All States/Territories

Guidance is offered on the implementation of section 6087 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) Public Law Number 109-171. Section 6087, the “Optional Choice of Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services (PAS) (Cash and Counseling)” amended section 1915 of the Social Security Act by adding subsection (j). Guidance also applies to section 1915(c) HCBS waiver programs when states offer the self-direction opportunity and permit participants to purchase “individual directed goods and services.”

This biennial workshop was held in Baltimore, November 16 & 17. The conference offered two workshop tracks: a Strategic Track dedicated to big picture FMS issues facing state and program administrators and a Tactical Track dedicated to technical and operational issues. The IRS unveiled updated guidance specifically for participant direction Fiscal/Employer Agents and will even offered an informal, face-to-face question and answer booth. Review the presentations for further guidance.

This report is the result of a study exploring management techniques and programs States have put in place to rebalance their Medicaid long-term supportive services. It summarizes the methods, products and findings of this project then suggests conclusions and recommendations for State officials, legislators, advocates, and providers and CMS on ways to increase and improve LTSS systems for people with disabilities, enhance participant choice, and reduce reliance on institutions.

In this survey, the MetLife Mature Market Institute found that private room nursing home rates rose 3.3% to $219 per day or $79,935 per year, while assisted living also rose 3.3% on average to $3,131 per month. Home health care aides now cost an average of $21 per hour; adult day services run $67 per day. The report includes average costs for each state, as well as for several individual cities, and includes other long-term care facts about provider training and available services.

Unsure about how to best design and implement HCBS programs? This site provides technical assistance to states that may need assistance in determining which Home & Community Service authority best meet their needs, as well as assisting them in developing, evaluating and maintaing HCBS waiver programs. HCBSselfdirection.org is intended to assist state HCBS program administrators, their staff and contractors, and other state agencies involved with developing HCBS programs.

This site highlights the employment successes of people with Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) who are working in paid jobs in their communities. The purpose of these stories is to share where people work and how they got there. They are meant to be read by individuals with ID/DD, their families, and employment support professionals. The goal is to increase awareness of the full range of employment opportunities and support options available.

This resource for long-term care researchers and policy analysts, allows users to create interactive maps and tables and download all data available on the site. The goal is to allow researchers to trace clear relationships between state policies and local market forces and the quality of long-term care. Policymakers will also be able to use the information to craft state and local guidelines that promote high-quality, cost-effective, equitable care to older Americans.

In 2005 CMS funded a national evaluation by a consortium led by the RAND Corporation to study the implementation and outcomes of ten funded initiatives. These initiatives were meant to improve the recruitment and retention of the Direct Service Community Workforce. Review the report and listen to a recorded webinar where the author's present their findings.

The Alzheimer's Association, through its Campaign for Quality Care, recently released Dementia Care Practice Recommendations for Professionals Working in a Home Setting. This report is Phase 4 of the Campaign and it covers the topics covered in Phases 1-3. The evidence-based recommendations in Phases 1-3 covered good dementia care, food and fluid consumption, pain management, social engagement, wandering, falls, physical restraints, and end-of-life-care practices and issues.

NCST developed this resource to provide background information on mobility for older adults with disabilities and profiles five individuals who have successfully made the transition from personal vehicle to public transportation. The packet includes a profile template and a model release form that service providers can use to create personal profiles of senior transit users in their own communities.