Single Point of Entry/No Wrong Door

This report and executive summary were completed for Project BRIDGE, an Integrating Long-Term Supports with Affordable Housing grant from CMS. Individuals with disabilities desiring to live independently in Mississippi are hindered by the state’s scarcity of both affordable, accessible housing and the community-based services. The report outlines the issues and offers recommendations for creating community housing arrangements. Review the policy, program and research suggestions.

SCAccess provides this one-stop website for finding aging and disability resources, applying for benefits, and learning about rights. One section contains a directory for finding and tips for hiring the right personal care worker. Another helps individuals connect with information specialists at each Area Agency on Aging. Consumers can also download commonly used documents and applications. Finally, the site is integrated with agency case management tools.

This graphic shows how information requests from or about people with long-term care needs are handled in Ohio. The illustrated processes include the information request, intake and referral, assessment, and follow-up and evaluation.

Prior to this bill mandating improved access to home and community-based long-term care (LTC) services, Tennessee was paying 98% of LTC funds to nursing homes. The act rebalances funding allocation and creates a single point of entry for older adults seeking LTC. It also supports diversion from and transition out of institutions through HCBS counseling and improved needs assessment. It was signed into law 06/17/2008.

Arkansas was one of 10 states awarded funds from the CMS to improve home and community based services. The project has many goals including developing and implementing a statewide one stop system for long term care services and options. The website lists their other objectives, their strategic plan, and also has the premiere edition of their newsletter. Review the information about this collaborative effort between consumers, stakeholders, and state policy makers.

AoA announced $13 million to support state efforts to help individuals with long-term care needs to avoid unnecessary nursing home placement. This includes $10 Million for an AoA Nursing Home Diversion Modernization Grants Program and a special $3 Million funding opportunity made available by the Veterans Health Administration. Only State Units on Aging are eligible to apply, but must involve AAAs and community-based organizations in projects. The application deadline is August 14, 2008.

This sample memorandum of agreement (MOA) can help facilitate collaboration between ADRCs and Independent Living Centers (ILC) operating in a shared area by clarifying roles and responsibilities. This can help avoid duplicative effort and facilitate information sharing to maximize the resources of both centers, resulting in improved quality of services.

The MN Board on Aging, the agency with primary responsibility for MinnesotaHelp.info, issued this RFP with the goal of contracting an organization to maintain the database underpinning the website. The site is an online directory of services helping people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help. Proposals must be submitted by Friday, May 30, 2008.

CMS has available approximately $8 million in funding to continue to support States' efforts to address complex issues in long-term care reform. In addition, CMS was also awarded $5 million for Aging and Disability Resource Center /Area Agencies on Aging grants. Applications are due no later than July 17, 2008. Please see the full solicitation for details. Also included for background is a list of FY2007 grant recipients focused on person-centered planning and state profile tools.

The Compendium contains basic information about each of the Real Choice Systems Change Grantees receiving awards in FY 2004. It includes information for the Family-to-Family and Systems Transformation Grantees who received awards in FY 2005 and FY 2006 plus the Person-Centered Planning Implementation awards in FY 2007. It is divided into sections corresponding to the different types of grants and year of award; the report helps Grantees identify others with similar goals and activities.