Promising practices

The Center for Personal Assistance Services has prepared this case study of the Washington state Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS) program. This report first presents an overview of the states characteristics, and then reviews the Medicaid program and management of HCBS programs including the personal care in waivers. The primary focus is on the organization and management of the Medicaid PCS optional state plan program. The report highlights eight best practices.

There is significant concern over high turnover rates among direct care workers providing in-home care. This paper describes “research in progress” of a 3-year field study examining relationships between interventions and measures of job satisfaction and turnover. Economic and non-economic interventions were introduced to a population of nearly 700. Preliminary findings suggest that job satisfaction increases not only from workers’ participation in, but simply their awareness of interventions.

This is the first newsletter of the National Core Indicators (NCI) program. The publication is designed to keep you abreast of developments and best practices in performance and outcome measurement as exemplified in initiatives among NCI participants. Issue 1, Volume 1 explores Self-Advocates in Vermont, Surveys used in California and Pennsylvania, and a new video from Kentucky called \"Team Up for Success\".

This report analyzes survey data to describe the characteristics of two groups of nursing home residents who are 65 years or older: those discharged back to the community over a one year time period and those who remain in nursing homes longer than 90 days. As some states turn their attention to returning nursing home residents to the community, this report offers insights on who to target in transition programs and what level and types of community resources are needed.

Recovery is the focus of the just released July/August 2005 issue of the SAMHSA/CMHS publication \"Mental Health Transformation Trends\". It includes articles on the following: + Recovery is Happening + State Profile: Ohio Finds Transformation Requires Shared Leadership and Capacity for Change + Federal Partner Spotlight: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services + Consensus on Recovery Achieved + Self-Direction: Consumer Choice in Action

Over the last decade states have made committed efforts to support individuals living at home with families. One example is the Illinois Home Based Support Services Program (HBSSP) which is a model consumer-directed program for adults with developmental disabilities and their families. This program families with an individualized budget of approximately $1,500 per month to design and direct supports. This paper evaluates the model and answers questions about service utilization.

This fact sheet offers guidance on Short-Term Case Management (STCM) using both the vision offered by AoA and CMS and the experience in Wisconsin which has operated an ADRC for six years. STCM is an integral part of an ADRC - to offer consumers information about and access to long-term supports and services in order to minimize confusion, enhance individual choice, and support informed decision-making. This fact sheet describes STCM as a philosophy of relationship development with individuals.

As the nation moves toward a recovery-oriented, consumer-and family-driven mental health system, it is vital for all of us to stay involved, informed, and invested in the challenging process at hand. As a periodic briefing, Mental Health Transformation Trends is an important tool to keep our partners and ourselves up to date on emerging issues, practices, and trends in transformation. The premiere issue contains state profiles, partner spotlights, news and resources

Transformation is happening. From California to Connecticut, promising models of transformation in behavioral health are being developed and piloted. The latest issue of the SAMHSA/CMHS publication includes information on:<br>+ Connecticut Transforms Its System of Care Toward Recovery<br>+ Federal Partner Spotlight: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<br>+ SAMHSA/CMHS Identifies Key Priorities<br>+ State Teams to Get Help on Mental Health Transformation<br>+ Leadership is Everyone's Business

The Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities in Springfield, IL and Home Options, a program through Community Service Options in Chicago, receive funding from a Real Choice Grant to enhance services to people with disabilities. Each program coordinates services and funding including: pre-and post-purchase counseling, home buyer education, down payment & closing cost assistance, home modification funding, home maintenance classes, early delinquency intervention, and in-home services.