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A federal judge’s decision that the Fair Labor Standards Act applies to thousands of home care workers who had been exempt is causing providers to rethink the way they provide services. The ruling in Evelyn Coke v. Long Island Care at Home, Ltd. & Maryann Osborne found that workers who are employed by agencies or other third parties are entitled to overtime pay if they work more than a 40 hour week & they are covered by minimum wage laws & other FLSA rules, such as compensation for travel time.

When Medicaid was first enacted, payment for long-term services was made solely to institutions such as nursing homes. Medicaid now pays for a comprehensive range of home & community services that provide alternatives to institutional care. Medicaid is a flexible program but it is also a complex program. It is no surprise that there are a host of questions about what is allowable under Medicaid law and regulation. This Primer on Medicaid Home and Community Services serves as a reference guide.

The Sacramento Healthcare Decisions (SHD) engaged Medi-Cal beneficiaries in a project to identify their individual and collective health care priorities. SHD had beneficiaries use \"Choosing Healthplans All Together\" (CHAT), a computerized tool and interactive group. CHAT participants designed their Medi-Cal benefits by making choices from 14 categories of services, each with two or three tiers of benefits. Findings and policy recommendations can be found in this report.

Recent health policy shifts and practice changes have explored consumer-directed health care. The National Council on Disability decided to research & evaluate the evidence base in order to offer a clear picture of the initiatives strengths and weaknesses. This study includes a systematic review of the literature (both print & Web-based) on consumer-directed and -oriented care. The study also addresses questions and researches the variety of models, preferences, outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. Their website offers a full spectrum of information on housing, including: news, library resources, handbooks, forms, and other tools needed to buy, sell, rent or make home improvements.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published final FY 2005 Fair Market Rents (FMRs) that reflect the estimated 40th and 50th percentile rent levels trended to April 1, 2005. The FMRs determine the Section 8 payment amounts established by HUD for counties. FMRs apply to both renewal rents and initial rents for vouched programs. HUD is legally required to publish FMRs at least annually, adjusted to be effective on the first of October of each year.

On 9/29/04, the Dept of Justice announced the settlement of a lawsuit alleging a pattern of discrimination by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) against low-income people with disabilities. The agreement, the first of its kind, enforces Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations against a public housing authority. Under the agreement, HABC will change its housing facilities, programs, policies & practices; commit several million dollars to new housing; and pay damages.

This brief information update highlights the United States Department of Justice settlement of a housing discrimination suit that alleged disability discrimination by the Triumvera Tower Condominium Association in Glenview, IL. The complaint alleged the condominium association discriminated on the basis of disability by establishing a written policy prohibiting persons in wheelchairs from using the front door.

The Community Development Society provides leadership to professionals and citizens across the spectrum of community development. Members have multiple opportunities to learn what's new in the profession, to exchange ideas, to obtain the most current research and reference information available and to share professional expertise. They offer a annual conference, publications, and listservs. The current issue of CD Practice focuses on Strategic Partnering: Partnering For Change.

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is an employment program for people with disabilities who are interested in going to work. The quarterly newsletter covers marketplace news, opportunities and experiences. This Autumn 2004 issues details the new marketing alliance and offers the experience of promising practices and partnerships. The publication also has a calendar and lists all recently approved Employee Network Providers.