Reports

Developed by the MI–CEO Grant, a report on the employment of people with disabilities in Massachusetts intends to provide people with disabilities, advocates, policymakers, researchers and other interested parties an overview of the status and trends in employment of people with disabilities. Another report uses new longitudinal, person-level data to support the analysis of the Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) programs in Massachusetts.

Each day, decisions affecting residents’ ability to age successfully in their communities are made by housing officials, transportation planners, planning and zoning specialists, parks and recreation officials, and economic development leaders. This guide provides local leaders with tools to build collaborations, a quick-reference kit for practitioners looking for tools, resources, best practices and it also includes a topic-specific list of studies, articles, and leading organizations.

States now have more discretion in changing Medicaid policies; consumers and advocates want to make sure they have a voice in that. This AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper examines the processes states have in place to solicit public input into Medicaid policy changes developed and implemented through Section 1115 waivers or State Plan Amendments (SPAs). Recommendations are offered on how federal and state governments can improve or enhance existing opportunities for public involvement.

According to a report by the Kaiser Foundation, Medicaid has become the major payer for long-term services and supports to low-income individuals, and a safety-net for those who become impoverished as a result of long-term care needs. In addition to concerns about the high costs of long-term care, recent developments have drawn attention to challenges facing Medicaid as a provider of long-term care. This paper describes these challenges and other issues facing the Medicaid program going forward.

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) monitored 23 state vocational rehabilitation agencies in fiscal year 2007. These agencies, their stakeholders, and RSA identified promising practices that promote youth with disabilities transitioning from school to employment. Summaries of these practices are on the U.S. Department of Education’s website and include examples of leveraging resources, college and career preparation programs, and collaboration and partnerships among other practices.

This report from the Illinois RCSC Rebalancing Grant, quantifies the actual expenses faced by older residents living in the community and applies it to those living in a nursing home seeking reintegration to community living. Furthermore, it hopes to identify a floor of income required to sustain community residency. The analysis should be helpful in formulating system changes for programs including eligibility standards and policies.

This report reviews issues integral to the employment of people with disabilities. It has two broad aims: 1) to summarize existing knowledge regarding employment of people with disabilities; and 2) to present new information on the perspectives of employers, people with disabilities, and disability specialists on key barriers and facilitators of employment. The National Council on Disability offers recommendations to supplement best practices and existing public policies and initiatives.

The guide is based on the lived experiences of consumers who participated in uncharted waters with States during the Real Choice Systems Change initiative. It was written to demonstrate that partnerships can and do work effectively.

The focus of this grant is youth in the child welfare system ages 15–21 years with significant emotionally based problems. The goal to ensure that the “aging out” foster youth, transition into adult support and services smoothly and appropriately - focusing on the youth’s choice of living environment, provider of service, and quality care. The project was funded Sept. 2004-Sept. 2007. Review the projects goals, activities, status, core elements, gains and challenges, and steps to moving forward.

Two different reports assessed the MA C-PASS activities. First, an independent evaluation of the goals and accomplishment, information gathered from structured interviews. The second report is a ‘self-evaluation’ from the Coordinating Council who evaluated their own performance. Review the findings on self-determination, the planning process, the barriers encountered and goals achieved.