All States/Territories

What are the long term effects of MIG programs on wages? The state of Virginia evaluated the long-term impact of Vocational Rehabilitative (VR) services on employment, earnings and services provisions. Preliminary findings indicate that VR services have a substantial positive impact on future employment probabilities but very little impact on wages. A sample of this data-filled report is attached, and could be helpful to other states conducting similar studies.

What is the net fiscal impact of the IHSS Program on the public sector? The program, which is available to low-income elderly and disabled persons, provides services to recipients in their own homes and can enhance quality of life by making it easier to live at home. This report concludes that the state maximizes its net fiscal impact by targeting IHSS services to those recipients who are most likely to enter a nursing home in the absence of the program.

Find two fact sheets; the first presents occupational employment projections for the three job titles that make up the direct-care workforce: nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal and home care aides, and suggests that over the next decade, the nation’s direct-care workforce will constitute the largest, fastest-growing group of jobs in the country. The second provides a detailed overview of the demographic and economic characteristics of the direct-care workforce.

Policy makers desire a uniform assessment tool that works well for adults of all ages, but disability assessment can only be as uniform as the underlying measurement is. If ADL or IADL/ADL measures are biased by age, their use with adults of different ages could be misleading. Findings of this study indicate that as demand for community services increases among adults of all ages, an expanded IADL/ADL measure is more useful than ADL.

Where can I find employment resources, both nationally and locally? West Virginia's seeks to answer just that with a 50 page handbook full of programs and a description of resources. With an introduction covering the Americans with Disabilities Act, the handbook goes on to cover federal programs, programs specific to West Virginia, online resources, national organizations, self-employment and small business, and more. A sample copy is available below and could be helpful to other MIG grantees.

Check out a long term care option that allows individuals more choice, control, and freedom in designing their support and service plans to meet functional, vocational, medical and social needs. Consumers manage their goods and services, and may use the program to remain in their community and avoid moving into a nursing home or an institution. Explore IRIS's website and brochure.

Facilitating user accessibility on a website can turn it into a vital and frequently accessed tool. As part of West Virginia's MIG grant, two databases were added to the Center for Excellence in Disabilities website, a searchable statewide transportation provider directory and statewide employment provider directory. This system displays easily updatable resources to those looking for employment and transportation information. The links to these databases are provided.

Transportation moves people to healthcare, education and training, work, recreation, and to worship. It helps people with disabilities join their communities in work and economic activities. Ride in 55 is West Virginia's MIG grant funded program designed to maximize transportation opportunities for residents in all 55 counties and to encourage the best use of transportation resources. A link to the website is provided, and the site could serve as a template for similar programs in other states.

Find a comprehensive listing of initiatives across the country to help communities become more aging-friendly. Included in the Compendium are brief summaries of 121 community aging efforts, contacts for each, and listings organized by national affiliation and state.

Knowledge is key to making work incentive programs successful. With this in mind, the state of Washington created training curricula for those completing WIPA or the state sponsored Ben Plan Academy. The attached presentations outline, in detail, state specific Medicaid work incentives, and include links to additional resources. This training material could be helpful to other states looking for an effective training approach, or sample training materials.