Community-Integrated Personal Assistance Services and Supports

ARKANSAS

Grant Information

Name of Grantee

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS),
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDS)

Title of Grant

DDS Pass Grant

Type of Grant

Community-Integrated Personal Assistance Services and Supports

Amount of Grant

$900,000

Year Original Funding Received

2001

Completed

Contact Information

Carole Cromer, Administrator
PO Box 1437, Slot N502
Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
501-682-8689
carol.cromer@arkansas.gov

Gerald Hodge, Grants Coordinator II
2920 McClellan Drive, Suite 1078
Jonesboro, AR 72401
870-268-2246
gerald.hodge@arkansas.gov

Subcontractor(s)

Partners for Inclusive Communities (formerly UAP)
Karan Burnette
501-682-9000

Oregon Technical Assistance Corporation
Jean Tuller
503-364-9943

Independent Living Services
Jackie Fliss
501-327-5234

Ouachita Industries, Inc.
Sandra Kennedy
870-836-3056

Rainbow of Challenges, Inc.
Patti Manus
870-777-4501

Bost Inc.
Kent C. Jones
479-478-5551

Board of Trustees, University of Arkansas/People First
Kim Worlow
870-488-9000

Advocates Needed Today, Inc.
Syed Ali
870-543-7123

Arkansas Independent Living Council
Rebecca Riggs
501-372-0607

Target Population(s)

Individuals who meet the definition of having developmental disabilities as defined by Arkansas State statute.

Goals

  • Enhance consumer self-advocacy.
  • Improve quality of life for individuals receiving services through the developmental disabilities system in the area of direct care staff.
  • Explore new options for service delivery that embrace the concepts of self-determination and consumer choice and control.

Activities

  • Develop a Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDS) advisory council composed of consumers and families to provide guidance as Arkansas seeks to incorporate best practices into the service delivery system.
  • Enhance the self-advocacy network by empowering consumers and advocates with information from a Web site and handbook.
  • Develop an advertising campaign and materials for recruiting direct support professionals to provide community-based services.
  • Commission a study and develop new service delivery options to include a one-stop shopping model inclusive of fiscal intermediaries and community boards.

Abstract

The DDS Services through the PASS Grant seeks to promote a change in the way services are provided to individuals with developmental disabilities. Our current model of cursory input as "consumer control" is no longer acceptable to many individuals who request and/or receive services through DDS. Concepts of independence, self-determination, and consumer control will be included as we move to design a more flexible and responsive system.

Through the PASS Grant, DDS will develop an advisory council, train and support self-advocacy networks, and create an interactive Web site and handbook. These accomplishments will create an environment that will empower individuals and families to advocate for changes to the system, from initial design to implementation. The development of new service delivery system options that expand consumer choice and control and enhance quality is also a goal of this grant.