Independence Plus Initiative

MISSOURI

Grant Information


Name of Grantee

Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities

Title of Grant

Missouri Partnership for Self-Directed Support

Type of Grant

Independence Plus Initiative

Amount of Grant

$427,461

Year Original Funding Received

2003

Contact Information


Kay Green
Director of Federal Programs
Division of MRDD
1706 East Elm Street
Jefferson, MO 65102

573-751-8213
kay.green@dmh.mo.gov

Subcontractor(s)

Vim Horn
Project Coordinator
University Center
for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCE)
816-235-1756
hornW@umkc.edu

Additional consultants or small contracts may be needed.

Target Population(s)


Individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.

Goals


  • Establish a statewide Self-Directed Planning Task Force that will plan for implementation of the Independence Plus Initiative activities.
  • Plan and develop Missouri's self-directed choice system.
  • Implement and evaluate a Missouri consumer-directed (CD) support program pilot.
  • Assure a Missouri self-direction system through continuance of successful, fiscally neutral activities and obtaining additional funding.

Activities


  • Establish the Self-Direction Task Force and decide the final details of the CD model (e.g., how individual budgeting will be done; who will do person-centered planning).
  • Develop a curriculum and resources about the CD model for person-centered planners and individuals with disabilities and their families.
  • Recruit participants and conduct the Missouri CD support program pilot, and include ways to integrate the CD model into the current regional center backup system.
  • Conduct training of consumers/families, trainers, and support brokers.
  • Initiate evaluation (pilot) and conduct initial evaluation of the CD model.
  • Develop a report on the full evaluation and decide what strategies will be adapted to the current system.
  • Incorporate features of the independence plus model into existing waivers.

Abstract


The Missouri Division of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities is seeking to enhance the choice and control individuals with disabilities and their families have over their lives. This project will allow the Division to make changes in its system so that it is prepared to implement self-directed support options associated with the Independence Plus Initiative model. The grant project will

  • Implement a participant-directed person-centered planning system. Planning will be facilitated by persons outside the system, or by service coordinators with no gatekeeping responsibilities.
  • Use MoCAN volunteers to train consumers and families to manage and self-direct supports.
  • Explore how individual budgets can be controlled by service participants and be used to combine funding from different agencies in a more efficient manner.
  • Examine the use of a more flexible fiscal intermediary system, the possible use of debit cards, and a mechanism whereby individuals can check their account balances.
  • Develop and implement a participant-directed support brokering system.
  • Review the current statewide emergency backup system and incident management system and adjust it to interface with the self-directed system.

A pilot incorporating the various aspects associated with self-directed support systems will be conducted with individuals with disabilities and/or their families. The pilot will be evaluated using several measures, including cost effectiveness, quality of life, incidence of abuse/neglect, and retention of personal care assistants. Successful components that are fiscally neutral will be implemented throughout the State under current laws. Documentation will be prepared for those that require legislative change. Pending state approval of funding through the appropriation process, features of the Independence Plus Initiative model, will be incorporated into existing waivers.