All States/Territories

Learn about innovative practices that aim to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of direct-care workers. This online collection of profiles was created to help providers learn from one another. The growing collection of practices profiled are among the best examples of the “quality care through quality jobs” school of thought.

Find a link to a collection of fact sheets published by the AARP Public Policy Institute that discuss how health reform legislation specifically affects aspects of Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance and coverage, the health care delivery system, prevention, long term care options, and the primary care workforce. One specific fact sheet address how "Health Care Reform Improves Access to Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services".

Listen to a recorded webinar that analyzes the recently enacted legislation, highlighting the CLASS Act, the direct care workforce, Medicare payment for post-acute care, care coordination, and quality of care in nursing homes. It was presented by Joshua M. Wiener. Ph.D., a Senior Fellow and Program Director for Aging, Disability and Long-Term Care at RTI International.

Review a draft of VHA’s VD-HCBS Procedures including participation requirements, target population details, services and goods offered, allowable expenditures, referral and follow up processes, rate determination and construction, VAMC payments, payment rates for non-professional workers and workload reporting. VA contacts are listed. This is a working document, revised on 3/22/10.

Explore how this state deals with Assessments, Level of Care, Money Follows the Person and other policies through their comprehensive online HCBS Case Management Manual. Included are detailed information on services, units and rates, and forms. Find an online index to the manual, where each link loads a separate Word document with detailed information on the item.

According to the authors, transforming Medicaid’s LTC programs is an urgent priority given states’ challenging fiscal environment. Based on this paper’s model, more than 35 percent of a state’s budget will be needed for Medicaid by 2030, of which half will be for LTC services. The brief examines Medicaid expenditures for LTC, in both institutional and community settings, and presents ideas for consideration for states to transform their programs to help address budget constraints.

Through research, education and advocacy, AAHD’s goal is to contribute to national, state, and local efforts to prevent health complications, and promote wellness, in people with disabilities. They launched the Disability and Health Journal (DHJ), the first peer reviewed, multidisciplinary journal that focuses on these issues. The organization also publishes an informative quarterly newsletter and offers a free on-line clearinghouse through their site.

What provisions in health care reform will have the most direct impact on family caregivers? This overview discusses long-term care incentives, including the CLASS Act, Community First Choice Option, the extension of Money Follows the Person demonstration programs and ADRC initiatives. The brief also addresses care quality and coordination, and changes involving health care coverage and health care workforce development.

How can states incorporate social networking sites into their marketing? To engage business partners in new ways, the Maine MIG project built information/networking sites on FaceBook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The first use of these sites was to generate interest in their Fall Business Conference. These sites will also be used to engage business in other ways, provide information and interaction on many issues related to employment and disability. It is a model that could be useful to other states.

How are states getting the word out about benefits counseling? The state of Maine created a 'Work Incentives Planning and Assistance' website that has information about free services and eligibility, referral forms that can be printed and mailed to get an appointment, an online request-for-services form, materials for referring agencies, and resources for people with disabilities returning to work. A link to this page is available and could be a useful model for other MIG states.