All States/Territories

This website offers information on the range of funding sources available to State Medicaid and other agencies and stakeholders to support the development of a high quality direct service labor force. It breaks the information down into 5 categories including current, federal, state, foundation and other types of funding and includes examples of sources and strategies for funding future DSW initiatives.

Twelve states received Cash & Counseling Replication grants in October 2004. Here, the Replication States’ experiences in developing and implementing their new programs are documented in three stages: planning; design/development; and implementation/enrollment. The appendix includes summaries of the states' grant initiatives.

The three-year study examined relevant policy, program design, and cultural implications that may have an impact on enabling self-directed Medicaid beneficiaries to save money without losing benefits. Using extensive stakeholder engagement, six elements were studied: savings models; costs and benefits of self-direction; Federal tax policy; state policy context; participant needs; and an implementation plan.

Program history, outcomes and recommendation of areas for future study are summarized. The study was commissioned to compare participant demographics to another IL program; measure cost of services and administration and see what participants purchased; gauge satisfaction and unmet needs; and understand disenrollment rates and reasons.

Here is the strategic plan guiding a statewide public-private partnership meant to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The document reviews the current state of employment, the planning process, mission, priorities, and implementation and evaluation plans.

For many years, Section 1115 waivers have been used in the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, to provide states an avenue to test and implement coverage approaches that do not meet federal program rules. While these waivers have facilitated important program evolutions over time, some have also raised issues. This brief reviews the experience of Section 1115 Medicaid and CHIP waivers and discusses issues for the Obama administration to consider for the future.

Medicaid covers health and long-term care services for many millions of low-income Americans. Conversations were already underway at this event concerning the role of Medicaid as a vehicle for economic stimulus, and about health coverage expansion proposals, with particular discussion around the challenges facing states implementing the program in the recent economic downturn.

This paper provides an overview of the health coverage interventions tested by CMS DSW demonstration grantees and examines four approaches in more detail through the following four case studies:(1)Subsidizing Employer Based Insurance(North Carolina),(2)Prescription Discounts, Basic Health Insurance and Tax-Free Accounts(New Mexico),(3)DirigoChoice and Outreach to Home Care Agencies(Maine)and (4)Outreach to Consumer-Directed Home Care Workers (Washington).

A central part of consumer direction is ability of the consumer to manage the budget and decide what to purchase. Evaluation data and anecdotes are given to show how this ability influences the outcomes of program participants.

How do finance institutions and HCBS influence asset building among persons with disabilities? This article explores patterns of and barriers to utilization of banking services using a case study of an Iowa credit union that has enrolled persons with disabilities under a HCBS waiver. Although not widely used by program participants, the credit union model provides savings opportunities to purchase goods and services that facilitate independent living.