Community-Integrated
Personal Assistance Services and Supports
NEBRASKA
Grant Information
Name of Grantee
Nebraska
Department of Health and Human Services
Title of Grant
Quality
Assurance and Improvement Application
Type of Grant
Community-Integrated
Personal Assistance Services and Supports
Amount of Grant
$600,000
Year Original Funding
Received
2003
Expected Completion Date
September
2007
Contact Information
Mary Jo Iwan
Deputy Administrator
402-471-9345
maryjo.iwan@hhss.ne.gov
Sharon J. Johnson, Systems Change Grants
Coordinator
Aging and Disability Services
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South, 5th Floor
PO Box 95044
Lincoln, NE 68509-5026
402-471-1764
sharon.j.johnson@hhss.ne.gov
Subcontractor(s)
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Munroe-Meyer Institute
4242 Farnam
Omaha, NE 68131
402-559-5765
Target Population(s)
Consumers from the aging population and adults and
children with developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, physical
disabilities, and complex medical needs.
Goals
- Improve the delivery
system for personal assistance services (PAS) directed by trained
consumers in the management of their personal assistance needs, utilizing
the self-direction philosophy.
- Enhance the
capabilities of Adult Protective Services (APS) staff, law enforcement
agents, and the judicial system in the delivery of services to vulnerable
adults who are abused and neglected.
Activities
- Develop/purchase
materials for consumers on managing PAS providers using the self-direction
philosophy.
- Develop/purchase
materials for PAS providers on the philosophy of self-direction and its
application in working with consumers.
- Conduct 2-day conferences
for Medicaid eligibility staff, APS staff, and Aged and Disabled waiver
staff to strengthen staff ability to assess PAS needs, understand the
self-direction approach, evaluate quality providers, and support the
consumer.
- Conduct training with
providers to (1) strengthen skills needed in assessing client capability,
and recognizing medical needs/neglect, and (2) enhance the clients'
awareness of available support services and their ability to participate
in community networking.
Abstract
The original intent for our CPASS grant was to
modify our current PAS delivery system by developing an Agency with Choice
model. Nebraska
top administration is in a time of transition, which has impacted the focus of
service provision. With the approval of CMS, we have regrouped our efforts to
improve the existing PAS delivery system even though we are unable to complete
the original design. From activities thus far, we believe the PAS service
system will be more significantly enhanced by training consumers, providers,
and related staff on the philosophy of self-directed, in-home services.
It is Nebraska's
intent to
- ensure that workers
with disabilities utilize the PAS program to its fullest potential;
- increase knowledge of
the availability of PAS to support individuals in their home, community,
and workplace; and
- instill
the philosophy of client direction and responsibility in the delivery of
PAS.
Medicaid eligibility workers, PAS clients,
providers, and Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver staff will
be trained to accomplish these goals. Because APS workers are often called in
to investigate cases of individuals with disabilities living independently, we
have included them in this awareness and philosophical training to enhance
their understanding of freedom of choice in self-direction for consumers.