| Volume 08 | Issue 16 | April 21, 2008 |
Welcome to Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., published weekly by The Arc of the United States. We will bring to you news of interest to self advocates and their families, volunteers, professionals, and supporters of the disability movement. Please send any comments to mmwdc@thearc.org. You are welcome to reproduce and distribute items from Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., but please credit Monday Morning in Washington, D.C. (The Arc of the United States, 2007).
The Arc of the United States advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together with our network of members and affiliated chapters, we improve systems of supports and services; connect families; inspire communities; and influence public policy.
[NOTE: Having trouble reading this newsletter? Read it online.] [Past Issues]
Many countries have places that help people with disabilities to live on their own. They are called Centers for Independent Living. One center has come up with ten key values. Here they are:
Adapted from “The Independent Living Philosophy: Ten Principles.” Rockland Independent Living Center, Nanuet, NY
You can read the full version of these ten values by visiting the Web site of the Rockland Independent Living Center - http://www.rilc.org/principles.htm
Resource: I Am a Person First: Understanding the Value of Values - http://www.selfadvocacy.org/Catalog/page8.htm - Your values can be the starting point for making change. Talk about values with your group using this kit.
[nectac-enotes] NECTAC eNotes - April 18, 2008
Current and past issues of eNotes can be viewed online at http://www.nectac.org/enotes/enotes.asp
REFERENCE POINTS:
Conference and Workshop Updates Added to the TATRA Website
REFERENCE POINTS is an activity of TATRA, a project of PACER Center
REFERENCE POINTS Conference and workshop updates feature NEW additions to the listing of transition related national and regional conferences maintained on PACER Center's TATRA Project web site. To see our complete calendar of events, please visit us at http://www.pacer.org/tatra/calendar.asp.
Third Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters Article Now Available on Implementation of the DMEPOS Competitive Bid Program!
CMS is pleased to announce that the MLN Matters Special Edition Artilce #SE0807 entitled "Important Exceptions and Special Circumstances that Occur Under the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program: The third in a series of articles on the new DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program." is now posted on the CMS Website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0807.pdf
This is the third in a series of educational articles that will assist you in understanding the details of this new DMEPOS program. As a reminder, the new program begins July 1, 2008. Additional educational materials will be made available to you in the coming weeks.
This article will be of particular interest to physicians and other treating practitioners who are enrolled DMEPOS suppliers, physicians and others who order or refer DMEPOSitems or services for their patients, skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities; and physical therapists and occupational therapists in private practice who are Medicare enrolled DMEPOS suppliers.
The first two special edition articles on the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program can be viewed at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0805.pdf - http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0806.pdf
FY 2008 Real Choice Systems Change and Aging and Disability Resource Center/Area Aging Grant RFP
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedominitiative/emailupdates/ItemDetail.asp?ItemID=CMS1209903
Date: 04/18/2008
Content: CMS has available approximately thirteen million dollars in available funding to continue to support States' efforts to address complex issues in long-term care reform. In addition to approximately eight million dollars in Real Choice Systems Change Grant funding, CMS was also awarded five million dollars for Aging and Disability Resource Center/Area Agencies on Aging grants. For more information, click on the link at the top of this e-mail.
Call for Conference Session Proposals and Speakers - 21st Annual State Health Policy Conference - Oct. 5-7, 2008, Tampa, Florida
The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) conference planning committee is seeking ideas for workshop sessions and speakers and plenary session speakers for the 21st Annual NASHP State Health Policy Conference, which will take place October 5-7 in Tampa, Florida.
The committee would like input from state officials, educators, and advocates on the emerging and the pressing state health policy issues that could be addressed at the conference.
The deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday, April 25, 2008.
Use this form to send proposals to the NASHP planning committee. - http://www.nashp.org/ConfProposal.cfm
Comprehensive Employment Systems (CES) Work Products – North Dakota
Summary: This MIG project is focused on assisting individuals with disabilities to become gainfully employed. Included are work products from CES including: a resource mapping project on the availability of employment related services and supports, summaries of findings from focus groups regarding the rehabilitation needs of un-served and under-served populations, and a summary of input gathered from employer focus groups.
Topic(s): Accessibility, Employment, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, Physical Disabilities, State/Agency Information, Workforce
Source: Grantee produced, North Dakota
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2206
Comprehensive Employment Systems Strategic Planning Documents – North Dakota
Summary: Find a variety of documents used in the strategic planning process for a Comprehensive Employment System in North Dakota. A diagram outlines the planning process and roles of individuals involved. A criteria sheet discusses elements that needed to be included in the final strategic plan. Two summaries provide information covered in regional planning meetings. Finally, an agenda and the minutes for the statewide planning meeting present an overview of the meeting’s accomplishments.
Topic(s): Accessibility, Employment, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, Physical Disabilities, State/Agency Information, Workforce
Source: Grantee produced, North Dakota
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2205
Health Coverage for People with Disabilities - North Carolina
Summary: Find an abundance of information on Health Coverage for Workers with Disabilities (HCWD), a Medicaid expansion in North Carolina created under the authority of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. Included are: reports on cost and participation projections; a powerpoint presentation on information gathered from workgroups; brochures on the program; and a fact sheet about the shift from personal care services (PCS) to HCWD.
Topic(s): Employment, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, State/Agency Information, Workforce
Source: Grantee produced, North Carolina
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2204
Inclusive Livable Communities for People with Psychiatric Disabilities
Summary: This paper is an expansion of the NCD’s livable community framework (LCF): a set of public policy recommendations for ensuring that people with disabilities have all the opportunities and choices available to people without disabilities. It links key elements of the LCF to specific needs of people with psychiatric disabilities, and discusses stigma and discrimination.
Topic(s): Accessibility, Developmental/Psychiatric Disabilities, Employment, Housing, Mental Health, Model Communities
Source: National Council on Disability
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2214
Legislative Study of the Direct Care Workforce in Vermont
Summary: This study examines dynamics affecting the direct-care workforce in Vermont. It found that only one third of those workers have employer-sponsored health insurance, one half of those surveyed expected to receive a raise, and 42% received formal job training. Review the nine consensus recommendations.
The report includes nine recommendations to strengthen the state’s direct-care workforce. In addition, the appendices include original surveys given to employers and direct-care workers.
Topic(s): Quality, Workforce
Source: Vermont
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2207
Quality Indicators for Competitive Employment Outcomes
Summary: The indicators provided in this fact sheet serve as a means for self-assessment by employment programs to help make strides toward facilitating competitive and sustainable employment choices for people with disabilities. This tool can also be used to identify both areas of strength to highlight in marketing and areas that need priority attention for improvement.
Topic(s): Employment, Organizational Change, Physical Disabilities, Quality, Workforce
Source: Virginia Commonwealth University
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2209
Working Disabled Individual Radio Advertisement - New Mexico
Summary: Listen to a radio advertisement about New Mexico's Working Disabled Individual (WDI) Program. This program provides health insurance coverage to working individuals with disabilities. English and Spanish versions included.
Topic(s): Employment, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, Physical Disabilities, State/Agency Information, Workforce
Source: Grantee produced, New Mexico
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2203
Youth with Disabilities in the Foster Care System: Barriers to Success and Proposed Policy Solutions
Summary: This report is about older youth that are involved in the foster care system and have disabilities and the challenges and outcomes they experience in the areas of education, employment, and other indicators of well-being. The goal is to inform and advise state and federal policymakers in improving these outcomes through better services coordination, systems accountability, leadership development, and capacity building, focusing especially on the transition to adulthood.
Topic(s): Children and Family Services, Developmental/Psychiatric Disabilities, Mental Health, Physical Disabilities, Transition/Diversion from Institutions, Waiver
Source: National Council on Disability
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2208
New version of Accessible Vacation Home Exchange
The Independent Living Institute launches new version of its Accessible Vacation Home Exchange service.
The Independent Living Institute Accessible Vacation Home Exchange service has been greatly improved. It is now possible for you to add, delete, and revise your own entry, as well as add photos.
Swapping homes with other persons with similar needs, in other parts of the world, is a low-cost and practical alternative. You can find out in advance how accessible the vacation home is, since you can ask your swap partner relevant questions. And, unlike most other tourists, you’ll have an infrastructure of neighbors and local contacts in place as you arrive.
As the number of visitors to the Independent Living Institute website continues to grow, so will the exposure of your offer to swap homes. Please take a look at www.independentliving.org/vacaswap.html and contact me, should you have any questions.
DisabilityInfo.gov
Caregiver Resources Update: Caregiving Across the States
Find information on caregiver support programs in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. This information has recently been updated, and can be accessed by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=149
FVND Share the Wealth Newsletter Week of April 14th
World Institute on Disability resources on Abuse Prevention and Empowerment
The World Institute on Disability (WID) received funding from the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research (NIDRR) to develop a new Curriculum on Abuse Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE). The completed curriculum (anticipated for fall of 2008) will explore fundamental issues of abuse, best-practices training approaches, and stories of disabled people confronting and resisting abuse. CAPE also helps teachers adapt learning activities for use at disability and community events, rehabilitation sessions, schools and independent living training sessions. Some CAPE resources are now available for free use via the WID website. these include excerpts from the forthcoming book, Sticks and Stones: Disabled People's Stories of Abuse, Defiance and Resilience, a collection of stories showing how people with disabilities have successfully resisted abuse; a teaching guide; movies, comic book scenes, quizzes and games to accommodate various levels of literacy. Resources are available in English and Spanish. For more information go to the WID web site.
http://www.wid.org/programs/health-access-and-long-term-services/curriculum-on-abuse-prevention-and-empowerment-cape/curriculum-on-abuse-prevention-and-empowerment-cape
Child Maltreatment is an annual publication that provides national and state findings on referrals
For child maltreatment, substantiated cases, and types of abuse and neglect. The report includes information on perpetrators of maltreatment, child protective services (CPS) workload, and preventive and post investigation services. Children who were reported with any of the following risk factors were considered as having a disability: mental retardation, emotional disturbance, visual or hearing impairment, learning disability, physical disability, behavioral problems, or another medical problem. In general, children with such risk factors are undercounted, as not every child receives a clinical diagnostic assessment from CPS agency staff. Nearly 8 percent (7.7%) of victims had a reported disability. In addition, children with disabilities were 52% more likely to experience recurrence of maltreatment than their peers without disabilities. Child Maltreatment 2006 is now available online at www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm06/index.htm
Two new reports look at recent changes in the regulations and administration of government health insurance programs for children.
These changes include a requirement that states prove that they have enrolled at least 95 percent of all uninsured children eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or Medicaid before they can expand coverage to other children, and prohibiting the use of schools to administer Medicaid. The summaries offer clear explanations of the new rules. New Report Indicates Medicaid Rules Would Hurt Special Needs Children (First Focus) - http://firstfocus.net/pages/3377/ and Children Are the Real Victims of the CMS August Directive (Shriver Center) - http://www.povertylaw.org/news-and-events/poverty-action-report/march-2008/Children%20Are%20the%20Real%20Victims%20of%20the%20CMS%20August%20Directive.html
The New England ADA Center and No Limits Media have released informative videos featuring students with disabilities
They share their strategies for successfully staying in school, graduating and getting jobs. Students reveal their struggles with self-reporting their disability, and negotiating accommodations in school and at work. These videos can be used as part of trainings (each video is 7-9 minutes) and shared with students and other professionals. The videos are open captioned and can be viewed at http://adaptiveenvironments.org/neada/site/student_
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) recently announced the last training module
In its Building the Legacy Training Curriculum on IDEA 2004. Module 15: LRE Decision Making completes the curriculum. It includes information on IDEA’s provisions regarding least restrictive environment (LRE), a PowerPoint slideshow for training others on LRE, and participant handouts. It is available at http://www.nichcy.org/training/contents.asp#IEP15
The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is pleased to announce the availability of The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan. This document summarizes the available research on childhood stress and its long-term consequences. We hope this publication provides practitioners, especially those working in violence prevention, with ideas about how to incorporate this important information into their work. The publication is available on-line at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/effects_of_childhood_stress.htm. Requests for hard copies can be submitted on-line at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/ncipc.aspx.
Denver attorney helps launch fair housing group
Read the full article on the Denver Business Journal - http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2008/03/31/daily60.html
Check out - The group's website is www.fairhousingforall.org.
Project ACTION has posted a Request for Proposal announcement
Project ACTION in Action Helping Schools Meet the Transportation Needs of Students with Disabilities.
Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) has posted a Request for Proposal (RFP) announcement for, "Project ACTION in Action Helping Schools Meet the Transportation Needs of Students with Disabilities."
ESPA seeks school districts that will bring together a team of district employees and other community members to discuss problems and propose solutions for transportation services for students with disabilities. Applicants are expected to describe project plans that can realistically be accomplished within the contract term of June 1, 2008 to August 15, 2008. The deadline for submission is May 15, 2008. Further information can be found at www.projectaction.org on our request for proposals page.
If you have questions about this project, feel free to contact Ken Thompson, Technical Assistance Contract Specialist, Easter Seals Project ACTION, Tel: 202-347-3066.
Easter Seals Project ACTION
1425 K Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: 202-347-3066, Fax: 202-737-7914
Accessible Community Transportation In Our Nation -
Visit our website at: www.projectaction.org; www. easterseals.com
WhoWillCare.net: "DSP TV Online" Opportunity
Announcing DSP TV Online - http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com/... an exciting opportunity for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), people with disabilities, families, self-advocates and supporters of people with disabilities and the direct support workforce to share their stories in front of the camera!
The DSP TV Online - http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com/ contest is part of www.YouNeedToKnowMe.org, and it is open to anyone. The only catch is that the videos must be about the direct support workforce. We want Direct Support Professionals, people with disabilities, families, providers and supporters/advocates to relate stories of the direct support workforce in their own voice—why the workforce is so important, why are DSPs are so deserving of additional compensation and how are DSPs Making a Difference?
So here's how it works. DSP TV Online - http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com/ is just like YouTube. You shoot a video on a video camera, your cell phone, your Treo or anything that records a video clip and you upload it to DSP TV Online - http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com/. It’s that easy. You point. You shoot. You post. And, best of all, once you post, you’re entered to win a prize!
The deadline for entries is June 1, 2008. One winner from each category will receive $500... and an overall winner will receive $1,000 and paid hotel and airfare to the September 2008 DSP to DC event!
Be bold, be creative and be heard! Grab you video camera and shine light on the incredible contributions of DSP's and the immeasurable value they bring to the lives of people with disabilities.
Tell your story and become an advocate. Entering this web-based video contest is quick and easy. Click here - http://directsupportprofessionals.blogspot.com/ to learn how.
Project ACTION in Action Helping Schools Meet the Transportation Needs of Students with Disabilities.
Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) has posted a Request for Proposal (RFP) announcement for, "Project ACTION in Action Helping Schools Meet the Transportation Needs of Students with Disabilities."
ESPA seeks school districts that will bring together a team of district employees and other community members to discuss problems and propose solutions for transportation services for students with disabilities. Applicants are expected to describe project plans that can realistically be accomplished within the contract term of June 1, 2008 to August 15, 2008. The deadline for submission is May 15, 2008. Further information can be found at www.projectaction.org on our request for proposals page.
If you have questions about this project, feel free to contact Ken Thompson, Technical Assistance Contract Specialist, Easter Seals Project ACTION, Tel: 202-347-3066.
Accessible Community Transportation In Our Nation -
Visit our website at: www.projectaction.org; www. easterseals.com
Increasing Section 504's Minimum 5%/1%1%.
Information Bulletin #244 (4/08)
In earlier Information Bulletins, we explained that HUD's regulations for
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require that a minimum of 5% of
housing units (which receives federal financial assistance) must be
accessible to persons with mobility disabilities and another 1% each for
persons with hearing and visual disabilities.
The 5%1%/1% minimum was established in 1988 when HUD promulgated its
Section 504 regulations and has never been revised or updated. This
minimum is no longer in tune with current statistics or data.
We need to request and demonstrate to HUD that it must increase the
5%/1%/1% for accessible housing in all federally funded programs (HOME,
CDBG, and public housing) in your geographic area. There is a federal
regulation that authorizes this increase. 24 Code of Federal Regulations
section 8.22 ( c), states that HUD "may prescribe a higher percentage
[than 5%] ... upon request... by any affected recipient ... or agency ...
based upon demonstration to the reasonable satisfaction of HUD of a need
for a higher percentage ... based on census data...."
Here's how we can demonstrate the need for a higher percentage of
accessible units than 5%/1%/1% so that your local Section 504 minimum
requirements will more accurately reflect the number of persons with
mobility disabilities who require accessible units. Go to
http://factfinder.census.gov, click on data sets, then the 2006 American
Community Survey, select your geographic location, then click on Subject
Tables, then disability characteristics.
As an example, I will use data for the entire United States as an example.
Please keep in mind that both the census and the American Community Survey
data includes only the "noninstitutionalized" population i.e., it does
not include any people in nursing homes or in intermediate care facilities
for the mentally retarded.
First, in the U.S., the entire population 5 years and older is about 274
million people, of whom 6.8% (18.6 million) have one disability and
another 8.3% (22.7 million) have two or more disabilities. Yes, the 2006
Census identifies 15.1%. That is a total of the 41.3 million
noninstitutionalized people five years and older identified by the 2006
Census' American Community Survey update as having at least one
disability.
Looking at persons five years and older with a "physical disability",
there are about 26 million people - that's 9.5% of the population.
People five years and older with a "sensory disability" are 11.5 million -
nearly 4.2%. These figures include people at any income level b not just
lower income people who would qualify for federally funded housing - and
do not break down "physical disability" by type.
Second, the 2006 Census' American Community Survey breaks this data down
by "poverty." In 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services
defined poverty for one person to be $10,400, two persons $14,000, and
four persons $21,200. Therefore, every individual receiving SSI ($637
federal minimum in 2008) is in poverty and every couple receiving SSI
($959 federal minimum) is in poverty. These people are
noninstitutionalized and should be factored in to the minimum Section 504
accessible units necessary in your area.
Of the total people with incomes below the poverty level and with one or
more disabilities not in institutions, there were about 21.5% of the 5
year and older population - nearly 9 million disabled persons. (Compare
that with 11.2% of the population without a disability who were below the
poverty level. If you're in poverty, you're nearly twice as likely to be
disabled.)
Third, since about 60% of the persons in nursing homes (institutionalized
and therefore not included in the 2006 Census American Community Survey)
are on Medicaid, they are in nearly all in poverty. These people and
disabled persons in ICF-MRs are not included in the ACS 9 million persons
with disabilities in poverty. (You can find the number of people in
nursing facilities in your state by type of disability in the CMS Minimum
Data Sets and the number in ICF-MRs in Braddock "State of the States.")
Many of these institutionalized people are there because they cannot find
affordable, accessible housing. These institutionalized people must be
included when you're computing the minimum Section 504 accessible units
required in your area.
Fourth, we know from the 2006 Census American Community Survey there are
5.5 million people in the United States with a physical disability and in
poverty, and another 2.3 million with a sensory disability and in poverty
(again, institutionalized people are not included in these figures). Find out the information for your area and use it to demonstrate the need
for more than the 5%/1%/1% minimum of 1988.
Fifth, keep in mind that most federally funded housing programs are no
longer only for, or even primarily for, persons whose income places them
in poverty. Housing Authorities can rent to persons up to 80% of Average
Median Income and HOME rental funds can be used for persons at 60% AMI. The accessibility needs of people with incomes up to the relevant specific
housing program should also be included, again increasing the number and
percentage of accessible units that far exceed 5%.
Sixth, we know from HUD's CHAS 2000 census data (it is available by state,
city or county) that for families who are renters and whose family income
is < =30% area median income, about 28 - 31% have a "mobility and
self-care impairment." They need accessible units!
Therefore, with the SSI level at about 15% of the AMI and at only 74% of
the poverty level, with the "poverty" level at only about 40% of the AMI,
with federally financed housing programs targeting persons far above the
poverty level, and with the CHAS data demonstrating nearly 30% of people
below 30% of the AMI have a mobility and self care impairment, the Section
504 minimum is far,far lower than the 2006 Census American Community
Survey's "poverty" findings and far lower than the 2000 CHAS data.
Yes, there are a number of steps and yes, it is complicated. Nevertheless, here's the process to use in requesting HUD to increase the
5%/1%/1% Section 504 minimum.
Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues
Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at
http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To
contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call
215-627-7100.
New products have been published on the Quality Mall web site:
"State legislation regarding wages and benefits of home care workers: Thirteen promising practices" - http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4285
"Stepping up to supervisor" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4288
"Training TANF recipients and low-income populations for long-term care paraprofessional jobs" - http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4361
"Peer mentoring: A workshop series for direct-care workers in home and residential care" - http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4397
"Introducing Peer Mentoring in Long-Term Care Settings" -
http://www.qualitymall.org/products/prod1.asp?prodid=4398
One-Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week
Succeeding in College and at Work: Students with Disabilities Tell Their Stories
New England ADA Center and No Limits Media - http://adaptiveenvironments.org/neada/site/student_videos
The New England ADA Center and No Limits Media have released informative videos featuring students with disabilities sharing their strategies for successfully staying in school, graduating and getting jobs. Students reveal their struggles with self-reporting their disability, and negotiating accommodations in school and at work. Navigators, these videos can be used as part of trainings (each video is 7-9 minutes) and shared with students and other professionals. DVDs are available upon request. The videos are open captioned and can be viewed by accessing the URL. There are currently four videos
Data Note 16: State Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Agencies Expenditures for Integrated Employment Services
State Data Information - Institute for Community Inclusion
http://statedata.info/datanotes/datanote.php?article_id=237
In FY2004, the average expenditure per person for integrated employment as reported by state Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) agencies was $6,251 (Table 1). This figure has increased steadily since the mid-1990s indicating that states have slowly begun allocating additional resources towards integrated employment. However, growth in expenditures is likely a result of changes in federal law as opposed to changes in the amount of state dollars available to fund integrated employment. The Balanced Budget Act Amendments of 1997 expanded the eligibility for integrated employment services to all people served under the Medicaid Title XIX Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver. Between FY1996 and FY2004 state, county, or local MR/DD agency expenditures remained constant, while Title XIX waiver expenditures per person for integrated employment increased nearly 250%. It is expected that more recently enacted federal policies such as the New Freedom Initiative (2001) will continue to encourage states to make use of federal Medicaid dollars to fund integrated employment, and likely perpetuate these trends.
Overall, states have increased per-person integrated employment expenditures; however, there is significant variation across states and funding sources (Table 2). The per-person expenditure for integrated employment, considering funds from all available sources2, ranged from $90 in Kentucky to $14,541 in Connecticut. The per-person expenditure for integrated employment using Title XIX Waiver funds ranged from $5 in Washington state to $12,429 in Arkansas. The per-person expenditure for integrated employment using state, county, or local MR/DD funds ranged from $256 in Missouri to $14,364 in Connecticut. The differences in per-person expenditure for integrated employment are important to note but are not necessarily an indication of the quantity or quality of integrated employment services in the state. Washington state and Connecticut both consistently support a high percentage of service recipients in integrated employment; however the state’s per-person expenditures are significantly different. The differences in per-person expenditures are more likely due to variations within each state’s economy than the quantity or quality of integrated employment services.
For more information on per-person integrated expenditure across states and funding sources, access the URL to read Data Note 16.
Career Voyages, a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education, provides information on high-growth, in-demand occupations and identifies the skills and education needed for those jobs. Find basic labor market information such as wage and employment trends as well as occupation descriptions and career videos for in-demand occupations. In addition, Career Voyages works directly with industry associations, providing direct access to their career exploration information, videos, education opportunities, scholarships, and other industry-specific resources.
Until Next week
The Arc of the United States,1010 Wayne Avenue, Ste. 650,Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301-565-3842, Fax: 301-565-3843, Email: mmwdc@info.thearc.org, Web: www.thearc.org
Disclaimer: MMWDC publishes information about issues and events that we believe to be important and likely to be of interest to advocates and others interested in inclusion of persons with disabilities in all parts of society. However, MMWDC and The Arc of the United States and TheArcLink Incorporated do not necessarily endorse all events, sponsoring organizations and reports which appear.