All States/Territories

As part of its MIG grant, Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health & Human Services members were asked to join at least one of six workgroups. This paper is the culmination of the work performed and the recommendations of the committed group of individuals who are the Global Waiver Task Force Employment Workgroup. Seven corresponding attachments are also attached. These samples could be helpful to other MIG grantees or states looking to start a program of their own.

How do dually eligible beneficiaries affect state MIG grant programs? Rhode Island and the University of RI, College of Pharmacy produced a chart book which highlights demographics, healthcare services, expenditures and the variation in cost by settings of care for seniors and people with disabilities who were enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid between 1995-2005. Objectives and findings are included. An sample of this book is attached and could be helpful to other MIG grantees.

The Sherlock Plan is the name of Rhode Island’s MIG program. It allows qualified working people with disabilities to earn more income without the risk of losing vital health care coverage. To inform consumers about the program, they have provided a plan overview, fact sheets in Spanish and English, and more information on their "Rhodes to Independence" website. Samples of these documents and a link to the site are available.

How much do MIG states know about the prevalence of disabilities within their state? Rhode Island and the University of RI, College of Pharmacy produced a data-driven fact book addressing this. An excerpt of this fact book is attached below and could be helpful to other MIG grantees.

What are states doing to address the needs of individuals with learning disabilities in school and beyond? Utah gave the attached presentations at the Learning Disabilities Association National Conference to address the diverse services available across the lifetime of an individual with learning disabilities. They include various Utah resources and could be useful to other MIG states interested in this demographic.

Providing employers with the resources to make hiring and retaining employees with disabilities a more common practice is one approach Utah is taking to ensure more successful programs. The attached presentation to employers was given at a semi-annual Employer Workshop, to provide information and support to employers about hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. It includes information, success stories and resources. It is an approach that could be useful to other MIG states.

MIGs have a vital role to play helping to inform and educate disability and employment stakeholders about the impact of reform on working people with disabilities. This brief is designed to help MIGs in that role. It explains the new law’s expected impact on Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities, and explores the potential new Medicaid enrollment dynamics that MIGs need to consider as health care reform is implemented.

How can ADRCs increase their outreach and strengthen their relationship with diverse populations and community-based organizational partners? This brief provides an overview of cultural competence including its definition and how it can be best implemented. Also included are key demographics, barriers to culturally competent service provision, organizational assessment tools, practices and standards, and a list of cultural competence resources that may be useful for ADRC staff.

An expert explores patterns in services and spending under long-term care programs and examines the rise in HCBS, the existence of waivers from federal and state coverage requirements, and the changing populations who use long-term care services. He concludes with a discussion on the need to reduce the fragmentation and lack of coordination in LTC services by removing the divide between Medicare and Medicaid programs. Listen to the recorded webinar and find Mr. Ng’s published paper.

How are states making personal assistance services an effective reality for consumers? North Dakota created The Registry, a website designed to help connect seniors, people with disabilities, and family members using personal assistance services and various home and community based services, with available providers of HCBS such as Qualified Services Providers. A link to this site and marketing materials are attached, and could serve as templates for other MIG states.