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HCBS.org News CLIPS highlights the important work of Real Choice Systems Change Grantees. In this issue, we have interviewed Dawn Lambert in Connecticut to discuss the key strengths and challenges faced during program implementation of their Nursing Facility Transitions to Independent Living Program. Find out the program basics, success strategies, stakeholder involvement techniques and the options for sustainability.

The Compendium contains basic information about each of the Real Choice Systems Change Grantees. The Compendium will help you learn more about how these grants will be used to allow more people of all ages with a disability or long term illness to live and participate in their communities. Real Choice Systems Change Grantees will also find the Compendium useful to identify other Grantees with similar goals and activities. The fifth edition of the Compendium replaces all previous editions.

A number of autonomy-compatible vehicles exist for people with disabilities and their families to exercise choice and control over resources; however, many programs are complex to navigate and vary from state to state. In shaping a savings program, benefits planning seems to be a likely ingredient. This report illustrates why LIFE Accounts holds great promise as an adjunct to other permissible approaches for the accumulation of assets that lead to increased independence and social participation.

The Pre-SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) Data Form will be used by Oregon to capture, evaluate and report outcomes for the SOAR Technical Assistance project. The purpose is to monitor improvement, as a result of SOAR training, in accessing SSI and SSDI benefits for eligible people disabled by mental illness.

Essentials of Housing Teleconference was held with Guest Person, Stephen Gold, regarding a systems change strategy to provide training with regards to the largest housing programs in the nation with a focus on recipients of SSI. These included: 1) low-income housing tax credit program, with nearly $600 billion available annually for units, and 2) the HOME Partnership program, with $1.4 billion available annually. Jay Klein facilitated this call.

This is the final report and recommendations from the Colorado Quality for Equality (Q4E) Committee, a collaborative process involving Medicaid consumers, Department staff, providers, regulators, advocates and other interested stakeholders. The Q4E Committee's work found three recommended activities including Complaints Program Website Improvements, Case Management Client Satisfaction Survey and Secret Shopper Pilot Project.

The Dept. of Health Care Policy & Financing awarded four grants totaling $125,000 to improve services to rural residents with disabilities in the areas of non-emergent medical and specialty transportation, adult day and mental health services. The programs are designed to remove transportation barriers, to increase the availability of psychiatry and to provide adult day services. This report summarizes program outcomes, analyzes the opportunities and challenges and outlines the lessons learned.

What kinds of items would people enrolled in Medicaid like to save for? This is a draft version of an upcoming survey created by the Wisconsin LIFE Accounts grantees. The purpose of this questionnaire is to learn how consumers are managing their Medicaid services and to gather opinions on what items people choose to save for to improve their quality of life. A LIFE Account is a savings program that would allow you to save more than the current $2,000 asset level for Medicaid.

Where are the ADRC pilot sites and what have they accomplished? A new handout provides an easy overview of the projects and their target population(s). A new one page fact sheet explains recent activities based on information provided by grantees through the Semi Annual Reporting Tool (SART).

This website is designed to provide information on the latest research, model programs, and policy issues pertaining to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It describes training and technical assistance opportunities, conferences, and available resources. These resources are available in various formats (written products, videotapes, CDs) and many can be downloaded at no cost. Register for their ADDVantage Newsletter.