Real Choice Systems Change

MAINE

Grant Information


Name of Grantee

Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of MaineCare Services, Bureau of Medical Services

Title of Grant

Quality Choices for Maine

Type of Grant

Real Choice Systems Change

Amount of Grant

$2,300,000

Year Original Funding Received

2001

Completed

Contact Information


Christine Zukas-Lessard
Deputy Director
Office of MaineCare Services, Department of Health and Human Services
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
207-287-3828
chris.zukas-lessard@maine.gov

Subcontractor(s)

Danny Westcott
Institute for Health Policy 800-800-4876
Muskie School of Public Service
University of Southern Maine
207-228-8083
westcott@usm.maine.edu

http://www.mainerealchoices.org

Target Population(s)


Generally, no specific target population. Some demonstrations will target specific populations, as yet undetermined. One project (evaluating wraparound services provided in schools) targets children with serious emotional disabilities.

Goals


  • Person-Centered Services. Maximize options for choice and control of personal assistance services (PAS) across programs. Provide more consumers with the administrative support infrastructure necessary or desired to exercise greater choice and control over personal assistance and other long-term services. Develop, demonstrate, and evaluate a model of flexible funding that enables consumers to access services from multiple state departments. Increase the effectiveness of services targeted to children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs in public schools.
  • Quality. Identify and implement quality indicators for measuring quality of life and quality of care for children and adults with disabilities receiving long-term services and supports. Demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of interdepartmental collaboration in quality improvement by developing a complaint/event reporting system for A/D waivers.
  • Access. Increase access to information about services and eligibility; housing; qualified direct care workers; recreational, social, and cultural activities; and transportation services.
  • Data. Improve planning and implementation of services by integrating data across departments.

Activities


  • Conduct a comparative analysis of Maine's PAS policies; develop recommendations for change.
  • Develop a Fiscal/Employer Agent (FEA).
  • Conduct a flexible funding demonstration for youth with developmental disabilities transitioning from public schools into the adult service system.
  • Evaluate the wraparound services program, called "Student Multi-Agency Resource Team" (SMART), underway in Portland Public Schools.
  • Identify and implement quality indicators measuring quality of care and quality of life.
  • Identify and conduct an intradepartmental collaborative quality improvement complaint and event system.
  • Develop a Web site providing information about services, resources, and eligibility.
  • Conduct two to three demonstrations for improving access to housing services.
  • Develop a direct care workers' association.
  • Develop a resource inventory for recreation services; replicate a monthly calendar of low-cost events; and develop a Universal Access Guidelines Tool Kit.
  • Conduct two to three demonstrations for improving access to transportation services.
  • Develop a detailed design for generic infrastructure to support integrating data across multiple departments and programs.

Abstract


Maine has already developed a good community services system with a wide array of community living supports. This grant project, Quality Choices for Maine, seeks to take this system to the next level where consumers have more choice and control; community-relevant quality management structures are built into Maine's community-based living options and incorporate consumer perspectives; identified gaps are addressed (access to information, direct care workers, housing, transportation, and recreation); and integrated interdepartmental data support interdepartmental collaboration.

The grant's focus is largely interdepartmental. It will be used to develop consistency across programs and the infrastructure for supporting a shared interdepartmental vision for serving persons with disabilities, as well as to address access barriers common to multiple population groups.

Quality Choices for Maine directly responds to and continues the work performed under Maine's Olmstead initiative, which has been a collaborative process involving representatives from four departments (Health and Human Services Behavioral and Developmental Services, Education, Labor, and Corrections) and a broad cross-section of consumer representatives.