Consumer/Participant Direction

Explore the use of social marketing principles to enhance enrollment in the C&C Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE). In this study, focus groups were conducted in Arkansas and Florida. Several lessons emerged from the findings including the importance of conducting process evaluation activities early during program implementation, carefully selecting and training personnel to conduct outreach and enrollment activities, and developing specific messages to include in marketing the cash option.

Review this article addressing family policy questions that are often asked about consumer-directed services. Issues such as quality, suitability, and fraud and abuse are examined. Elder consumers and their caregivers who participated in the Arkansas Cash and Counseling program were interviewed. Analysis of responses demonstrates how this model can address both the needs of consumers with diverse disabilities and policy makers.

Review this series of handouts that discuss key considerations for program planners and managers and staff involved in options counseling. Core competencies identified and detailed are: determining the need for options counseling; assessing needs, values and preferences; understanding and educating about public and private sector resources; facilitating self-direction/self-determination; encouraging future orientation; and following-up. Additional resources are offered for each core competency.

Review a draft of VHA’s VD-HCBS Procedures including participation requirements, target population details, services and goods offered, allowable expenditures, referral and follow up processes, rate determination and construction, VAMC payments, payment rates for non-professional workers and workload reporting. VA contacts are listed. This is a working document, revised on 3/22/10.

Explore how this state deals with Assessments, Level of Care, Money Follows the Person and other policies through their comprehensive online HCBS Case Management Manual. Included are detailed information on services, units and rates, and forms. Find an online index to the manual, where each link loads a separate Word document with detailed information on the item.

Find useful tools to help you advocate for participant-directed services. This toolkit offers a “Budget Myths Chart” highlighting common myths, counter-arguments, and important facts to make your case, and other helpful tools including personal stories, reports on involving program participants, and tips and examples of opinion articles suggested by policymakers and advocates.

Review a presentation developed for a training session for AAA-based Care Consultants with the Washington Veteran Directed Home Services program. It provides an overview of participant direction, and detailed instructions for care consultation including enrollment, assessment, creation of the the Participant Spending Plan, financial management services, and ongoing coaching and support for the participant. Slides also address myths and concerns associated with the change to traditional services.

New job descriptions and titles are being developed to focus on the needs of individuals for activities such as support coordination, brokerage and personal resource management. This report helps to define the concept of “support brokerage” as it relates to persons with developmental disabilities. It addresses issues such as conflicting interests, self determination and structural requirements.

Are you looking to develop resources for a Veteran-directed HCBS program? Find materials developed for Southern Maine’s program, including a marketing brochure, a detailed guidebook defining concepts such as self-direction and financial services, forms and instructions for emergency backup, safety and prevention strategies, care plan development and budget worksheets, and detailed information and forms to help veterans in their role as an employer.

Looking for samples of MIG program training materials for consumers? The state of New York created a series of informative guides to educate New Yorkers with disabilities about their programs. These reports cover areas such as the earned income tax credit, how to build assets with a plan for achieving self support, and the impact of earnings on supplemental security income benefits. Samples are attached and could serve as guides to other states looking for clear, well designed models.