Transition/Diversion from Institutions

AoA announced the availability of $5 million for these grants which provide an opportunity for States to modernize their existing efforts by adding flexible service options to help individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid to avoid nursing home placement and spend down to Medicaid, and to remain in their homes and communities. The applicant teleconference is scheduled for July 11 at 3pm. Submission of letter of intent is for July 20, 2007 and the deadline is August 24, 2007.

This report summarizes performance of CIS during its first year of operation. The program is an acute hospital diversion program that provides community-based services for youth (age 0 to 21) at risk for hospitalization or out-of home placement. During the first 12-months of program operations, nine community-based mental health agencies were certified to provide CIS services. The evaluation examines service utilization patterns and major findings while updates are provided in the issue briefs.

The Michigan Nursing Facility Transitions Initiative (NFTI) produced both a brochure and video to offer first hand accounts of their program. Meet a few of the people who the program has helped transition. View consumer stories as well as testimonials from their support specialist.

This report focuses on individuals with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The project instituted a comprehensive system to support enduring changes in the delivery of community-based assistance for Medicaid eligible persons with dementia. The projects two goals: facilitate hospital-to-home transitions for individuals wishing to stay in the community; and field test a nursing home-to-community transition program for eligible individuals. The workbook used in discharge planner training is included.

The booklet is a publication of the Louisiana Nursing Facility Transition Grant. It is a Self Assessment Transition guide to assist individuals in nursing facilities on how to start planning for a move to the community and obtaining the supports and services they will need. It includes contact information for available state programs, along with contacts for housing options.

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia will get more than $547 million in grants over five years to build Medicaid long-term care programs that will help keep people at home and out of institutions. This “Money Follows the Person” initiative was included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), currently being implemented by CMS. The press release lists the states and the amount of money committed over the next five years.

The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) presents their action plan for systems change. This Plan outlines the process of transitioning individuals with developmental disabilities from developmental centers (DCs) to the community over the next 8 years (State FY 2008 through FY 2015). The Plan addresses the requirements of state legislation (S1090, PL 2006, Chapter 61) as well as the issues in the NJ P&A Olmstead lawsuit.

This report provides an overview of 35 states’ initiatives to improve their LTC systems and includes lessons learned and recommendations that can guide states undertaking similar initiatives. Despite accomplishments and improvements, Grantees described continuing barriers including insufficient funding for home and community services; workforce shortages; lack of affordable and accessible housing and transportation; and outdated or inflexible administrative, statutory, and regulatory provisions.

These Person Centered Planning (PCP) presentations discuss how PCP allows consumers to plan for their preferences and do this throughout their lifespan. Presentations focus of the individual within his/her family and community and the relationships that affect PCP. The focus throughout is to identify personal preferences and to develop the plan for the future.

This report describes the hospital discharge planner (HDP) survey conducted in the beginning of 2006. The HDP questionnaires were disseminated to gather information about the awareness of choice and access to continuum of care services for the elderly and people with disabilities as well as to gather ideas about how to optimize choice and improve access to these services. Review the results and read about the barriers faced by discharge planners.