Policy alerts, briefs, letters & papers

More states than ever are re-directing Medicaid funds to keep more people out of institutions and living in their own communities and homes, and there are many approaches that states can use to accomplish this, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said August 17th in a letter to state Medicaid directors. In addition there is a link to the two previously sent State Medicaid Directors letters, which are referenced in the letter.

This paper explores the essential relationships that must exist if people are to take precedence over systems. It considers bureaucracy and its relationship to the people it purports to serve. This article serves as a nice underpinning for work on person-centered planning.

This document is a draft paper designed for consumers by the SAMHSA/RWJ grantee in the evidence-based practices project. It discusses medication management strategies for psychiatric medications, including a systematic approach and consumer involvement.

The number of people needing LTC is expected to increase much faster caregivers after 2015, putting substantial pressure on families, providers & Medicaid. We must start working towards improving efficiency & effectiveness of care delivery. This brief explains that recruiting & retaining direct-care workers requires improving the job, by means such as changing the culture surrounding the work environment as well as changing the duties, responsibilities, supervisory structure & increasing wages.

This paper discusses at some length the history of the evolution of self determination and consumer-directed supports. It contains an excellent bibliography of available references.

The attached files are the instructions for filling out the Alaska Consumer Assessment Tool (CAT) and a copy of the tool. The form was designed to be an objective tool that is easily coded. Each subsection of the manual includes the “how to complete” instructions and the time frames in which to measure the person’s abilities. The design facilitates immediate eligibility determination by the assessor.

Draft version of paper created by the grantees of SAMHSA/RWJ Evidence-based Preactices Project. This paper answers questions about supported employment for persons in recovery from a mental illness. This version is directed to consumers as an audience.

Draft version of paper created by the grantees of SAMHSA/RWJ Evidence-based Preactices Project. This paper answers questions about supported employment for persons in recovery from a mental illness. This version is directed to program leaders as an audience.

DRAFT document of the SAMHSA/RWJ project on evidence-based practices addressing the issues surrounding the importance of evidence-based practices for persons with both a mental health and substance abuse diagnosis.

Discussion paper from Psychiatric Services on approaches to having consumers and consumer advocates in recovery be supportive of incorporating evidence-based practices into practice in the mental health field.