Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Initiative

NEVADA

Grant Information


Name of Grantee

Nevada Department of Human Resources

Title of Grant

Nevada Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Initiative

Type of Grant

Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Initiative

Amount of Grant

$749,999

Year Original Funding Received

2003

Contact Information


Todd Butterworth, Project Director
775–687–4452
tbutterworth@dhr.state.nv.us

Paul Haugen, Project Co-Coordinator
775–687–4452
phaugen@dhr.state.nv.us

Sherry Manning, Project Co-Coordinator
Office of Disability Services
3656 Research Way, Suite 32
Carson City, NV 89706
775–687–4452
kpreston@dhr.state.nv.us

Subcontractor(s)

Joan Sperling-Johnson
775–353–3599 (voice/TTY)

Lisa Erquiaga
Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living
999 Pyramid Way
Sparks, NV 89431

Target Population(s)


Nonelderly persons with disabilities served in nursing facilities or at risk of institutionalization in the absence of effective community services.

Goals


  • Rebalance Nevada's long-term services programs so that community services and supports are the primary source of support for people with disabilities.
  • Design and implement policies so that dollars spent on institutional services readily follow individuals from institutional to community services.
  • Strengthen community services to reduce the use of institutional services.
  • Expand options for individuals to direct their own services.

Activities


  • Design a Nevada "money follows the person" (MFP) mechanism that ensures funding for institutionalized individuals who want to return to the community.
  • Prepare fiscal impact estimates and identify necessary changes to the Medicaid program.
  • Collect Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) information on costs and services.
  • Identify 160 individuals for community integration, implement their transitions, and use peer advocates to assist individuals or families in the transition process.
  • Establish a Housing Specialist at the Nevada Developmental Disabilities Council to help individuals locate affordable housing and access State and local housing assistance programs; revitalize the Nevada Home of Your Own program, an initiative to help people with disabilities secure housing; and develop, disseminate, and periodically update a registry of affordable, accessible housing in Nevada.
  • Conduct research and investigations of State policies and home and community services programs. Prepare report of recommended policy and program changes in advance of 2005 and 2007 legislative sessions.
  • Conduct research and investigations into self-directed care, and develop proposed design.
  • Consolidate and improve consumer and family education activities across agencies.

Abstract


Rebalancing the State's system to avoid unnecessary institutionalization requires changes in its policies and programs so money can follow institutionalized persons into the community. It is also necessary to assure that people with disabilities have ready access to effective, high-value services and supports in the community so that they need not seek institutional services. Another critical rebalancing dimension is to offer individuals with disabilities greater opportunities to direct their own services.

The Nevada Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Initiative is a collaboration of individuals with disabilities, advocates, Department of Human Resources agencies (Office of Disability Services, Division for Aging Services, the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy), the Nevada Developmental Disabilities Council, Nevada's two Centers for Independent Living, service providers, and community organizations.

The Initiative will link with other activities already under way to strengthen and improve community services for people with disabilities. The Initiative will

  1. lead to fewer individuals served in institutional settings;
  2. increase the number of people who are supported in the community;
  3. pave the way for a solid, sustainable system of effective, high-quality community services;
  4. improve individual and family access to information about community services; and
  5. afford individuals with disabilities real opportunities to direct and manage their own services and supports.