2003 Research and Demonstration Grants — Community-Integrated Personal Assistance Services and Supports

ARIZONA

Grant Information

Name of Grantee
Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Title of Grant
Arizona Human Service Cooperative Project
Type of Grant
Community-Integrated Personal Assistance Services and Supports
Amount of Grant
$600,000
Year Original Funding Received
2003

Contact Information

Ric Zaharia, Assistant Director DES/DDD
602–542–0419
rzaharia@mail.de.state.az.us

Dianne Wagemann,
Director of Policy and Planning (grant liaison)
Division of Developmental Disabilities, 4th Floor NW
1789 West Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602–542–0419
dwagemann@mail.de.state.az.us

Gale Bohling, Project Director
602–953–9012
bohlinginc@cox.net

Holly Bohling, Operations
Bohling, Inc.; PO Box 22120
Phoenix, AZ 85028
602–953–9012
hbohling@cox.net


Subcontractor(s)

Rescare, Inc.
Patrick Kelley, Senior Vice President
10140 Linn Station Road
Louisville, KY 40223
800–866–0860
pkelley@rescare.com

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
4001 Discovery Drive, Suite 210
Boulder, CO 80303
Dr. David Braddock
303–735–2952
braddock@cu.edu
Richard E. Hemp
303–735–0252
rick.hemp@cu.edu
Mary Rizzolo Mann
303–735–2952
marykay.rizzolo@cu.edu

Target Population(s)

Medicaid-eligible persons with physical and developmental disabilities.

Goals

Activities

Abstract

For 15 years, Arizona has been operating its Long-term Care Service and Support System, including its Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Program, under a Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver. Under this program, eligible elders and persons with physical and developmental disabilities have access to a comprehensive array of HCBS options. This project builds on existing options in determining the feasibility of the HSC as a model for addressing the need for self-determination and empowerment, and for implementing self-directed services for persons with disabilities in Arizona. Under an HSC, member/owners, who are service users, provide the policy direction and leadership to an incorporated cooperative that is recognized and does business as a state-certified service provider.

Development of this project will involve partnerships of several public and private groups: (1) a group of individuals who use services and their families will partner to form an HSC, (2) the state of Arizona will partner with the HSC to contract for services, and (3) a service provider will contract with the HSC to provide funding for development and professional services. The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center will provide research expertise for the endeavor, and a consultant will provide HSC business development and implementation assistance and partnership coordination. With this HSC as a base, a FCC will be created to assist other groups in developing additional HSCs, in particular one that addresses the needs of the Spanish-speaking population. The project will also provide education, training, and outreach/marketing materials for developing future HSCs.

Along with an implementation and sustainability plan and implementation of the first HSC and the FCC, the primary outcomes/products of this project will be the information and experience obtained to guide public policy staff and private organizations regarding HSC planning and development techniques, education and training materials for HSC leadership, and planning for future contracting systems. The development process will also stimulate new and creative service delivery options such as individual asset development and micro-board support and assistance.

As an independent organization, the Human Service Cooperative will operate after the grant ends, continuing to provide state-funded LTC self-directed services. Grant activities will transition to the FCC, which will be incorporated and will provide ongoing assistance to cooperatives and professionals throughout Arizona, and potentially in other states.