Policy alerts, briefs, letters & papers

This policy brief is the third in a series reviewing U.S. studies that measured behavioral outcomes associated with the movement of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities from institutions to community residential settings. Read this brief to learn more about the trends in deinstitutionalizing across states over the past three decades and find updates on earlier reviews as it relates to adaptive behavior.

This comprehensive body of work makes a major contribution to the design and workability of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Plan. CLASS creates a voluntary, federally-administered insurance program to help individuals pay for needed assistance in a place they call home if they become functionally limited. These in-depth analyses from industry and academic experts shed light on critical issues and are pivotal for successful marketing and uptake of the program.

The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) has many concerns about “unbefriended” elderly, those who do not have any family or friends to help them. CARIE’s Legislative Committee developed a white paper about unbefriended elderly with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia to help bring attention to this group to begin to address their needs. This paper contains helpful recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and others.

The Medicaid program is a source for many innovative practices in making long-term services and supports (LTSS) available to consumers. Case management services have been integral to Medicaid community-based LTSS programs since their inception, but as the programs have grown and evolved the functions performed by case managers have changed. This brief describes current case management efforts in states and activities and policies that can enhance states’ efforts to help consumers.

The Medicaid program is a major payer for long-term services and supports (LTSS) in the United States, accounting for 40 percent of total spending for long-term services and supports. This brief highlights two important aspects of operations in states that affect access to LTSS in the community: efforts to provide accurate and timely information to consumers, and procedures to make Medicaid eligibility determinations quickly and efficiently.

Explore this brief for information on the main trends to emerge from the latest Medicaid expenditures and participant data for the three main Medicaid HCBS programs: (1) optional 1915(c) HCBS waivers, (2) the mandatory home health benefit, and (3) the optional state plan personal care services benefit. It also presents 2009 findings on the policies used in these three programs, including eligibility criteria, provider, service and waiting list data.

In March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This historic piece of legislation presents significant opportunities to improve access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. This is particularly true for homeless people and people at risk of homelessness, whose options for accessing physical and behavioral health care services, health promotion services, and chronic disease management programs have historically been limited.

As increasing numbers of older adults stop or limit their driving and consider other options for mobility, there is likely to be increased attention focused on the use of taxicabs. Taxis certainly offer the opportunity for independence and personalized service; however, there are at least two barriers to widespread use of taxis for transportation: the limited availability of taxis, and the cost of rides. Learn more about the challenges, solutions and potential strategies.

An exciting new trend in community mental health services is the increasing use of "Peer Specialists" on treatment teams serving people with mental illness. Peer Specialists use their own recovery experiences, along with specialized mental health training, to provide services that are strengths based and recovery oriented. To learn more, explore the attached presentation, article, and mentoring plan.

How is Massachusetts educating young people with disabilities and their families on employment and disability benefits? Work Without Limits created "Going To Work," a booklet designed to educate this population on issues involving employment, Social Security disability, and health benefit programs. Individuals, employers and providers can visit the Work Without Limits website to find additional resources and information.