Newsletter, periodic publication

This issue explores the theory that improving pre-employment training and continuing education reduces turnover by giving workers the competence and confidence they need to do the job well. The brief describe federal and state pre-employment and on-the job training requirements; examine the costs involved and how to pay for it; summarizes the research on the impact of training programs on recruitment, retention, care quality; and identifies key questions in developing initiatives.

Informal caregivers, primarily family, but also friends and volunteers, have been and continue to be integral to the system of providing critical assistance to persons age 65 or older who need long-term care. This Data Profile provides an overview of informal caregivers today compared to caregivers a decade ago. This brief also offers excellent data and charts that offer a pictorial overview of the changes.

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is an employment program for people with disabilities who are interested in going to work. The quarterly newsletter covers marketplace news, opportunities and experiences. This Winter 2005 issues details a new EN Promising Practices Anthology and spotlights a South Florida program. The Newsletter also has an events calendar and a list of Recently Approved Employment Network Providers.

The New England ADA & Accessible IT Center is one of ten regional disability and business technical assistance centers funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The Center is a project of Adaptive Environments, Inc., a nonprofit organization. The website offers Publications & Resources, Technical Assistance & Training, ADA Audio-Conferences and the Access New England Newsletter.

Individuals with certain combinations of needs who enroll in both the state-administered Medicaid program and the federally-administered Medicare program are referred to as dual eligibles. Currently, they receive prescription drugs and most LTC benefits from Medicaid, while they are covered by Medicare for acute benefits. Because dual eligibles receive benefits from both programs, many care coordination challenges arise in delivering high-quality, cost effective, & comprehensive benefits.

Despite preference for community-based long-term care, spending & policy is biased toward institutional services. More flexible policies were passed in 1981, when coverage was extended to non-medical services for people who meet criteria. States still must obtain a waiver for community-based services, and the law requires that Medicaid programs provide institutional care. As a result, policymakers face challenges when creating balanced systems that offer access to quality service choices.

This November 2004 issue brief addresses how states can control costs of the Medicaid program, often the second largest item in state budgets, after education. Every state has taken cost containment actions, & all plan to take additional measures to constrain growth. Enrollment has increased as a result of declining household incomes and declining rates of employer-sponsored insurance. Other factors such as the aging of the population will continue to affect the whole health care system.

This November 2004 issue brief addresses the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP). The reimbursement percent is calculated according to a formula established in the Medicaid statute & based on the per capita income in each state. The fact that the FMAP is based on historical data is sometimes of concern to states. Additionally, the current system makes no specific provision for changes in the economy, leaving states confronted with increased costs when they can least afford them.

This November 2004 issue brief on Premium Assistance, a strategy in which a state uses public funds (e.g.,Medicaid dollars) to pay for a portion of the cost of private coverage (usually employer-sponsored insurance). Current use of premium assistance by states is minimal; only about one-third operate such programs, and recent reports indicate that enrollment in these programs is modest in most of these states. Nonetheless, state interest remains high due to the potential benefits.

The mission of the Maine Personal Assistance Services Association is to build recognition and opportunity for the direct care, direct support, and personal assistance workforce through education, professional development, and public awareness. The website offers a list of upcoming events, a newsletter, and other resources.