All States/Territories

Designed to provide a comprehensive, searchable bibliography summarizing research on cognitive technologies, this database can be utilized by persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The database is structured to allow visitors to identify research articles relevant to their specific needs. Users can enter a specific search term or go to an \"advanced search\" page where users search by keyword, author name, journal, category of assistive technology, or other fields.

Some states incorporate caregiver support services into their programs that serve older people or adults with disabilities; in other states, it is separate with distinct eligibility criteria. Because many states are increasing HCBS funding, policymakers and administrators have a strong interest in emerging trends. This report highlights three: caregiver assessment, consumer direction in family caregiver support services, and collaborations between the aging network and the health care system.

Support brokerage is a potentially important development that can assist in enabling people to make informed decisions and promoting independence. This discussion paper from England raises a number of pertinent debate questions about the practicalities and potential difficulties of support brokerage. As we here in the US implement system transformation that includes self-determination, we can learn from the examples illustrated in these UK brokerage pilots.

The CMS Systems Change conference, Transforming Systems: Keys to Success was held April 10-12 in Baltimore. Presentations from the 2006 sessions are available in both PDF and text formats. Topics range from ideas on system transformation, stakeholder involvement, coalition building, strategic planning, sustaining systems change, and the Deficit Reduction Act. Full titles are listed in the keywords section.

Launched by CMS, the center provides information and assistance to state and local governments, policy makers, researchers, employers, workers and consumers. The Resource Center offers a comprehensive on-line database, information through a toll-free telephone number, and individualized, in-depth technical assistance for selected State Medicaid Agencies. Visit the site for best practices and other materials to increase the quality of the workforce and enhance recruitment and retention.

Granite State Independent Living (GSIL), working collaboratively with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), solicited proposals from organizations interested in becoming consumer-directed personal care services providers (PSCP). Although this RFP is a few years old, it serves as an example of how to seek out providers. Moreover CHAPTER He-P 600 sets forth the procedures and requirements for operating as an other qualified agency.

On Monday May 8, 2006, CMS hosted a New Freedom Initiative Open Door Forum that focused on Section 6086 of the Deficit Reduction Act. During the call CMS reviewed the differences between how home and community based services can be provided through the State plan and the more traditional 1915c waivers. This chart summarizes CMS’s overview of the DRA provisions.

United Cerebral Palsy conducted a holistic analysis to chart each state’s ranking and progress in creating a quality, meaningful and community-inclusive life for those Americans with mental retardation and developmental disabilities served by that state’s Medicaid program. This is part of a three-phase process that also will study top-performing states and then create state-specific action plans on how their state can improve.

This issue brief explores the continuing evolution of the Medicaid program on several fronts. It discusses the benefits and cost-sharing flexibility that is included in the Deficit Reduction Act and examines the implications for states, beneficiaries, and providers. The paper also explores recent trends in section 1115 waiver development and considers the use of waivers as a vehicle for restructuring Medicaid financing systems and for testing completely new approaches to health care delivery.

Coordinated care organizations (CCO) are an emerging person-centered health delivery system for community-based Medicaid adults with disabilities or complex chronic disease. This report develops recommendations on how states can support CCOs. The recommendations are drawn from visits to seven pilot programs in NC, MN, MA, NY, VT, WI. This report reviews the challenges the CCOs encounter in measuring quality and offers a comprehensive approach for developing an actionable measurement set.