2002 Community-Integrated Personal Assistance Services and Supports Grants

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Grant Information

Name of Grantee
Department of Health, Medical Assistance Administration
Title of Grant
Consumer-Directed Attendant Care Services
Type of Grant
Community-Integrated Personal Assistance Services and Supports
Amount of Grant
$725,000
Year Original Funding Received
2002

Contact Information

Robert Cosby, Chief
202–442–5972
robert.cosby@dc.gov

Rolda Hamblin, Project Director
Office on Disabilities and Aging
825 North Capitol Street, NE
Suite 5135
Washington, DC 20002
202–442–9055
rolda.hamblin@dc.gov


Subcontractor(s)

To be determined by the RFP process.

Target Population(s)

Elderly persons and individuals with physical disabilities 18 to 64 years of age.

Goals

Activities

Abstract

As more elderly and individuals with physical disabilities choose to live in home and community based settings, consumer choice and preferences have become increasingly critical public policy issues. Consequently, the District has developed a PASS program to provide community supports to the elderly and individuals with physical disabilities.

The project will focus on improving access to home and community based services by creating a Personal Assistance Services and Supports (PASS) program that is consumer-directed. To accomplish this, an Advisory Committee that is composed of consumers, providers, and representatives across District agencies will be established. The PASS project is designed to: (1) build the infrastructure for the delivery of cost-effective personal assistance services that will provide self-determination in the selection and delivery of services, (2) streamline the eligibility determination process, (3) disseminate information to consumers regarding HCBS, and (4) recruit, train and support personal assistants and mentors.

The outcome of the project will be to increase the availability of home and community based services with subsequent reduction in institutionalized services. A quality assurance and continuous quality improvement mechanism will be created for monitoring of the services.

Significant and sustainable outcomes will include a system that fosters greater consumer control and choice in the selection of services and the recruitment, hiring, training, and management of the providers of those services.