Assessments

These position papers completed by a work group result from the Real Choice Consumer Work Group's determination to improve the lives of people with disabilities in West Virginia and to contribute to their own recommendations and strategies on major issues. This compilation of papers address: Waiting Lists; Strengthening Personal Assistance Programs in West Virginia; and Expanding the Horizons of Employement Options for West Virginians with Disabilities.

This statewide community-based participatory action research study was conducted to identify opportunities and barriers for persons with disabilities in obtaining accessible, affordable housing in West Virginia. Using surveys and a facilitated group technique, persons with disabilities identified existing barriers and developed a set of questions for housing industry professionals. This article was published in \"Housing and Society\" the journal of the Housing Education and Research Association.

This unique and innovative handbook is a guide for educators, providers, support people and/or family members to use as they work closely with youth and adults with significant disabilities, mentoring them as they develop and practice self-advocacy skills that will promote the highest level of independence and success in life activities.

This plan describes fundamental changes that states have implemented and found effective in controlling the public costs of long-term care while insuring that people receive quality services of the type, and in the settings, that they choose.

What do people considering enrolling in a self-directed program need to consider? This presentation describes many of the considerations in detail for those living in Louisiana. The New Opportunities Waiver (NOW) is the service delivery option offered by the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities. The slides offer an overview of key components and responsibilities of self-direction.

SAIL, the Service Access and Information Link is an example of a web-based screening and application tool that allows Maryland applicants to complete a series of questions to help them decide which social services benefits to start an application process for. Consumers can start an application online for more than 9 programs, complete a redetermination, report changes and print verification forms. Organizations can become community partners to help customers apply for benefits.

The National Health Policy Forum Issue Brief provides information about Systems Change grants and the kinds of activities state Medicaid agencies have undertaken to transform their institutionally based systems. This brief raises critical policy questions related to public spending for long-term care in different settings that might be considered in tandem with future grant funding decisions.

This targeted Tools Update/Addendum is intended to compile information about states' efforts to transition individuals with Mental Retardation or Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) from Medicaid funded facilities into the community and to provide support services to these individuals using techniques compatible with the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration program that has been created by the Deficit Reduction Act.

This manual has been developed to both document the Fulton County point of entry (POE) experience and to offer help to others through the process of establishing a POE. Fulton County referred to as Central Assessment and Placement (CAP) may be viewed as a pilot project that can serve as a model for other groups to use in developing a POE system that fits into their local long-term care system.

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.