disabilities, has gifts to offer, and can contribute their gifts & resources for mutually beneficial problem solving.

The April 5, 2005 Forum in Westport, CT was attended by 54 individuals from 9 towns. They included representatives from senior centers, public schools, police departments, social services, parks and recreation, YMCA, advocacy organizations, persons with disabilities and family members. Following an introduction by Diane Goss Farrell and an overview by the Forum facilitators, the attendees broke up into three smaller discussion groups to share ideas and experiences relating to inclusion.

The Delaware Passport to Independence goals are to: identify residents of nursing homes who may want to move to a new home; interview and assess residents for possible community living; explore if it’s feasible for some residents to transition; create an Individualized Service Plan for those choosing to be considered. They have created a number of tools during the project development including an education outreach presentation, assessment form and survey tool.

Ohio has shared its Requirements Specification for the CART Test Plan (The Comprehensive Assessment and Review Tool project). The document relates to the development of web-based applications for quality data collection. This Test Plan document supports the following objectives: Perform system testing in a stable test environment; Recommended requirements are that functional business units; validate the application continues to meet stated requirements; usage of a testing matrix checklist