California
- The Consortium provides technical assistance and consultation to the California Department of Developmental Services to enhance services to people living in the state’s five Developmental Centers and two Community Facilities. We work with staff at all levels to provide timely responses to requests for technical assistance and training, assessment, facilitation and problem-solving. A sample of activities include participating in mock surveys for ICF/MR, Skilled Nursing and General Acute levels of care; forensic services consultation; MDS and Wound Care training and consultation; development and implementation of Functional Analysis and Positive Behavior Support Planning series across the state, including follow-up technical assistance to participants; development of a handbook to prompt creative approaches to ensuring consumer freedom of access; individual psychiatric and psychological consultations; and, a two-day facilitated meeting for Departmental Executive Staff to plan enhancements to protective services.
- The Consortium worked with the Central Valley Regional Center to plan, develop and provide training on serving the needs of people with intellectual disabilities who become involved in the criminal justice system. A similar training was also provided to the developmental center providing secure treatment services.
Alabama
- The Consortium works with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and a broad-based coalition of people with disabilities, agencies, advocates and other stakeholders to develop solutions to employment barriers for people who have significant disabilities. In addition to designing the grant proposals, key accomplishments include the development of PAS utilization training curriculum for consumers and the development of a “Case Management Re-Design” training curriculum to promote effective support coordination within a self-directed system. We are currently researching and designing a proposed Medicaid Buy-In program for the State.
- Consortium President Wright was the primary author of Alabama’s Cash and Counseling grant and has served as its technical advisor throughout the project, culminating in the development of the first 1915(j) Medicaid State Plan Option for Self-Directed Services under the Deficit Reduction Act to be approved by CMS. This work includes training for case managers and other staff serving seniors and people with physical disabilities.
- The Consortium served as the ICF/MR Licensure and Certification Team for Alabama Department of Public Health.
- Consortium staff provided technical assistance and curriculum development for child welfare social workers working within the court system.
Georgia
- The Consortium collaborated with the Georgia Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and DisAbility Link (Center for Independent Living) to conduct an evaluation of the Georgia Peer Support Project to demonstrate the value of peer supports as a potential Medicaid reimbursable service. Consortium tasks included design of the research methodology, design and selection of data collection tools, statistical analysis of the data, including correlation with Medicaid claims data, and development of a final report and recommendations.
- The Consortium developed a successful Money Follows the Person proposal for the Georgia Developmental Disabilities agency.
Ohio
- Consortium staff took part in a statewide review of developmental centers in Ohio and assisted in the development of a plan to reconfigure the service system toward supporting the growth in home and community based services.
Texas
- Consortium President Wright and staff worked with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services to design and implement multi-media tools to support quality management and risk mitigation in self-directed services, and provide training to case managers, providers and consumers.
- Consortium personnel provided Person-Directed Planning training to service coordination staff from across the State.
Illinois
- The Consortium provided technical assistance to an Illinois DD Council-sponsored project to evaluate and plan for developmental center downsizing and needed community capacity.
Virginia
- The Consortium provides continuing technical assistance to the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse for ICF/MR compliance, positive behavior support and planning for facility downsizing.
New York
- The Consortium is working with the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and the Central New York Disabilities Service Office to develop, implement and evaluate a project to promote the inclusion and participation of people with developmental disabilities in their spiritual communities.
Kentucky
- A Consortium team provided immediate consultation to the Kentucky Department for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services to assist a state ICF/MR to craft a Plan of Correction and quickly implement program enhancements, resulting in maintenance of certification.
Tennessee
- Consortium staff provided expert training and technical assistance in physical and nutritional supports for a developmental center in the State.