All States/Territories

New York has 12 long-term care (LTC) programs: two residential and ten community-based. Data from all are compiled here with the goal of informing policymaking and addressing challenges to the state’s Medicaid LTC programs. An overview of current programs and a snapshot of data such as enrollment and spending are also presented. The first chapter takes a look at the whole system and four other chapters offer data on the largest programs in terms of people served and dollars spent.

PHI developed this competency-based curriculum to help participants develop core skills needed for quality work across care settings. It provides an orientation to direct-care work and introduces needed knowledge, attitudes, and skills. It also provides training in tasks related to activities of daily living. The appendices outline the course and learning outcomes and define additional skills needed to become certified nurse assistants or home health aides.

Planning documents show how Connecticut will use a Cash & Counseling model to provide flexible service choices to keep people out of institutions. The narrative gives details such as the state’s current rebalancing status, goals and objectives, approach, challenges, service options, training and eligibility. The work plan details “Choices at Home” key tasks, lead person and time frame associated with each major objective.

Through this interactive training, family caregivers can learn about available resources and train themselves on how to deal with common challenges. Some of the resources featured are links to agencies and senior centers, care locator tools, and descriptions of helpful programs. Trainings cover how to recognize and prevent stress, improve communications with family members and service providers, and address conflicts.

The assessment helps workers determine the level of care and appropriate placement for people needing long-term services. Diagnoses, nursing care needed, level of functioning in daily activities, and mental status and impairments are taken into account. Instructions come after the tool and begin on page 5.

The conference took place in May 2009 in North Carolina and focused on the global advancement of the principles of self-determination. Presenters spoke on topics including Medicaid reform, self-directed budgeting, self-employment; quality, education, advocacy; and youth, among others. Included here are slides from talks as well as essays by the organizer on the purpose of public funding for services and challenges facing Medicaid.

Villages are a grassroots effort to address the current and unfolding challenges of an older America. Originally started in MA in 2000, the concept arose out of older community members’ desire to reside in their own homes while being able to access services that address their needs related to aging. In Village arrangements, members pay an annual fee and pool their funds to collectively purchase services. The Village-to-Village website offers resources for communities starting programs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics began publishing this data series in January 2009. It is gathered through the Current Population Survey, which began identifying persons with a disability age 16 and older in the civilian noninstitutional population in June, 2008. These materials provide information on comparisons with other data sources, variability of the data, and the types of data available. Additionally, links to historical data and alternate formats are given.

Ohio seeks a contractor to coordinate the NCI survey and related interviews involving 400 subjects. The purpose of studying the indicators is to understand service outcomes, compare Ohio to other states, align the state with the CMS HCBS Services Quality Framework, and inform strategic planning. The RFP, a schedule for proposals, blank survey forms, and a “bidder’s library” are given. Proposals are due June 5, 2009.

Meant for individuals with disabilities and entities that have obligations under disabilities law, the handbook provides basic information about disability rights and resources for finding out more. The book is in a Q and A format while the website is organized by topic. Employment, services and programs, public accommodations, housing, education, transportation, and technology and communications are all discussed.