Season's Greetings from ADvancing States!

As the holidays approach, we at ADvancing States extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May your holiday season be filled with warmth, joy, and cherished moments!

As we bid farewell to this year, we're filled with hope and anticipation for what the New Year will bring. May it be a year of opportunities, growth, and positive moments for you and the communities you serve.

Please note, there will be no Friday Update next week, as we take a short break to revel in the holiday spirit. We'll return on Friday, January 5, energized and eager to share more updates and insights from our aging and disability networks! Thank you for your continued support.

Next Gen HCBS Leaders

ADvancing States is celebrating the 2023 cohort of Next Gen HCBS Leaders, who have completed their year-long program. The 2023 Next Gen participants were selected through a competitive application process and come from Medicaid, Aging, and Disability programs across 16 states. They are emerging leaders, working hard to implement innovative programming to better serve members of their communities and states. We applaud their efforts and participation in the Next Gen program.

The Next Gen HCBS Leaders program offers training, support, and mentorship to selected participants to support their growth as a state leader. Each Next Gen member receives all-expenses paid scholarships to the ADvancing States Spring Meeting and the HCBS Conference. Next Gen Leaders also participate in monthly webinars on LTSS-specific and leadership development topics, and each participant is matched with a mentor to receive personalized support in developing leadership skills. UnitedHealthcare was our inaugural Next Gen HCBS Leaders program sponsor. Our second-year cohort was generously supported once again by UnitedHealthcare and joined in support by Molina Healthcare. The 2024 cohort of Next Gen HCBS Leaders will launch with additional support from our newest Next Gen sponsor, Pulselight.

Applications for the 2024 cohort will be available in early January. Learn more about the Next Gen HCBS Leaders program, the 2024 calendar of events, sponsorship opportunities, and the 2022 and 2023 Next Gen Leaders on the Next Gen page of the ADvancing States website.

ADvancing States, NASDDDS, and NAMD Submit Comments on Proposed Revisions to the Critical Incident Management Survey

On December 4, ADvancing States, the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD), and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) submitted joint comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the 2024 revised draft of the Critical Incident Management Survey. 

We support CMS’s goal to identify and share best practices related to critical incident management and we believe there is great value in providing CMS with insight into the states’ current incident management systems. With this in mind, we requested that CMS provide additional information regarding the planned use of the survey results. We also encouraged CMS to consider survey revisions and timelines for completion of the survey that recognize the considerable amount of time it takes for state staff to complete the survey.  

The comment letter includes specific recommendations to CMS on individual revisions and the overall strategy for implementation.

Click here to access the full letter.

Updated Training Course Available: An Introduction to Adult Protective Services

ADvancing States is pleased to announce the release of an updated training course on “An Introduction to Adult Protective Services.” This training course can be found on ADvancing States IQ, our online learning center. This course highlights the core pillars of the APS program. Participants will gain an understanding of APS, the history of these services, and the standard APS practice model. States have played a key role in shaping APS programs. This course will help participants identify state structures for APS programs as well as understand the federal role in supporting the programs. Participants will also learn about training, technical assistance, and other resources for APS programs. Through the course, participants will gain insight into the importance of public awareness of adult maltreatment and the value of person-centeredness in supporting individuals at-risk of and experiencing abuse.

To access the training course, see the Preventing Abuse and Exploitation course category on ADvancing States IQ. This course is offered at no cost. New users to IQ simply need to create an account for themselves.

Click here for additional information.

Become a Sponsor for the 2024 Home and Community-Based Services Conference Today!

Join policy-makers, experts, and thought leaders from around the country and across the HCBS field for our landmark 40th annual HCBS conference. The HCBS conference brings together attendees and sponsors to learn, share experiences, and foster new relationships. As a sponsor, you'll have the chance to meet and network with over 1,500 attendees, making it a perfect opportunity to promote your brand with a targeted audience!

To learn more, visit hcbsconference.org or contact our Director of Executive Relations, Gabe Passos at gpassos@advancingstates.org. 

Click here to access an infographic showing the kinds of attendees you can expect at the 2024 HCBS Conference!

Click here for additional information on sponsoring the 2024 HCBS conference.

Information on National Vaccine Initiatives and Resources Available on Our Website 

ADvancing States’ website features information on the National Vaccine Initiatives—USAging’s and NCOA’s grant activities, funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), supporting vaccine education and promotion across the aging and disability networks. Grantees include Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, a State Unit on Aging, community organizations, and others. USAging’s ADVC You've Got This campaign and NCOA’s Yes, I’ll Be There campaign promote the importance of vaccinations and overall wellbeing, and help to connect older adults and people with disabilities to local organizations that assist them with vaccinations. Additionally, the Vaccination Program Resources page on ADvancing States’ website includes outreach and community engagement strategies for vaccination programs, information on planning vaccination clinics, examples of partner organizations for vaccine programs, and ADvancing States’ report, “State COVID-19 & Influenza Vaccination Initiatives—Promising Practices”. ADvancing States also has a COVID-19 section on our website with federal guidance and state information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This section highlights a publication or resource that has been added to the HCBS Clearinghouse within the past week. Visit HCBS.org for more information.

U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

New Database of Students and Recent Graduates with Disabilities Seeking Federal Jobs Released

Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) released the 2024 Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) database. This database features 3,300 college students, graduate students, and recent graduates with disabilities seeking federal internships and permanent jobs. Federal Government employees can register to access and search this talent pool. WRP candidates are eligible for expedited hiring under the Schedule A Hiring Authority for Persons with Disabilities, which allows agencies to hire without posting a job announcement or going through the certification process.

Click here to download the WRP 2024 fact sheet and to register to view the WRP talent database. 

Delivering on the Promise of AI to Improve Health Outcomes

On December 14, leading health care providers and payers announced voluntary commitments on the safe, secure, and trustworthy use and purchase of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health care. These voluntary commitments build on ongoing work by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the October 30th AI Executive Order, and earlier commitments that the White House received from 15 leading AI companies to develop models responsibly. Twenty-eight businesses signed the commitment, including Boston Children’s Hospital, CVS Health, Emory Healthcare, Geisinger, Houston Methodist, Mass General Brigham, Rush University System for Health, Tufts Medicine, and WellSpan Health. These organizations commit to notify users of largely AI-generated information, adhere to a risk management model, and pledge to investigate and use AI responsibly, including developing solutions that advance health equity and coordinate care. 

Click here for more information. 

The U.S. Playbook To Address Social Determinants Of Health

The White House has released a playbook centered on addressing social circumstances and related environmental hazards and exposures impacting health outcomes, often referred to as social determinants of health (SDOH). This guide recognizes the complex interrelationship between these factors and their impact on the well-being of individuals. It also outlines a preliminary set of structural measures taken by federal agencies to dismantle these barriers and promote equitable health outcomes for individuals and communities. The Playbook sets the stage for agencies and organizations to re-imagine new policies and actions around SDOH, both inside and outside of government. While this Playbook serves as a starting point, it does not represent a final, comprehensive strategy for addressing SDOH. 

These initial efforts are focused on individual and community-centered interventions with actions grouped into three pillars:

1. Expanding data gathering and sharing
2. Supporting flexible funding to address social needs
3. Supporting backbone organizations

Click here to access the report. 

Further information on addressing social determinants of health can be found in the HHS Call to Action: Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in Communities Across the Nation. 

Administration for Community Living (ACL) 

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Public Comment Request; ACL Generic Clearance for the Collection of Routine Customer Feedback

On November 15, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed information collection requirements relating to the ACL Generic Clearance for the Collection of Routine Customer Feedback, a generic mechanism for Collecting Service Delivery Feedback under the Paperwork Reduction Act. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish a notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

With respect to the following collection of information, ACL invites comments on their burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including:

• Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of ACL's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility;

• The accuracy of ACL's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine burden estimates;

• Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including using automated collection techniques when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

Comments on the collection of information must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. ET or postmarked by January 16, 2024.

Click here to submit a comment.

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Public Comment Request; Independent Living Services (ILS) Program Performance Report (PPR)

On November 15, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed information collection requirements relating to the Administration on Disabilities' Independent Living Services Program Performance Report. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish a notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. 

ACL invites comments on our burden estimates or any other aspect of this collection of information, including:

• Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of ACL's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility;

• The accuracy of ACL's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine burden estimates;

• Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including using automated collection techniques when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

Comments on the collection of information must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. ET or postmarked by January 16, 2024.

Click here to submit a comment. 

People with Disabilities and Clinical Trials: Comment Now, View Video and Slides from Workshop

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) invites people with disabilities, advocates, and their disability networks to submit comments on the recent FDA Workshop to Enhance Clinical Study Diversity. This workshop included discussions focused on the inclusion of people with disabilities, with a focus on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The comment period is open until January 29, 2024, and the information gathered during the FDA workshop, in addition to comments submitted by the public, will form the basis for a report that the FDA will submit to Congress.

To access the workshop segment on inclusion of people with disabilities that features ACL’s Alison Barkoff, start at the 3:14:40 mark of the Day 1 video.

To access the workshop segment titled, “Approaches to Support the Inclusion and Clinical Study Participation of Individuals with Mental Illness,” start at the 0:03:45 mark of the Day 2 video.

For additional information, complete the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative contact form.

Click here to submit comments. These must be submitted by January 29, 2024. 

Public Comment Period Open for Proposed ACL Information Collection Requirements

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) continues to seek public comment on the proposed collection of information requirements relating to the (1) State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Client Contact Forms, and (2) Alzheimer's and Dementia Program Data Reporting Tool (ADP-DRT).

ACL is accepting comments on State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Client Contact Forms until Tuesday, December 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

ACL is accepting comments on the Alzheimer's and Dementia Program Data Reporting Tool (ADP-DRT) until Tuesday, December 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Click here to access the respective notices in the Federal Register. 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 

National Health Expenditures 2022 Highlights

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently shared information on national health expenditures in 2022, highlighting a 4.1% growth in U.S. health care spending to $4.5 trillion. This growth, while faster than the increase of 3.2% in 2021, was notably slower than the substantial increase of 10.6% experienced in 2020. CMS noted the increase in 2022 reflected strong growth in Medicaid and private health insurance spending that was somewhat offset by continued declines in supplemental funding by the federal government associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact sheet also revealed that in 2022, the insured share of the population reached a historic high of 92%. Private health insurance enrollment increased by 2.9 million individuals, and Medicaid enrollment increased by 6.1 million individuals. In 2022, 26.6 million individuals were uninsured, down from 28.5 million in 2021 (a difference of 1.9 million individuals).

This report details:

• Health spending by type of service or product.
• Health spending by major sources of funds.
• Health spending by type of sponsor.

Click here to access the report. 



Reduced Coinsurance for Certain Part B Rebatable Drugs under the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released revised guidance detailing key requirements and procedures for calculating rebates and invoicing manufacturers that owe rebates to Medicare under the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program for certain drugs covered under Medicare Part B and Part D. CMS also released the list of 48 prescription drugs for which Part B beneficiary coinsurances may be lower between January 1, 2024, and March 31, 2024. Some people with Medicare who take these drugs may save between $1 and $2,786 per average dose starting January 1, 2024, depending on their individual coverage.

Click here to access the fact sheet and press release.

2024 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Stakeholder Webinars

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a series of partner webinars to engage Champions for Coverage, Navigators, CACs, Agents/Brokers, partners, issuers, and other stakeholders during the Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. Each meeting will focus on current and new Marketplace resources, theme weeks of action, data snapshots, and other Marketplace updates. These webinars aim to successfully help consumers navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. 

Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2023, to January 15, 2024.

Remaining sessions:​

• Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. ET. 

• Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. ET. 

Click here to register.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS)

Development and Maintenance of Direct Support Worker Registries: Benefits of Utilization and Enhanced Federal Funding Availability 

The Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) has released an Informational Bulletin stressing the pivotal role of worker registries in mitigating the nationwide shortage of direct support workers, particularly within Medicaid-covered home and community-based services (HCBS). The bulletin underscores that these registries, serving as a vital link between service recipients and qualified workers, can significantly improve beneficiary access to essential services. Emphasizing the importance of balancing safety concerns with beneficiary choice, CMS encourages states to educate both workers and beneficiaries about the voluntary or mandatory nature of registry participation. Notably, the bulletin outlines promising practices for states in developing registries, ranging from electronic systems facilitating beneficiary-worker matching to supporting recruitment and retention efforts for a qualified HCBS workforce. Furthermore, the bulletin highlights the availability of enhanced federal funding, providing states with financial support for the development and maintenance of worker registries. States are encouraged to explore these funding opportunities and leverage worker registries to enhance the effectiveness of their Medicaid programs.

Recognizing that registries can significantly improve beneficiary access to essential services, ADvancing States and Altarum built Direct Care Careers (DCC), a customizable, enhanced platform to connect direct service workers with the clients and providers who need them. 

Direct Care Careers provides employers, states, and job seekers with an easy-to-use portal to manage workforce needs.

• Employers can quickly fill staffing gaps through auto-matching capabilities and manage state workforce training requirements.
• States receive actionable data about workforce needs and can communicate directly with providers and workers.
• Workers/Candidates can connect directly with employers, verify certification, and obtain credentials all in one platform.

Click here to learn more about Direct Care Careers, ADvancing States’ comprehensive LTSS Workforce Platform that includes a worker registry, and to read the CMCS bulletin. 

Guidance to State Medicaid Agencies on Dually Eligible Beneficiaries Receiving Medicare Part B Marriage and Family Therapist Services, Mental Health Counselor Services, and Intensive Outpatient Services

On December 14, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) issued an Informational Bulletin to advise state Medicaid agencies that starting January 1, 2024, Medicare will begin covering and making payments for marriage and family therapists (MFT) and mental health counselors (MHC), and intensive outpatient program (IOP) services provided to dually eligible beneficiaries, or individuals enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. These provisions were implemented as part of the Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Physician Fee Schedule final rule (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-1784-F, “Revisions to Payment Policies under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Quality Payment Program and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2024”) and the CY 2024 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) final rule (CMS-1786-F), issued on November 2, 2023. 

For dually eligible beneficiaries who receive Medicaid coverage of services furnished by MFTs or MHCs, or IOP services furnished by hospital outpatient departments, community mental health centers (CMHC), rural health clinics (RHC), federally qualified health centers (FQHC), or opioid treatment programs (OTP), starting January 1, 2024, Medicare will become the primary payer for these services provided by Medicare-enrolled practitioners or providers. The Informational Bulletin provides background information on the enrollment of MHCs, MFTs, and providers of IOP services as Medicare practitioners and clarification on options available for coordination of benefits/third-party liability under Medicaid. 

Click here to access the bulletin.

Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS)

Request for Applications: Medicaid Health-Related Social Needs Implementation Learning Series

The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), in collaboration with the Kaiser Permanente National Community Benefit Fund at The East Bay Community Foundation, has announced its upcoming "Medicaid Health-Related Social Needs Implementation Learning Series." This series aims to assist up to nine Medicaid agencies in developing, implementing, or refining high-impact initiatives to address health-related social needs (HRSN). Over the course of 12 months, participating states will engage in peer-to-peer learning sessions focused on enhancing and expanding HRSN programs within Medicaid-managed care organizations, health care systems, and community-based organizations (CBOs). The curriculum will prioritize fostering partnerships, establishing accountability mechanisms, translating emerging best practices, and creating Medicaid benefits based on existing and emerging evidence.

CHCS welcomes applications from Medicaid officials and teams to participate in this 12-month collaborative beginning in March 2024. States, commonwealths, and territories looking for timely support for HSRN initaitves should consider applying.

Upcoming dates:

• Tuesday, January 9 – Letter of intent to apply due by 5:00 p.m. ET.
• Tuesday, January 23 – Applications due by 5:00 p.m. ET.
• Thursday, February 29 – Selection notification.

Click here for additional information.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) 

JAN Accommodation and Compliance Webcast Series

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Accommodation and Compliance Webcast Series returns in January 2024 with a series of eight webcasts featuring a range of disability employment topics. Participants will gain an understanding of workplace accommodation issues and discover practical insights into the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related laws during this virtual training series. This training will explore innovative and inclusive approaches for navigating the job accommodation process and complying with Title I of the ADA and related laws, including the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). 

Upcoming Events:

• “ADA and Beyond Compliance Considerations: Medical Documentation” - Thursday, January 11 at 2:00 p.m. ET. 

• “Ask JAN! Q&A: Sensory Team Edition” - Thursday, March 14 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

• “Accommodating Employees with Diverse Cognitive and Neurological Needs” - Thursday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

• “Ask JAN! Q&A: Cognitive / Neurological Team Edition” - Thursday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET. 

• “Navigating Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Accommodation Requests and Exploring the Interplay of the Americans with Disabilities Act” - Thursday, July 11 at 2:00 p.m. ET. 

• “Ask JAN! Q&A: Motor Team Edition” - Thursday, September 12 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

• “Portable, Wearable, Totable: Accommodating with Technologies that Go With You” - Thursday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

• “Ask JAN! Q&A: Year End Review–Accommodations at Work” - Thursday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m. ET. 

Click here to register. 

Justice in Aging

Q&A: Topics in SSI–Practical Tips on Recent SSI and Social Security Changes Webinar

On December 14, Justice in Aging released a Q&A covering common questions raised during their recent webinar titled, “Topics in SSI – Practical Tips on Recent SSI and Social Security Changes.” Topics addressed in this Q&A include the 60-day appeal period, the SSI protective filing tool, SSI exclusion of pandemic-related financial assistance, and ABLE accounts, among other things. Information will also be provided on how to reach local Regional Communications Directors and other points of contact at SSA.

Click here to access the Q&A.

Rights and Wrongs in Medicaid-Funded Assisted Living

Justice in Aging has released a fact sheet focusing on Medicaid-funded assisted living facilities and their compliance with federal laws. This resource equips residents and their representatives with advocacy tools to ensure facilities follow the law and treat residents appropriately. Although this guide focuses on assisted living, the relevant federal laws cover any similar residential setting reimbursed through Medicaid HCBS. Accordingly, this guide’s advice generally applies to HCBS-funded facilities for persons with disabilities, such as group homes and adult residential facilities.

This fact sheet will address the following topics:

• Autonomy and privacy
• Decorating and furnishing the living unit
• Access to the community
• Visitors
• Physical access and freedom to move
• Evictions; Unit-to-unit moves within the facility

Click here to access the fact sheet. 

KFF



A Snapshot of Sources of Coverage Among Medicare Beneficiaries

On December 13, KFF released a snapshot analyzing the different types of coverage that people with Medicare have and the demographic characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries with these different coverage types, based on data from the 2021 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). This snapshot of coverage highlights that roughly half of all beneficiaries are enrolled in traditional Medicare and about half are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, such as an HMO or PPO. Among beneficiaries in traditional Medicare, most have some type of additional coverage that helps limit their exposure to Medicare’s cost-sharing requirements.

This snapshot highlights characteristics of Medicare Beneficiaries for the following sources of coverage: 

• Traditional Medicare
• Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance)
• Employer coverage
• Medicare Advantage
• No supplemental coverage

Click here to access the snapshot.

Who Uses Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports?

KFF’s recent issue brief, “Who Uses Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports?,” examines the characteristics of Medicaid enrollees who receive long-term services and supports (LTSS). LTSS can include assistance with activities of daily living (such as eating, bathing, and dressing) and instrumental activities of daily living (such as preparing meals, managing medication, and housekeeping). The issue brief also examines how individuals who use LTSS compare to those who do not use LTSS and how enrollees who use different types of LTSS differ from each other.

Click here to access the issue brief. 

Mathematica

Child and Adult Core Sets for the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Quality Measurement Program Webinars

Mathematica is hosting an upcoming webinar series exploring the annual review of the Child and Adult Core Sets for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Quality Measurement Program. The Core Sets are key indicators of the quality of health care that Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries receive. The Core Sets Annual Review Workgroup meetings are open to the public, and Mathematica invites those with an interest in Medicaid and CHIP health care quality measurement to attend.  

Upcoming Events:

• “Meeting to Prepare for the 2026 Review” - Wednesday, January 10 at 2:00 p.m. ET. 

• “Meeting to Review Measures for the 2026 Child and Adult Core Sets” - Tuesday, February 6, and Wednesday, February 7 from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET. 

Click here to register.

New Medicaid and CHIP Scorecard Seeks to Increase Program Transparency

Mathematica, in support of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), contributed to the development of the 2023 Medicaid & Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Scorecard. This scorecard aims to provide a clear look at agency and state-reported data to improve transparency about the administration and outcomes of these programs. The MAC Scorecard, which is available at Medicaid.gov, draws on more than 30 data sets derived from state and federal reporting efforts. The measures selected for inclusion in the MAC Scorecard represent key data points that reflect CMS’s priorities across various facets of Medicaid and CHIP.

The redesign of the scorecard web application enables users to:

• Search for measures by name, keywords, or category.
• View summary-level and detailed information about each measure.
• Download measure information into files and export it into images.
• View and interact with data in a variety of ways, including sortable bar graphs, line graphs, tables, and maps.
• View data for certain measures across a period of time (months, quarters, or years) and at the national and state level.

Click here to access the 2023 MAC Scorecard. 

National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS)

Everyone Can Self-Direct: Lessons Learned from the NCAPPS Self-Direction Learning Collaborative

The National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) is hosting an upcoming webinar to share lessons learned from their Self-Direction Learning Collaborative. In 2022, NCAPPS determined that there was a need for a national effort to expand the quality and availability of self-direction as a person-centered option available to a wide variety of potential participants. To achieve this goal, NCAPPS created the Self-Direction Learning Collaborative, which brought together teams and experts from across the country to learn from each other as they worked to improve self-direction in their states during a period of 18 months. This upcoming webinar will highlight the successes of two Learning Collaborative teams: Colorado and Ohio. It will also introduce a new publicly available NCAPPS resource, A Guide for Developing Strategic Objectives to Expand Self-Direction, which offers a road map for public managers and advocacy organizations looking to make self-direction more available and accessible in their own states.

Presenters:

• Valerie J. Bradley, Founder and President Emerita, Human Services Research Institute
• Jessica Corral, Contract Specialist for Participant Directed Programs, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
• Emily Harvey, In-Home Supports Services Policy Advisor, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
• Oliver Giminaro, Co-Chair, Direct Care Workforce Collaborative in Colorado
• Dana Charlton, Director, Ohio Self Determination Association
• Lisa Comes, Service and Support Advisor, Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities

This webinar will take place on Wednesday, January 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Click here to register. 

National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

Visiting Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities During the Holidays

A recently published fact sheet from the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care offers guidance for visiting residents in long-term care facilities during the holiday season. This fact sheet outlines the importance of visits from family members in supporting residents’ emotional well-being and ensuring that residents receive quality care. It also emphasizes the rights of residents and family members to determine what visits involve and when they take place. Additionally, Consumer Voice provides practical tips and activity ideas for family visits, along with suggestions for engaging residents during the gift-giving season, including examples of suitable gifts for residents. 

Click here to access the fact sheet.

National Council on Aging (NCOA)

4 Steps to Combat Loneliness in Older Adults

The National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) article “Your Mental Health This Holiday and Beyond: 4 Steps to Combat Loneliness in Seniors” notes that loneliness among older adults can be difficult during the holidays, especially for individuals who live alone. The U.S. Census estimates that as many as 27% of adults age 65 and older lived alone in 2020; however, a person may experience loneliness even if they live with other people. Loneliness can affect anyone who does not feel meaningful connections with others. NCOA’s article shares four tips for staying connected with loved ones during this holiday season, including prioritizing communication, facilitating social activities through local organizations, considering hobbies and other areas of interest, and identifying opportunities to combat loneliness at any time. 

Click here to access the article.

National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)

2024 Annual Conference Call for Workshop Proposals

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) has released a call for workshop proposals for its 2024 Annual Conference on Independent Living, themed "Back to the Future 2024." This year’s conference will take place onsite in Washington, D.C., and will feature 25 in-person workshops.

NCIL seeks workshops in the following tracks:

• Youth, Young Adults, and the Movement: Workshops addressing youth with disabilities, youth leadership, employment, and transitions.
• Intergenerational Leadership: Workshops looking into how we can work together as leaders of different generations and experiences to lead the IL Movement into the future.
• Back to Our Future: Workshops addressing the history of systems advocacy and the “it factor” of our past and present leaders. This track will offer insight into the roots of Independent Living and discuss how we can use history to move forward together.
• Technology & Innovation: Workshops that explore recent technological innovations and ideas and how they have promoted independent living philosophy.
• Independent Living Across the Globe: Workshops that look into how disability and independent living work abroad and what we can learn from each other. 

Priority will be given to workshops that address these topics through the lenses of anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI); and disability justice.

Interested presenters should submit their proposals by Monday, January 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Click here for additional information. 

2024-2025 Fellowship - The White House

The White House is currently seeking applications for the 2024-2025 White House Fellowship. This fellowship will offer first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal Government on a strictly non-partisan basis. Selected individuals will spend one year in Washington, D.C., working as full-time paid government employees, aiding Cabinet Secretaries, senior White House staff, and other top-ranking government officials. The 2024-2025 White House Fellows Program year will begin in August 2024, and conclude in August 2025. All applicants must be United States citizens and have completed their undergraduate education.

Selection criteria include:

• A record of remarkable early-career professional achievement.
• Evidence of leadership skills and the potential for further growth.
• A demonstrated commitment to public service.
• The skills to succeed at the highest levels of the Federal Government and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

The application will remain open until Friday, January 5 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Click here to access the job posting.

The Link Center

Supporting Crisis Services to Ensure Optimal Coordination for Children and Adults with Co-Occurring Cognitive Disabilities and Behavioral Health Conditions Policy Academy

The Link Center has released a Request for Applications (RFA) for its Policy Academy program titled “Supporting Crisis Services to Ensure Optimal Coordination for Children and Adults with Co-Occurring Cognitive Disabilities and Behavioral Health Conditions.” The Link Center’s Policy Academy will assist as many as five state, territory, or tribal teams in creating resources and standard operating strategies that support an inclusive, accessible 988/Lifeline and crisis response system. The Academy will train teams to develop critical in-state, cross-systems strategies that support children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), brain injury (BI), and other cognitive and/or communication disabilities or differences who need 988 or other crisis response services. Successful teams will include representatives from across state/tribe/territory systems. This policy academy is funded through an agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The Link Center will also host an informational meeting on the application process on Thursday, January 4 at 2:00 p.m. ET. 

The application deadline for this opportunity is on Friday, January 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Submissions should be emailed to TheLinkCenter@NASDDDS.org

Click here to access the Request for Application (RFA).

Administration for Community Living (ACL) - National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)

Switzer Research Fellowships Program

On December 1, The Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) announced a new funding opportunity for the Switzer Research Fellowships Program. The purpose of this program is to build research capacity by providing support to highly qualified individuals, including those who have disabilities, to conduct research on the rehabilitation of people with disabilities. Fellows must conduct original research in an area authorized by Section 204 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. This may include research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of people with disabilities.

NIDILRR plans to make six fellowship awards under this opportunity. Fellowship awards will have one 12-month project period.

The application deadline for this opportunity is on Tuesday, January 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Click here to apply and for additional information. 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) -Office of Multifamily Housing

HUD Announces $212 Million Funding Opportunity to Expand Affordable Housing Options for Persons with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Multifamily Housing has announced the availability of $212 million in funding to expand affordable housing and supportive services for very-low and extremely-low-income people with disabilities through the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program. This program aims to create, subsidize, and provide supportive services for rental housing to meet the needs of this population. Through the Section 811 Capital Advance/Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) program, $106 million in capital advances can be used for the development of new or rehabilitation of existing supportive housing, along with project rental subsidies to keep homes affordable. The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) will also provide $106 million to state housing and other agencies for project rental assistance to cover the difference between the tenants’ contributions toward rental payments and the HUD-approved rent for the property for eligible tenants with disabilities.

The application deadline for this opportunity is on Thursday, February 8 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Click here to apply and for additional information. 

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Fiscal Year 2024 Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced an opportunity to apply for $4.7 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding under the Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) pilot program. This funding opportunity seeks to improve coordination to enhance access and mobility to vital community services for older adults, people with disabilities, and people with lower incomes. As required by federal public transportation law, funds will be awarded competitively as grants to finance innovative mobility management capital projects that will improve the coordination of transportation services and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services. An additional $4.8 million is authorized for FY 2024, and FTA may award additional funding that is made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections. Eligible applicants are designated or direct recipients of FTA’s Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disability Formula Program, governmental entities that operate a public transportation service, or their eligible subrecipients that have the authority and technical capacity to implement a regional or statewide cost allocation pilot. 

The application deadline for this opportunity is on Tuesday, February 13 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Click here to apply and for additional information. 

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program

The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced an opportunity to apply for funding under the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP). The purpose of the GWEP is to educate and train the health care and supportive care workforces to care for older adults by collaborating with community partners. Applicants must maximize patient and family engagement to address care gaps and improve health outcomes for older adults by integrating geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties using the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework. 

The following entities are eligible to apply:

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
• Others (Additional information on eligibility can be found at the link below)

The application deadline for this opportunity is on Monday, February 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Click here to apply and for additional information.