Promising practices

This cross-disability synthesis white paper presents an overview of direct service workforce (DSW) challenges and practices across sectors and provides a call to action regarding these issues. Little has been written about how DSW jobs vary by population served. Beyond demographics and challenges, the authors also examine the development of different service models, promising practices and areas for planning and action. The appendix catalogs core competencies for each group.

This report summarizes available research to date regarding the effectiveness of peer support and presents State examples of peer support within three different Medicaid authorities (State Plan, 1915(b), and 1915(c)). State Medicaid Agencies and their partner mental health agencies can find guidance here for efforts to incorporate peer support into Medicaid programs.

This document contains best practice examples and ideas for follow-up policies. Aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs) are required to have a written policy describing when and how they will follow-up with people that contact them for information and assistance. The policy helps determine outcomes and provides additional assistance when needed.

This report examines common barriers that mental health consumers face in accessing transportation and provides emerging best practices for overcoming these barriers. Successful strategies include expanding access to existing public transit as well as providing specialized transportation. They encompass urban, suburban, and rural settings. The report also lists potential funding sources and recommendations for developing transportation initiatives.

Here is a brief profile of an innovative program that combines palliative care with employment services to help people with chronic pain acquire or keep employment. Learn how core teams of nurses, social workers, and pharmacists coordinate healthcare services and provide referrals to employment services. The profile examines the history and development, program goals, funding, and keys to success of the program.

Medicaid exception trusts are generally exempt under federal law from the usual rules of counting trust income and resources. A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a type of exception trust established by certain third parties for the benefit of a disabled individual under age 65. This report highlights examples of state laws, forms, eligibility rules, and operating practices states use to properly administer the statutory SNT provision and make recoveries.

The authors offer recommendations for providing successful career preparation support to youth with mental health needs. They studied five successful programs to identify common design features that address frequently identified challenges in transitioning to an independent adulthood. They also offer analysis of systems level factors affecting program design and sustainability, in addition to recommendations for staff and policymakers.

This guide identifies special skills needed specifically in the care for patients with dementia. The document is organized by competency areas, allowing direct care workers or trainers to focus on areas of improvement. Additional resources are also listed by competency areas as well as in alphabetical order and are complemented by a glossary and notes for trainers and supervisors.

RE-AIM, a framework for program developers, planners, and evaluators to use to translate research into practices and policies that maintain the health and quality of life of caregivers. This monograph argues that this issue should be a public health policy priority, summarizes RE-AIM, provides policy and program scenarios for using the framework, and list resources and tools. The report is available in six parts here or as one document from the website.

Find thirteen examples of state level legislation that improve the wages, collective bargaining rights, or insurance of personal care workers and home health aides. The report also includes graphics illustrating workforce trends and a list of potential best practices that were not passed into law in their respective states.