Announcement/Press release

You can use this toolkit to replicate a rural transportation program. Surveys, communications with stakeholders, fact sheets, flyers, background information, and materials from a transportation summit are all included.

Seven states received a share of over $8 million in federal grants to increase awareness of home-and community-based long-term care options for people leaving hospitals who otherwise may enter a nursing home. Over $7 million of the awards will be used to develop person-centered hospital discharge planning models. An additional $574,613 will supplement grants from FY07 to Wisconsin and Alaska so they can continue their Person-Centered Planning Implementation programs for another two years.

Watch these videos to hear first-hand from direct-care workers about the services they provide. They share their thoughts on why they do this work, how they are viewed by families, friends, and service recipients, and how they deal with challenges such as discrimination and disrespect. They also provide advice on how to improve the field. The videos are available free at this website or can be ordered as a DVD or VHS with a discussion guide included.

CMS has proposed rule changes to implement Section 1915(i) of the Social Security Act. 1915(i) enables states to provide a prescribed set of HCBS to individuals that earn less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and require less than institutional levels of care. It does so without requiring waivers (as in 1915(c)), consumer eligibility for institutional care, or a cost savings demonstration. Further background information and instructions for comment submission are included.

The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 clarified which case management and targeted case management services are covered by Medicaid. The rule addresses concerns about improper billing of non-Medicaid services to the program by some states, while aiming to ensure comprehensive services that meet the needs of beneficiaries. These documents from CMS are meant to assist practitioners in understanding and abiding by these rules.

This report is about older youth that are involved in the foster care system and have disabilities and the challenges and outcomes they experience in the areas of education, employment, and other indicators of well-being. The goal is to inform and advise state and federal policymakers in improving these outcomes through better services coordination, systems accountability, leadership development, and capacity building, focusing especially on the transition to adulthood.

CMS has announced the standards effective January 1, 2008. Review the minimum, maximum and monthly maintenance figures.

HHS announced an $8.8 million investment to help states provide more affordable choices to individuals struggling to remain in their homes and communities as they age. A total of $5.7 million in federal funding was awarded to 12 states for grants for this nursing home diversion program that will improve state efforts to assist individuals avoid unnecessary nursing home placement, impoverishment and spend-down to Medicaid.

The Pennsylvania MIG project developed the Work Incentive Planning Assistance (WIPA) Program in order to promote employment among those receiving SSI/SSDI benefits. WIPA produced the following newsletter entitled “Employment Resource Guide for Persons with Disabilities”, which sought to succinctly list services available to individuals with disabilities who wish to work. Some of these resources include Family Savings Accounts and information about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

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.