All States/Territories

How can state developmental disabilities agencies minimize service interruptions while absorbing budget cuts? At a 2008 forum, directors of these agencies shared their strategies, experiences and thoughts on the topic. Those ideas are synthesized here.

The Council on Quality and Leadership offers short guides on quality elements such as accountability, service relationships, leadership, record and data keeping, human resources, and many more. Each guide provides a bulleted list of things to keep in mind or actions to complete to ensure that each element is managed well.

Recognizing caregivers' needs, many federal and state lawmakers have spent the past several years introducing legislation to provide supports to caregiving families. Unfortunately, fiscal crises and other pressing social concerns have meant that few of these proposals have actually passed or been enacted. Trends in caregiver legislation introduced in 2007 and 2008 are summarized and those that have been successful are highlighted.

As it becomes increasingly clear that a vigorous effort toward reforming the nation’s health care system will be an important part of the policy landscape in the near future, the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) seeks to ensure that health care reform efforts fully consider the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. This brief outlines NASDDDS position on this important issue.

Transitioning from school to work for youth with disabilities can be a complicated process. Sponsored by TransCen and the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, these online modules are designed to provide an overview for these young adults in transition, with a focus on work-based experiences, empowerment, health and social service linkage, family supports and interagency collaboration.

CA’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) aims to keep people in their homes by paying for personal care services approved by social workers. SB 1104 was introduced in 2004 to ensure and measure delivery of services and program integrity. The report examines whether the elements of the bill were enacted. It also describes alternative models for in-home service delivery, including the Cash & Counseling model and one wherein private companies provide IHSS. Sample timecards and handbooks are given.

In 2004, a task force reviewed Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VRE) program and recommended focusing on employment through a Five-Track service delivery model and increasing program capacity. Here, the GAO looks at how employment has been impacted, the extent to which steps have been taken to improve capacity, and how program outcomes are reported. The authors recommended adjusting financial incentives and to improve strategic planning and transparency of reporting.

The study compares monthly income for people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to local median incomes and Fair Market Rent rates for modest units across the U.S. In 2008, there were 219 housing markets in 41 states where recipients of SSI, people with long-term disabilities and virtually no assets, would have to pay 100% of their income for a modest one-bedroom unit. Ten years ago there were 44 such markets in 13 states. Policy recommendations are given to reverse this trend.

Being part of campus life, taking classes, and learning to navigate a world of high expectations develops the skills needed for successful adult life. This brief presents: definitions of "postsecondary education" and "intellectual disability"; an overview of education options; research findings on education options and outcomes; recommendations for improving access; and a bibliography with a list of websites.

The Demonstration aims to provide 75 to 100 low-income residents with rental assistance for up to 3 years as they wait for permanent housing assistance. A process map showing how a subsidy is provided, marketing materials, sample contracts, and several worksheets for gathering unit and participant information and determining assistance eligibility and amount are given here.