Vermont 2003

<H3>Vermont</H3> <P>&nbsp;</P> <H4>Task Force</H4> <P>Senate Bill 224, signed by the governor on June 13, 2002, establishes the <I>Olmstead</I> advisory commission in the Agency of Human Services and specifies the commission's membership. The <I>Olmstead </I>advisory commission must submit a status report by January 1 of each year to the governor and the legislature. </P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <H4>Implementation </H4> <I><P>Legislation</P> </I><P>As noted, legislation created the <I>Olmstead</I> advisory committee in the Agency of Human Services.<BR> </P> <I><P>Lawsuits</P> </I><P>There are no current lawsuits related to the <I>Olmstead</I> decision.<BR> </P> <I><P>Next Steps</P> </I><P>The state of Vermont received a $2 million Real Choice Systems Change Grant that will be used to identify gaps in care and coordination of services. The state will develop training materials and recruit a crew of self-advocates to train others. Nursing home placement counseling will be implemented, and a paraprofessional organization will be established. The grant also will be used to amend the state's Section 1115 waiver and research the state actions necessary to allow for direct consumer funding.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P>