Systems Change Grants for Community Living Compendium Third Edition Louisiana IP 2003

2003 Research and Demonstration Grants — Independence Plus Initiative

LOUISIANA

Grant Information

Name of Grantee: Louisiana Department of Hospitals
Title of Grant: Louisiana's Independence Plus Initiative
Type of Grant: Independence Plus Initiative
Amount of Grant: $499,889
Year Original Funding Received: 2003

Contact Information

Judy Moore, Program Manager
225–219–0200
jmoore@dhh.la.gov

Richard F. Crowley, Project Coordinator
446 North 12th Steet
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225–219–0229
RCRowley@dhh.la.gov

Subcontractor(s)

Center for Outcome Analysis

Target Population(s)

All individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities.

Goals

Create a long-term care waiver system based on the principles of self-direction.
Create an individualized back-up system for three waiver programs: Independence Plus, Elderly and Disabled Adults, and Children's Choice.
Expand opportunities for waiver participants to earn income, own businesses, and increase participation in their cost of care.
Expand the current Independence Plus Waiver (NOW) evaluation process to include participants from the Children's Choice Waiver and the Elderly and Disabled Adult Waiver by annually interviewing 200 waiver participants during the 3–year grant period.

Activities

Create an Independence Plus Advisory Committee (IPAC) whose primary responsibility will be to oversee the project and guide the systems change process.
Analyze policies and procedures manuals and fiscal procedures for the three targeted waiver programs, and recommend revisions to language to incorporate the philosophy of self-determination.
Train agency staff and stakeholders on principles of self-determination.
Identify best practices regarding back-up systems and modify the state's back-up system for all targeted waivers. Conduct training on the use of the revised back-up support systems.
Recruit providers willing to offer back-up support to waiver recipients who have chosen self-direction and/or are using a fiscal agent.
Establish a revolving loan fund and policies and safeguards for the use of these funds.
Conduct regional training for micro-enterprise developers, self-advocates and family members, providers, and case managers to help individuals determine what type of business they would like to have, develop a plan for that business, and explore resources for implementation.
Recruit 27 waiver participants from the three targeted waivers help them establish micro-enterprises, which will expand opportunities for them to earn income, own businesses, and increase their contribution to the cost of their care.
Collect and analyze data to assess the impact of incorporating self-determination principles into the three target waivers.

Abstract

Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Community Supports and Services (BCSS) Independence Plus project will create a home and community based services (HCBS) waiver system based on the principles of self-determination. The state will revise the system based on empirical data collected and analyzed under the supervision of the Center for Outcome Analysis. The BCSS intends to develop a back-up system, expand opportunities for any interested waiver recipient to earn income by owning a micro-enterprise business (thereby generating personal income), and make data-driven decisions based on objective analysis of data collected by the Center for Outcome Analysis.

The current Independence Plus waiver (NOW) will also be the catalyst for change in the Children's Choice and Elderly and Disabled Adult waivers. BCSS will create an Independence Plus Advisory Committee (IPAC) to oversee this initiative. At least 51 percent of the IPAC members will be HCBS waiver participants or family members.