All States/Territories

This bill, recently introduced in the US House of Representatives (HR 1264), would amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide states with additional funding for the purpose of increasing the wages for those who support people with disabilities. H.R. 1264 is designed to provide a financial incentive (additional temporary federal funding) to states to reimburse private providers for increased wages and mandated wage-related costs for specific direct support professionals.

NASDDDS is now posting online litigation articles covered in Community Services Reporter (CSR) and other publications. Litigation articles are organized by type of litigation (Access to Services, Community Placement of Institutionalized Persons, Limitations on Home and Community-Based Services, Institutional Reform/CRIPA, Death Penalty Exemption/Determination of MR/DD to be Exempt, and Miscellaneous) and then by state.

Nine presentations on ways to translate research and knowledge into improved caregiving are given here. They were first presented at a meeting hosted by the Healthy Aging Research Network in November 2008. Successful models and programs, such as RE-AIM, Alabama REACH, Savvy Caregiver Project, NYU Caregiver Intervention, and Environmental Skill-Building Program are featured. Other presentations deal with funding and policies.

The April 2005 Advanced Strategies Subgroup call hosted Leonard Sandler, law professor from the University of Iowa. Mr. Sandler presented information to the conference call participants on the development of the Easy Access Home Bill that was introduced in the Iowa Legislature in 2005. These summary notes provide an overview of the presentation and the subgroup discussion.

Review a summary report of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions that have a direct or indirect impact on the workforce caring for the elder population, explores the challenges to developing the workforce, and critiques the adequacy of the ACA provisions in meeting those challenges. The ACA acknowledges gaps in the workforce caring for the elder population. Still, its provisions are inadequate given insufficient supply in the number and types of workers.

The goal of this paper is to identify programs around the country associated with serving and coordinating the care of individuals with disabilities. CHPR conducted a literature search, a series of interviews with national experts, & a review of 6 promising practices. Included in the review: planning; implementation; eligibility; funding and authority; contracting; delivery system and services offered; care management and care coordination processes; evaluation and outcomes; and replication.

HCBS.org News CLIPS highlights the important work related to Real Choice Systems Change Grantees. In each issue, we examine a topic related to home and community-based care by providing an overview of recent papers and publications. The Spring issues provides an overview of the reports available on consumer direction and Cash & Counseling. Models of self-directed personal assistance services have been researched, reviewed and evaluated by many sources. Review the many resources available.

Making a Difference is a quarterly magazine of the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities collaborates with Georgia’s citizens, public and private advocacy organizations and policymakers to positively influence public policies that enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.

Welcome to QualityTools™, a clearinghouse for practical, ready-to-use tools for measuring and improving the quality of health care. QualityTools is sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Four content areas with tools for providers, policymakers, patients and consumers, payers and purchasers.

What has the ACA achieved over the past two years? According to the report, the ACA provides important insurance consumer protections, such as prohibitions on pre-existing condition exclusions, lifetime limits, and annual limits on certain benefits. Review a highlight of other key achievements.