Manuals

One way Indiana communicates with HCBS waivers consumers is via this document. Updated periodically, it describes available waivers and what services they cover, eligibility requirements, quality assurance mechanisms and the rights of the consumer. It also provides instructions for applying, contact information for other HCBS resources, and tips on choosing good providers. The guide comes with a feedback and evaluation survey.

How do you explain the long-term system and benefits available in your state to consumers? Use these resources from Arizona as examples of how to communicate to people with developmental disabilities their choices, rights, and responsibilities. Also covered are eligibility requirements, application instructions, and contact information of local offices.

Wisconsin uses MIG funds to increase integrated employment using strategies such as vocational planning, peer support, social enterprises, and self-employment. The first resource here presents best practices in integrated employment from 23 states. The rest are manuals and training materials for replicating vocational planning, social enterprise, and self-employment programs.

The University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies created a web-based curriculum to provide helpful information on social, emotional and behavioral health problems in youth for parents/caregivers and also for the children/youth. The program can be used in individual family sessions, multifamily groups or in a school setting. The website offers a host of practical guides and handouts for families, therapist topics and session guides.

The goal of this copyrighted program is to help those facing the most significant challenges to employment to gain economic self-sufficiency. The two-tiered “train the trainer” strategy includes career development curriculum for counselors to develop necessary skills. Counselors then conduct workshops with customers to develop portfolios of skills and strengths. Resources available here include the proposal, an introductory presentation and brochure, and trainer and participant manuals.

This guide is a supplement to ABCs of Nursing Home Transition: An Orientation Manual for New Transition Facilitators. The two guides are meant to be used together. This second guide, gives greater detail on one of the most challenging aspects to the transition process—locating and securing housing that meets the individual’s needs and preferences so that the transition can be completed. The Appendix offers tools for housing specialist and consumers including checklists and how-to fact sheets.

Find here examples of communications used to answer questions about eligibility and the application process for waiver programs. The first handout summarizes the three levels of financial eligibility and strategies for helping an individual maintain benefits. The second resource, a training presentation, provides this information in more detail and uses an anecdotal character to walk through the requirements. Finally, the chart illustrates basic eligibility requirements in a simple chart.

Time-limited grants and categorical funding keep providers in the position of searching for funds to cover expenses. Sustainability is about maintaining programs after funding ends and ensuring the organization has become a permanent part of the community. This toolkit contains tips and planning worksheets within six booklets: strategic planning, organizational assessment & readiness, effective marketing strategies, financial management, fund raising & development, results-oriented evaluations.

Flexible Choices (a Cash & Counseling program) is a consumer or surrogate directed home and community based option. The program offers consumers a cash-value allowance with which to purchase their care. Working with a consultant the individual develops a budget which details expenditure of the allowance. This procedure from the Vermont’s LTC program manual details what is allowable for purchase. As states consider the idea of allowing purchased goods and services, this list serves as a guide.

This booklet, through Arkansas’ “Choices in Living” aging and disabilities resource center, profiles the home and community-based long-term care (LTC) options available in the state. Older adults, people with disabilities, families and support workers can determine which of the five profiled programs are best for them based on eligibility criteria and scope of coverage.