All States/Territories

How can you shape programs and direct funds to use the power of self-direction in employment programs? This resource presents two examples of states that have achieved this. It also discusses characteristics of and barriers to facilitating consumer direction in employment.

How can participants in consumer-directed programs connect with and hire care workers? In Arkansas, they can consult this web-based directory that is free for consumers and applicants. Worker names, availability, expected wages, services provided, and contact information are all provided.

About 52 million people provided family caregiving worth about $375 billion in 2007. That amount exceeds Medicaid long-term care spending in each state. Caregiving services included in the estimate are personal care, help with everyday tasks, and health-related interventions. The document presents data nationally and by state and concludes with policy recommendations to support and sustain family caregivers.

Everything from program structure, eligibility, services, financing and expenditures are covered here in concise summaries. This updated edition also contains graphics showing expenditures by service and the growth of Medicaid acute care spending as compared to private health plans. The tables at the end present data broken down by state. Refer to the 2007 version for historic perspective.

In Empowering Arizona’s Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (EAzI), consumers actively contribute to quality improvement as interviewers, interviewees, and focus group participants. Four focus groups were used to learn what criteria consumers use to judge the quality of HCBS. Aside from the report, there is also a flyer and website used in recruiting EAzI participants. The website has a way to get information in Spanish and an online application.

Use these training materials to help people with disabilities become skilled employers. The booklet provides specific information about consumer-directed options in Arkansas. The curriculum presents workshops that introduce the consumer direction model and develop abilities related to finding, hiring and supervising employees. Notes for the trainer and handouts are provided for each module.

The Older Americans Act (OAA) requires states to submit a Plan on Aging every 1-4 years focused on reforming long-term care to help keep older people independent. Arkansas presents information on their organization, programs, goals, funding, and people served. Their plan covers areas including Cash & Counseling, Money Follows the Person, transportation planning, disaster preparedness, and others.

This website directs people on how to find information related to aging and disabilities resources in AK using the phone or email. A list of topics for which one can find information is included, as well as documents about services eligibility. Also included here are directions to using the program that were written as a column in the publication "Aging Arkansas."

One cause of direct-care worker turnover often cited by the workers themselves is inadequate job preparation. PHI developed a training approach over two decades that emphasizes interactive techniques which are more effective in training workers in communication, problem solving, and work readiness skills. This guide outlines learner-centered training and provides educators with tools to implement the principles in their own programs.

States can use this in the development or improvement of their own protocol for reviewing sites that deliver Medicaid and grant funded services. The purposes of the reviews are to ensure compliance with regulations, assist in development of policies and procedures, and identify potential areas for training and program improvement. Protocols are organized by review method and specify which indicators are measured, source of data to be gathered, and example inquiries.