ALABAMA

Grant Information


Name of Grantee
Mid–Alabama Chapter of the Alabama Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, DBA Birmingham Independent Living Center
Title of Grant
Partnerships to Independence
Type of Grant
Nursing Facility Transitions, Independent Living Partnership
Amount of Grant
$450,000
Year Original Funding Received
2001

Contact Information


Daniel Kessler
Birmingham Independent Living Center
206 13th Street S.
Birmingham, AL 35233–1317
205–251–5403
dgkessle@bellsouth.net
www.birminghamilc.org

Subcontractor(s)

No subcontractors planned.

Target Population(s)


People with disabilities who wish to transition from nursing homes to the community. The population includes residents of Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Walker, and Blount Counties in Alabama.

Goals


  • Increase nursing home residents' awareness of independent living options.
  • Assist nursing home residents' transition to the community.
  • Recruit, hire, and train qualified personnel who are committed to the philosophy of independent living and person–centered planning.
  • Promote the development of resource networks through local and statewide implementation teams.

Activities


  • Peer Outreach Advocates will be recruited, trained, and supervised to conduct outreach to nursing homes in the catchment areas.
  • Develop a consumer–directed person–centered assessment model.
  • Assist at least 25 individuals to transition from a nursing home to the community.
  • Produce a manual that can be replicated by sites around the state, region, and country.
  • To conduct local implementation team meetings monthly during the first year and quarterly during years 2 and 3.

Abstract


Birmingham Independent Living Center (BILC), in collaboration with its partners, proposes to expand services to persons with disabilities in Alabama with an Independent Living Partnership Nursing Facility Transitions program entitled Partnerships to Independence. The cost of nursing home care in the State of Alabama is spiraling out of control. By the end of 2001, nursing home costs will exceed $600 million. At the same time, nursing home residents who desire to live in the community are given little opportunity to weigh community options. This project will develop the infrastructure, partnerships, and community services that will be required to offer the choice of community living to nursing home residents across the state.

The target population will include nursing home residents in the Birmingham service areas who express a desire to return to the community, regardless of age or disability. Contact with participants will be made at nursing homes. All potential participants will benefit from peer support, which means people with disabilities, older people, and family members who are familiar with the community will conduct outreach. A full–time Community Transitional Advocate will assist nursing home residents to plan their moves and obtain required supports. Plans will be developed according to independent living and person–centered principles. Community supports that will be put in place include personal assistance, housing, home modification, advocacy, peer support, transitional subsidies, and other resources. It is anticipated that 25 people will transition to the community during the 3–year project period.

Partnerships at the local and state level are a key to the success of this program. The Director of Alabama Medicaid's Long–Term Care Program will convene a group of statewide partners to advise on project direction and assist in the development of policy and sustainable resources for implementation. A local implementation team will be developed to enhance service planning and the development of local resources.

 

 

 

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