West Virginia

To help States build the infrastructure needed to remove barriers and create more consumer responsive LTC systems, CMS awarded $70 million in Real Choice Systems Change Grants. Fifty-two Grants were awarded in Sept. 2001 (25 Real Choice, 10 Community-Integrated Personal Assistance Services & Supports, 17 Nursing Facility Transition). This report describes the progress FY01 Grantees have made on their activities during the first year of the three-year Grant period (Oct 1, 2001-Sept 30, 2002.)

The Compendium contains basic information about each of the Real Choice Systems Change Grant awards in FY03–FY04 plus the Family to Family and Systems Transformation Grantees awarded in FY05 and FY06. The Compendium will help Grantees identify others with similar goals and activities. Learn more about how the 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. The sixth edition replaces all previous editions.

A new database showcases the efforts of many of the TA providers serving CMS’ grantees. The database allows users to see the wide range of activities that support and enrich the grantees under the New Freedom Initiative. The database contains important information regarding existing and upcoming research products, conferences, and significant meetings as well as a wide variety of toolkits, surveys, and policy briefs, intended to be of interested to the disability and long-term care community.

This is the latest newsletter of the National Core Indicators (NCI) program. The publication is designed to keep you abreast of developments and best practices in performance and outcome measurement as exemplified in initiatives among NCI participants. Issue 1, Volume 4 is a special issue dedicated to Member Profiles. Review the summaries for twenty-three states plus the Regional Center of Orange County in California.

A public voice for caregivers, the Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) offers information education, services, research and advocacy programs to support and sustain the vital work of families caring for loved ones. The website offers fact sheets, audio archives, referrals, newsletters, issue briefs and reports. A newly updated resource map called Caregiving Across the States allows state administrators, policy makers, and caregivers to access state-by-state data from an interactive database.

WV Real Choice worked in collaboration with other agencies and organizations to create improvements in long term support systems so persons with disabilities and/or long term illnesses can make their own choices and have the necessary supports to live and work in their communities. The grant worked on many recreation activities including the attached guide (and web version) created to list accessible recreation sites, features and locations of destinations for state residents and visitors.

WV Real Choice worked in collaboration with other agencies and organizations to create improvements in long term support systems so persons with disabilities and/or long term illnesses can make their own choices and have the necessary supports to live and work in their communities. The grant worked on many housing activities. Their products include a housing guide, information briefs, brochures, press release and PSA created by the program to explain and address housing needs.

WV Real Choice worked in collaboration with other agencies and organizations to create improvements in long term support systems so persons with disabilities and/or long term illnesses can make their own choices and have the necessary supports to live and work in their communities. One way the grant accomplished systems change at a grassroots level is by funding innovative community-based model projects. Review program materials including the RFP flyer and a project process questionnaire.

This grant provided people with knowledge and resources concerning their rights and choices and educated key agencies throughout the state. This report provides an overview of grant activities include the Real Choice Speaker’s Bureau, training sessions and conferences. Trainings were conducted at over 40 Department of Health and Human Resource offices and 20 for the Division of Rehabilitation Services. Three conferences (Transitions, PATHS and People First) were also conducted.

The Real Choice Systems Change grant created a turn-key curriculum to promote inclusive community support for West Virginians of all ages and all disability types. Accessible curriculum addressing advocacy, community living, self-determination and transition was developed for the public, health care and social service providers, administrators and policymakers. A writing retreat was held to create the document and the outcomes and curriculum index were made available in electronic format.