Links / Websites

The Departments of HHS, Labor, and Treasury issued regulations to implement a new Patient’s Bill of Rights under the ACA – which will help children (and eventually all Americans) with pre-existing conditions gain coverage and keep it, protect Americans’ choice of doctors and end lifetime limits on the care consumers may receive. Review this fact sheet, geared towards the consumer, summarizing the legislation’s impact on them.

Learn about innovative practices that aim to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of direct-care workers. This online collection of profiles was created to help providers learn from one another. The growing collection of practices profiled are among the best examples of the “quality care through quality jobs” school of thought.

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.

Through research, education and advocacy, AAHD’s goal is to contribute to national, state, and local efforts to prevent health complications, and promote wellness, in people with disabilities. They launched the Disability and Health Journal (DHJ), the first peer reviewed, multidisciplinary journal that focuses on these issues. The organization also publishes an informative quarterly newsletter and offers a free on-line clearinghouse through their site.

How can states incorporate social networking sites into their marketing? To engage business partners in new ways, the Maine MIG project built information/networking sites on FaceBook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The first use of these sites was to generate interest in their Fall Business Conference. These sites will also be used to engage business in other ways, provide information and interaction on many issues related to employment and disability. It is a model that could be useful to other states.

How are states getting the word out about benefits counseling? The state of Maine created a 'Work Incentives Planning and Assistance' website that has information about free services and eligibility, referral forms that can be printed and mailed to get an appointment, an online request-for-services form, materials for referring agencies, and resources for people with disabilities returning to work. A link to this page is available and could be a useful model for other MIG states.

Explore this toolkit, which identifies some of the best reform timelines, resources to help explain temporary high-risk pools, Medicaid and Medicare changes, reform’s impact on private coverage, provisions for small businesses, and the important state role in implementing reform. Included are an extensive listing of experts, contact information, and websites. The toolkit was based on a briefing for journalists, and a link to a webcast of this briefing is included.

How are states incorporating new media into their MIG grant training programs? Webinars allow for a cinematic, presentation like, learning experience that can be accessed conveniently online. The state of New York uses webinars to explain their programs to consumers and service providers, and made archives of these presentations available online. A link to the archives page of the New York Makes Work Pay site is provided below. These webinars could serve as a template for other MIG states.

Review an analysis of the size and characteristics of the PAS workforce during the period 2005-07. Data is available by state and nationwide and is based on a three-year combined sample of data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Data include gender, age, ethnicity, birthplace, income, and type of employment.

Explore this collaborative initiative geared towards propelling state progress in the support of a more “successful and financially secure aging experience.” The West Virginia Long Term Care Partnership seeks to bring together varied efforts to create an integrated network of thought and action, with an emphasis on collaboration and communication. Also included is a link to the proceedings of their 2010 Partner Summit, through which you can access the presentations and handouts.