Newsletter, periodic publication

Being part of campus life, taking classes, and learning to navigate a world of high expectations develops the skills needed for successful adult life. This brief presents: definitions of "postsecondary education" and "intellectual disability"; an overview of education options; research findings on education options and outcomes; recommendations for improving access; and a bibliography with a list of websites.

Three key issues affecting the understanding of low rates of successful employment outcomes for people with mental illness are explored. These are: lack of a common definition of successful employment; lack of clear, objective, standardized data; and differences among states and programs in measuring client characteristics. Peer critiques to the data and analysis are provided along with tables comparing employment outcomes by state.

Money Follows the Person (MFP) programs only target 0.9% of the people that could be eligible for transitioning out of institutions each year. However, there is a potential to increase rates to 15-40% annually depending on quality of program implementation, who is targeted, and how successful states are in overcoming barriers to transitioning high-needs people. The report looks at grantee states’ potential for accomplishing this rate increase.

Here are demographic, employment, and income characteristics of one of the largest and fastest-growing workforces in the country. Due to this dynamic, understanding the direct care workforce is critical for effective service delivery and policy making in areas from health reform to economic growth. Key figures include job titles and responsibilities, employment status, work setting, wages and benefits.

The experience of the Cobb and Douglas Counties Community Services Boards in Georgia in shifting from a segregated traditional service system to an innovative system focusing on economic development for persons with disabilities illustrates some common aspects of system change. The 7-year organizational evolution is analyzed here. The main points that emerged are: staff development; partnerships and funding; sustainability; management and HR practices; and expanding coverage to new populations.

Models, innovations, and best practices in case management and support coordination for persons with disabilities are described here. Policy issues, the CMS Quality Framework, and types of case management and differences in service by waiver group are given. The brief also links to innovative programs in 7 states and England.

Several culture change models are well-established in skilled nursing, but how can they be adapted to home and community-based services? Here is a look at how providers are putting culture change to work for their clients, with a special emphasis on building engagement and fighting isolation for clients still living in their own homes.

While Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) began as an urban model, CMS has now provided its first grants to expand the program to rural areas. Read this article to as an introduction to three rural PACE programs that have launched in South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Montana. The article concludes with lessons learned and contact info for staff that work on these programs.

Through advocacy and support services, the Arc of Spokane promotes independence, choice, and improved quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Eastern Washington. This edition of their newsletter discusses state and county advocacy and politics, words from staff, tax advice, upcoming events, and program information. Check their website regularly for additional issues and news.

The second in a series focused on affordable housing, this issue brief focuses on developing partnerships with state finance agencies and other stakeholders. It showcases successful strategies that have expanded integrated community living for workers with disabilities. While MIG grantees, who are the main audience of this brief, are unable to use grant funds to provide housing services, they can create linkages with other programs to support the individuals they serve.