Grant
Information
Name of Grantee
Department
of Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services
Title of Grant
Your Choice
Type of Grant
Nursing
Facility Transitions, State Program
Amount of Grant
$598,444
Year Original Funding
Received
2002
Expected Completion Date
September
2006
Contact
Information
Kris Baldwin, Program Administrator
501-682-8509
kris.baldwin@arkansas.gov
Subcontractor(s)
Independent Living Centers of Arkansas
Eight Area Agencies on Aging of
Target
Population(s)
Individuals who are at high risk of
entering a nursing facility or individuals currently residing in nursing
facilities that wish to return to the community.
Goals
Activities
Abstract
"Your Choice" focuses on diverting individuals at
high risk of institutionalization by placing social workers in pilot programs
in two hospitals in Arkansas, one rural and one urban. Currently, the Division
of County Operations determines eligibility for Medicaid long-term care
services (nursing home and home and community based services). Eligibility
determinations for nursing home care are made post-admission. The average time
to process a Medicaid waiver application is 45 days. Because of the 45-day lag
time, inpatient hospital providers have historically not been able to arrange
for services in the home prior to discharge and found it much easier to arrange
for nursing home admission. A collaborative effort will be made with the Real
Choice Grant to develop a "fast-track" process to reduce the
eligibility wait time for Medicaid waiver applications. Consumers will have
quick entry, timely eligibility determination, and consistent medical
eligibility criteria and access to services. Data will be complied to show the
comparison of nursing facility placements in prior years with those in project
years.
Another component of the diversionary process will be the
development of a statewide Web-based consumer information resource, personal
assessment form, and directory of services for people who are aging and people
with disabilities, including developmental disability and mental illness. An ombudsman
program for persons who receive waiver services will also be developed to
assist in the diversion of persons from institutions. Consumers with
disabilities and advocates have often expressed concern about a voice for
individuals in the community who have difficulties with services they are
receiving from a Home and Community Based waiver.
Another initiative of this grant is to build a blueprint
for interagency collaboration to identify, develop, and coordinate community
housing. The ADFA has agreed to set aside $300,000 of its annual HOME program
allocation for bridge rental subsidies. A collaborative effort with AFDA will
be made to recruit and identify individuals currently at high risk of being
institutionalized, or those currently in nursing homes and capable of living in
the community, and to assess the housing and support service needs of those
individuals and to link those persons with support service providers.