Systems Change Grants for Community Living Compendium Third Edition Wisconsin MFP 2003

2003 Research and Demonstration Grants — Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Initiative

WISCONSIN

Grant Information

Name of Grantee: Department of Health and Family Services
Title of Grant: Wisconsin's Money Follows the Person Initiative
Type of Grant: Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Initiative
Amount of Grant: $743,813
Year Original Funding Received: 2003

Contact Information

Thomas Swant
System Design Manager
Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services
One West Wilson Street, Room 418
PO Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707
608–266–3717
swanttj@dhfs.state.wi.us

Subcontractor(s)

County agencies
Consultants for training and consultation

Target Population(s)

Persons with developmental disabilities living in intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICFs/MR) and persons with physical disabilities and frail elders living in nursing homes.

Goals

Develop a new mechanism and supporting data systems to enable funding to follow individuals moving from ICFs/MR to homes in the community.
Transition 200 individuals currently living in ICFs/MR, and their funding, to the community.
Create a regional support system that will enable participants and their guardians, county administrators, and other key stakeholders to understand and choose alternatives to ICFs/MR.
Determine the feasibility of a Money Follows the Person mechanism for individuals in nursing homes.

Activities

Identify ICFs/MR to be downsized or closed.
Develop a system so counties can track residents for whom they have responsibility on a person-by-person basis.
Educate guardians and other judicial personnel about resources needed for community living.
Conduct a feasibility analysis of proposed mechanisms for transferring nursing home funds.
Work with the legislature to enact sponsoring legislation to implement the new funding mechanism.
Work with counties to develop community resources for individuals transitioned.

Abstract

This grant will develop mechanisms and supporting data systems to allow institutional funding to follow persons transitioning from ICFs/MR and nursing facilities to homes in the community. Judges and attorneys serving as Guardians ad Litem will be educated about community living options and needed resources. Grant staff will work with county officials to identify ICFs/MR for downsizing or closure.

The Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) will provide professional technical assistance for county boards/administrators and other decision makers as they create community care plans. Wisconsin will transfer 200 individuals to the community from private or county ICFs/MR, and the money will follow them for support in the community. This transfer will enable the closing of at least three ICFs/MR, and another seven will significantly reduce beds as people move to the community.

The state is currently developing a plan to establish a Money Follows the Person mechanism for individuals in nursing homes. As part of this grant, DHFS will conduct a feasibility analysis of proposed mechanisms for transferring nursing home funds, work with the legislature to enact sponsoring legislation, implement the new funding mechanism, and work with counties to develop community resources for persons transitioned from nursing homes.