Policy alerts, briefs, letters & papers

This research issue brief summarizes the results of an in-depth research study on participant engagement in the design and improvement of Cash & Counseling programs. It is intended to provide policymakers, program funders, advocates, and program participants with insights into the challenges faced and subsequent outcomes when developing and sustaining meaningful participant engagement practices. This issue brief aims to provide concrete recommendations based on the research conducted.

NASDDDS is now posting online litigation articles covered in Community Services Reporter (CSR) and other publications. Litigation articles are organized by type of litigation (Access to Services, Community Placement of Institutionalized Persons, Limitations on Home and Community-Based Services, Institutional Reform/CRIPA, Death Penalty Exemption/Determination of MR/DD to be Exempt, and Miscellaneous) and then by state.

Nine presentations on ways to translate research and knowledge into improved caregiving are given here. They were first presented at a meeting hosted by the Healthy Aging Research Network in November 2008. Successful models and programs, such as RE-AIM, Alabama REACH, Savvy Caregiver Project, NYU Caregiver Intervention, and Environmental Skill-Building Program are featured. Other presentations deal with funding and policies.

These six bulletins provide guardians with answers to frequently asked questions about changes to law that created the ICF Restructuring initiative requiring that community plans be developed for residents of ICF-MRs and that these placements be reviewed by courts annually to determine the most integrated, least restrictive setting for people with developmental disabilities.

This issue of Fundamentals describes Medicaid waivers and how they are generally used by states. It also describes the various types of waivers currently operational in California. The paper offers a broad overview of Research and Demonstration Projects—Section 1115 Waivers; Program Waivers— Section 1915(b) and 1915(c) Waivers and Section 1915 (b) and (c). Review the matrix which summarizes the difference.

To date, published information about person-centered care in assisted living has been sparse. This paper presents a comprehensive framework about what is needed to support person-centered care outcomes based on evidence-based practices obtained through a broad review of peer-reviewed and grey literature. This informational guide is an important resource for consumers, caregivers, and professionals.

The Background Paper by the Evidence-Based Subcommittee of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health has been released. After reviewing the opportunities created by the evidence-based practice approach, as well as some of its limitations, this paper describes a series of current initiatives in implementing evidence based practices. It also covers the importance of having an infrastructure for supporting that implementation activity.

An FMS Membership Issue Brief Summary, this issue brief presents existing fraud detection and prevention methods that directly address a selection of the recommendations offered in the 2012 report Personal Care Services: Trends, Vulnerabilities, and Recommendations for Improvement released by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG).

This bulletin reviews policy when Medicaid funding is available for certain administrative costs related to activities conducted by state Long Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) programs that benefit the state's Medicaid program. It also summarizes the basic requirements for Medicaid administrative claiming of LTCO program activities and provides a link where states and LTCO programs can find more information regarding specific program activities that may be eligible for Medicaid administrative funding.

This summary draws attention to some of the most important aspects of CMS’s recently released guidance for states and stakeholders on the use of managed care for long-term services and supports (MLTSS) as well as transitioning LTSS providers into managed care systems and developing MLTSS programs. CMS identified 10 important elements that should be incorporated into managed LTSS and this document can assist consumers and their representatives in understanding these elements.