Links / Websites

This website for workers and job seekers includes easy-to-read descriptions of state, federal, and private benefit programs, paginas en Español, life situation articles, a glossary and bulletin board. There is also an interactive tool that helps users predict what would happen to benefits, in a number of what if scenarios. Calculators included: the benefits to work, job to job, school and work, Medi-Cal for working disabled, and Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS).

To assist the CMS in monitoring the Medicaid Buy-In program, Mathematica has developed a series reports and policy briefs that present quantitative measures of participation in the program. For both the issue briefs and the statistical profile, researchers built a new longitudinal person-level database on Buy-In participants that contains information provided by the states as well as data from the SSI and SSDI programs and from Medicaid and Medicare programs.

The Center for Workers with Disabilities is a technical assistance center for states enhancing or developing employment supports programs for working persons with disabilities; most of the 30 plus states supported by the Center are supporting employment supports development with Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funds established under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-170). Visit the website to learn more about the TA services, publications and events.

This curriculum to train personal assistants has two elements: a competency or skill development component and a didactic or knowledge development component. The skill development components include Connecting, Coaching, Collaboration, and Managing Crises. The knowledge development component is a web-bases curriculum entitled Personal Assistance Services for Individuals with Serious Psychiatric Disabilities.

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.

Take a look at the newly re-designed web site with a new look and feel that is more user-friendly. Visitors can find news, conferences, key issues areas, State Medicaid Director Letters, Federal Budget Information, Links to key organizations and state Medicaid agencies, publications and many other resources.

Completed over an 18 month period in 2004-2005, this project was conceived of as an activity that met the objectives of the Maine Real Choice Systems Change grant and the mission of the Maine Personal Assistance Services Association to build recognition and opportunity for the direct care, direct support, and personal assistance workforce through education, public awareness and professional development. Each story evolves out of a series of in-depth interviews and is told in the worker’s voice.

The UCare website is a feature of the Utah Department of Human services and exists primarily to help caregivers and provide link to other resources. Resources are for the elderly, people with mental illness, for people with disabilities and their caregivers. Information is available on-line and through a statewide toll free number. Other features to note include provider report cards, guides, a glossary and the long-term care planning tool.

A new database showcases the efforts of many of the TA providers serving CMS’ grantees. The database allows users to see the wide range of activities that support and enrich the grantees under the New Freedom Initiative. The database contains important information regarding existing and upcoming research products, conferences, and significant meetings as well as a wide variety of toolkits, surveys, and policy briefs, intended to be of interested to the disability and long-term care community.

An introductory course on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) explores the core concepts, legal requirements and spirit of the ADA. This 12-topic on-line course contains relative information and real-life examples, as well as self-tests, court cases plus a glossary and resources section. Topics include the purpose, structure and enforcement of the ADA, non discrimination requirements, employment, government, public accommodation, telecommunications, provisions and a course review.