Rhode Island

Soliciting proposals from qualified organizations to obtain necessary start-up funds in order to become fiscal/employer agents for a Medicaid Cash & Counseling program (PersonalChoice) for adults with disabilities and elders. Such services are expected to be provided on behalf of approximately 450 such Medicaid recipients by the end of the project in September 2007.

Rhode Island has developed tools to help determine a PersonalChoice participant’s goals. A Goals Summary worksheet, along with a completed sample worksheet and worksheet directions, are available here.

This list of approved and prohibited purchases was created for Rhode Island's PersonalChoice program.

Rhode Island’s Participant Guide includes general information about the program and details about roles and responsibilities. The guide includes sections on getting started with the program, completing spending plans, addressing personal issues, and managing emergencies.

This assessment is designed to help participants identify any barriers that prevent them from accessing or moving about their primary residence. The assessment aids in the development of goals related to their ability to perform their Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.

This functional assessment tool is designed to provide a user-friendly method to determine an applicant’s personal care assistance needs. The assessment helps to establish the individual monthly budget and identify the applicant’s goals.

This assessment is designed to determine the level of understanding that the participant has in terms of his/her disability and resulting functional impacts and any possible complications that may result. It is also intended to provide an opportunity to educate the participant on the medical aspects of his/her disability and identify opportunities for further education.

Rhode Island’s Quick Start Guide is designed to give participants an overview of the PersonalChoice program and their roles and responsibilities. The guide includes information on service and spending plans, communication tips, and information about working with PersonalChoice support agencies.

This issue brief, developed by the National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services, examines the impact of the purchase of goods and services on participants. The brief uses information collected from project staff and program participants from the Cash & Counseling demonstration.

A summary from the June 2001 symposium titled, “Independent Choices: A National Symposium on Consumer-Direction and Self-Determination for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities”. Major themes and outcomes are highlighted based on the dialogue from the various speakers including policymakers, program administrators, consumer advocates, service producers, and researchers.