A pdf version of this newsletter can be found at http://www.pascenter.org/newsletter/CenterforPASBulletinApr11.pdf
Previous newsletters can be found at http://www.pascenter.org/newsletter/index.php
Center for Personal Assistance Services Bulletin
April 2011 - Volume 8, Issue 2
In this issue:
- News
- Research articles and reports
- Policy and Legislation
- On the Center for PAS website
- Selected Conferences During April, May and June 2011
The Center for Personal Assistance Services provides research, training, dissemination and technical assistance on issues of personal assistance services (PAS) in the United States. Personal assistance services (PAS) refer to help provided to people with disabilities to assist them with tasks essential for daily living. These tasks include bathing, dressing, getting around, toileting, eating, shopping, remembering things, and other activities. PAS, along with assistive technology such as wheelchairs, text readers, and hearing aides, help people with disabilities to participate in activities at home, at work, and in the community.
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide the latest news on issues relating to formal and informal PAS, home & community-based services, the PAS workforce, and workplace PAS within and outside of the Center.
Further detail about the Center staff and advisors can be found at
http://www.pascenter.org/about/
News
PAS Center's Work On HCBS Included In Kaiser Briefing
The Kaiser Family Foundation held a policy briefing on February 7, 2011 to examine provisions in the health reform law designed to improve long-term services and supports. The event featured opening remarks by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, as well as a panel discussion on Medicaid’s role and Kaiser’s latest data findings regarding long-term services and supports for seniors and people with disabilities.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=342
New Federal Funding For Home And Community-Based Services Announced
Approximately $4.3 billion in federal funds have been made available to help states establish and expand home and community-based long-term services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities. The new funds will support the Money Follows the Person demonstration program.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=352
13 States Receive Additional Funding For Money Follows The Person
The Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that 13 states would receive more than $45 million in Money Follows the Person (MFP) grants to start the programs in their states with an additional $621 million committed through 2016. This additional funding is projected to help states transition 13,000 people out of institutions and into the community.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=364
New Publication On Preparing For Long-Term Care
Nearly all Americans will have to deal with long-term care either for themselves or for parents, relatives, friends, or neighbors however, most people are ill-prepared for.
A new book by Bob Kane MD. Called, "The Good Caregiver" is intended as a survival guide for caregivers. Part instruction manual, part essential planner the book aims to provide answers to some of the difficult scenarios faced by caregivers.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=353
New VA Support Line Provides Important Assistance To Caregivers
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is increasing its support to caregivers with a new, toll-free telephone line for the caregivers of Veterans of all eras.
"The families and loved ones who care for severely injured Veterans deserve the highest level of support," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=348
Analysis Of PHI Factsheet On Direct-Care Workers Featured In Healthcare Finance News
Stephanie Bouchard, Associate Editor, Healthcare Finance News - "The poor quality of direct-care workers’ jobs endangers the country’s caregiving infra-structure, according to PHI, a national nonprofit organization advocating for the direct-care workforce in home and residential settings."
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=363
Four Extraordinary Programs Awarded $20,000 Each In National Campaign
Family Caregiver Alliance and The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards.
Awards of $20,000 each will be presented to four organizations in recognition of programs that exemplify outstanding service and innovative strategies in serving individuals with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=339
Family Caregiver Briefcase Now Available
The American Psychological Association's Family Caregiver Briefcase is now available. An online resource for those who work with family caregivers, the Briefcase can help professionals recognize, anticipate, and reduce the stresses on family caregivers. It provides guidance on how to assist caregivers through individual and organizational practice, research, teaching, and community service. Segments of the briefcase are also useful for family caregivers.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=356
U.S. Attorney Sues New York City for Medicaid Fraud
The suit alleges that the city's Medicaid program had improperly authorized 24-hour, community-based personal care services for frail elders and people with disabilities when these consumers would be better served in a nursing home.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=340
New York Seeks To Reduce Medicaid Spending
New York state spent more than $20 billion on Medicaid this fiscal year - or nearly a quarter of the total operating budget. With the state confronting a projected $10 billion deficit for next year, Governor Andrew Cuomo has little choice but to cut back the program.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=350
Medicaid-Covered Services Must Be Restored For 3 With Disabilities During Suit
South Carolina must restore Medicaid-covered services for three disabled upstate residents while their lawsuit alleging that program reductions violated the Americans with Disabilities Act goes to trial, a U.S. district judge in Greenville ruled Monday.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=354
Case Involving Disabled Men Heading To Court
A case involving three Maine men with cerebral palsy who are suing the state over their living situation appears headed to court.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=345
At State-Run Homes, Abuse And Impunity
Nearly 40 years after New York emptied its scandal-ridden warehouses for the develop-mentally disabled, the far-flung network of small group homes that replaced them operates with scant oversight and few consequences for employees who abuse the vulnerable population.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=357
Olmstead Ruling Enforcer Winning Over Advocates
Forty-year-old Sam Bagenstos has the nursing home industry quaking in its boots. Bagenstos is the U.S. deputy assistant attorney general. Since he was hired by the Department of Justice in 2009, enforcement of the Olmstead ruling has become a high priority for the man considered the top disability lawyer at the DOJ's Civil Rights Division.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=351
Los Angeles' Disaster Plans Discriminate Against People With Disabilities, Judge Rules
The city of Los Angeles is discriminating against people with disabilities by not including them in city disaster planning, according to a district court judge.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=346
Getting Online Is A Struggle For The Disabled
Several recent reports tell a troubling story about Americans with disabilities: while many would have no trouble using the Internet, a large percentage lack access to it in the home.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=341
USBLN And ODEP Partner To Promote Employment Of Qualified Job Seekers With Disabilities
The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®), together with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), announced a partnership aimed at further promotion of the recruitment and hiring of qualified individuals with disabilities. The Workforce Recruitment Program database contains more than 2,200 pre-screened college and university students with disabilities who are looking for summer or full time jobs.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=360
Research Articles and Reports
New Center Report Looks At Ways To Improve The Direct-Care Workforce
This article by Dorie Seavey presents an overview of the direct-care workforce, touching upon training requirements, demographics, wages and benefits, and employment settings. It notes that, despite the U.S. needing more direct-care workers than ever, job quality in the field remains extremely low. The article proceeds to list several ways that policymakers and employer practices can improve the quality of direct-care jobs.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1155
PHI Releases New Analysis On The Direct-Care Workforce
A new PHI analysis of the direct-care workforce shows that the wages and benefits for these frontline health care workers continue to be woefully inadequate.
"The problematic quality of direct-care jobs continues to undermine America's capacity to produce a caregiving workforce that can deliver the basic hands-on services and supports demanded by millions of elders and persons with disabilities needing assistance with basic daily activities and tasks," said PHI Director of Policy Research Dorie Seavey, Ph.D.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=355
Study Increases Understanding And Awareness Of The Home Technologies That Can Help Family Caregivers
The study surveyed 1,000 family caregivers who have already used the Internet or some other technology to support their caregiving. It assessed how helpful 12 particular technologies would be in supporting caregivers or helping them provide care.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1141
Center Issue Brief Provides Data Update On Medicaid Home And Community-Based Service Programs
This report by Charlene Harrington, Terence Ng and Jhamirah Howard presents a summary of the main trends to emerge from the latest (2007) expenditures and participant data for the three main Medicaid HCBS programs. It also presents 2009 findings on the policies used in these three programs, including eligibility criteria, provider, service and waiting list data.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1150
Report Describes Key Medicaid Changes Recommended As Part Of Broad-Based Deficit- And Debt-Reduction Packages
In response to mounting concern about the nation’s rising debt and deficit, and increasing apprehension about the federal budget, prominent leaders and various commissions have come forward with recommendations to strengthen the economy and bolster the nation’s fiscal health. These proposals include both tax increases and spending reductions in discretionary programs, including defense, and in mandatory programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1124
New Report Provides The Latest National And State Data On Medicaid Enrollment And Spending For Individuals Enrolled In Both Medicaid And Medicare
In 2007 there were were about 8.9 millioni ndividuals enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare (also known as dual eligibles). Dual eligibles are among the sickest and poorest individuals covered by either the Medicaid or Medicare programs. Although they comprised 15 percent of Medicaid enrollment, dual eligibles accounted for 39 percent ($121 billion) of Medicaid spending for medical services. F
or more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1125
New Factsheet Looks At Medicaid’s Role For Dual Eligibles
This updated fact sheet describes the nearly 8.9 million "dual eligibles", the low-income elderly and persons with disabilities who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, why this population needs Medicaid and what services they receive from Medicaid.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1128
New Report Looks At Variations In Medicaid Spending Across Regions And Counties In New York
Among the findings in this report, spending in New York City accounted for 66% of long-term care spending statewide, a level higher than the city's share of all elderly and disabled Medicaid beneficiaries in the state.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1144
A 2010 Snapshot Of The Money Follows The Person (MFP) Demonstration Grant Program
In 2010, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured surveyed states about the current status of their MFP program, including trends in enrollment, services and per capita spending. This year’s survey is a follow-up to the 2008 KCMU MFP survey and highlights findings based on responses from twenty-six states.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1149
Case Study: Ohio's Money Follows the Person Demonstration
This case study of Ohio's Money Follows the Person demonstration, known as HOME Choice, describes key features of the program and highlights early program experiences.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1151
Report Who Should Pay For Long-Term Care, Families Or Taxpayers?
This report discusses a public-private effort in New York - the New York State Partnership for Long Term Care - that encourages state residents to purchase insurance to cover their long-term care expenses and guarantees they will not need to sell off their assets if the insurance runs out.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1123
The Impact Of The Great Recession On Long-Term Services And Supports - State Profiles
This report is the most comprehensive analysis to date on the budget cuts to both Medicaid and non-Medicaid funded long-term services and supports (LTSS) in each state. It also illustrates state-by-state how LTSS are financed.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1130
Report Finds That States Continue To Feel The Recession's Impact
The worst recession since the 1930s has caused the steepest decline in state tax receipts on record. State tax collections, adjusted for inflation, are now 12 percent below pre-recession levels, while the need for state-funded services has not declined. As a result, even after making very deep spending cuts over the last two years, states continue to face large budget gaps.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1157
New Publication Looks At Why Employers Don’t Hire And Retain Workers With Disabilities
This study from H. Stephen Kaye, Lita Jans and Erica Jones uses a novel approach to survey human resource professionals and supervisors working for employers known or reputed to be resistant to complying with the ADA’s employment provisions. The results rate various possible reasons that employers in general might not hire, retain, or accommodate workers with disabilities and strategies and policy changes that might make it more likely for employers to do so.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1154
Report Explore The Relationship Between Employees' Access To Flexible Working Arrangements And The Amount Of Informal Care They Provide To Sick Or Elderly
Flexitime and the ability to reduce working hours are each associated with about 10% more hours of informal care, with effects concentrated among full-time workers providing small amounts of care.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1132
Running Out Of Time, Money And Independence?
A first person article by a professor forced into retirement by a severe disability was recently published in Health Affairs. In the article the professor describes how his personal care assistants are essential, but that soon he may not be able to afford their help and possibly becoming institutionalized as a result.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1134
Report Documents The Relatively High Rates Of Hospital Stays, Emergency Room Visits Among Long-Term Care Facility Residents
This report finds that Medicare per capita spending for Medicare beneficiaries living in nursing homes, assisted-living centers and other long-term care facilities, $14,538 in 2006, is more than twice the average for all other beneficiaries that year.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1127
Policy and Legislation
New Report From FEMA Provides Guidance On General Population Shelters
This document provides guidance to assist emergency managers and shelter planners in under-standing the requirements related to sheltering children and adults with functional support needs in general population shelters.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1136
DOJ Release ADA Best Practices Tool Kit
The Tool Kit is designed to teach state and local government officials how to identify and fix problems that prevent people with disabilities from gaining equal access to state and local government programs, services, and activities.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1137
Assisted Living State Regulatory Review 2011
This report offers a state-by-state summary of assisted living regulations covering 21 categories; provides contact information for state agencies that oversee assisted living activities; and includes each agency’s Web site address.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1153
Fact Sheet Highlighting Cuts Affecting Seniors In California's 2010-11 Enacted Budget
This new fact sheet provides a breakdown of how the 2010-2011 California state budget affects the state's seniors. Included is a brief summary of final cuts to In-Home Supportive Services.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=322
Proposed Cuts To California IHSS Could Face Legal Challenges
California would face legal risks if proposed cuts to its In-Home Supportive Services program are enacted, according to a January report issued by the state's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=343
California Legislative Analyst Office Suggests Minimum Wage For IHSS As Alternative
If California lawmakers and voters reject Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) proposed tax extensions, IHSS worker pay could be cut to minimum wage, according to a review by the Legislative Analyst's Office. Worth an estimated $300 million, the IHSS cut is one of several offered in the review, which was requested by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=349
Commonwealth Of Virginia Receives Letter From Department Of Justice Regarding Central Virginia Training Center
The DOJ's investigation of the Central Virginia Training Center, regarding its compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Supreme Court decision in the Olmstead case in 1999 has now been completed.
The investigation, which began in 2008, comprehensively examined Virginia's structure for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
For more information go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/news/news_home.php?id=347
Report By Legislative Budget Board Staff On Residential Services For Persons With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In Texas
This report, providing detailed analysis of the cost of services delivered at state centers, identifies ongoing challenges in care delivery, and includes recommendations to reshape and modernize the system of state supported living centers.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/publications/publication_home.php?id=1131
On the Center Web Page
New Center Disability Data From The 2009 American Community Survey
Tables and charts on people with disabilities and, prevalence, age & gender, race, living quarters, employment, income, benefits & health coverage are available now on the PAS Center website.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/state_based_stats/disability_stats/acs_disability_data.php
New Ask Mike Questions And Responses
Recently, Mike Oxford answered questions concerning:
- Being paid to care for a disabled family member.
- Starting up a provider agency.
- Will my husband’s social security affect my VA benefits.
- Forced to a particular pharmacy.
- Max income while still qualifying for Medicaid.
- Running out of funds to pay housing.
To read all of the Ask Mike letters and responses, go to:
http://pascenter.org/pas_users/ask_mike/index.php
New Audio Policy Updates
A new policy update has been added which summarizes the introduction of a new Senate bill:
- Proposed rules implementing the Community First Choice Option. Part 1 & 2.
For more information go to:
http://pascenter.org/policy/index.php
Selected Conferences During April, May and June, 2011
For more detail about these conferences, go to:
http://www.pascenter.org/conferences/index.php
April
April 13 - April 16, 2011 2011 ADARA ConferenceHosted by: ADARA
Location: San Diego, CA
http://www.adara.org/
April 13, 2011 Customized Employment Strategies For Students Who Are Deaf-Blind
Hosted by: NCDB
Location: Webinar,10:00 11:30 am PT
http://www.nationaldb.org/ISFutureWebinars.php?rid=2169 April 18 - April 19, 2011 27th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities. Humanity: Advancing Inclusion, Equality and Diversity
Hosted by: Center on Disability Studies
Location: Honolulu, HI
http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/
April 26 - April 30, 2011 Aging in America 2011 ASA Conference
Hosted by: National Council on Aging
Location: San Francisco, CA.
http://www.asaging.org/aia11/index.cfm
April 27 - April 28, 2011 NARRTC 2011 Annual Conference
Hosted by: NARRTC
Location: Bethesda, MD
http://narrtc.org/conferences.php
May
May 03 - May 05, 2011 11th Annual Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, And Disability ConferenceHosted by: Ohio State University
Location: Columbus, OH.
http://ada.osu.edu/conferences.htm
May 08 - May 11, 2011 2011 National ADA Symposium
Hosted by: ADA Network
Location: Las Vegas, NV.
http://nationaladasymposium.org/home.html
May 09 - May 10, 2011 23rd Annual Wisconsin Conference On Brain Injury
Hosted by: BIAW
Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI.
http://www.biaw.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?id=66742
May 11, 2011 11th Annual Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion, and Disability Conference
Hosted by: Ohio State University
Location: Columbus Campus, Ohio
http://ada.osu.edu/conferences.htm
May 24 - May 25, 2011 National Brain Injury Employment Conference: Strategies For Success
Hosted by: CTAT and Denver Options
Location: Aurora, CO.
http://ctat-training.com/node/1920
June
June 05 - June 08, 2011 Leading Cultures Of Innovation And AdvocacyHosted by: ANCOR
Location: National Harbor, MD.
http://www.ancor.org/events/2011/06/ancors-2011-conference-leading-cultures-of-innovation-and-advocacy
June 05 - June 08, 2011 Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology
Hosted by: FICCDAT
Location: Toronto, Canada
http://www.confmanager.com/main.cfm?cid=1559
June 05 - June 08, 2011 Annual RESNA Conference
Hosted by: Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
Location: Toronto
http://resna.org/conference/annual-resna-conference
June 06 - June 09, 2011 AAIDD 135th Annual Conference. Inclusive Communities: Pathways to Realizing the Vision
Hosted by: AAIDD
Location: Twin Cities, MN.
http://www.aaidd.org/content_223.cfm?navid=75
June 07 - June 10, 2011 23rd Annual Post Secondary Disability Training Institute
Hosted by: U of CT
Location: Portland, ME.
http://www.cped.uconn.edu/11pti.html
June 09 - June 11, 2011 Mental Health America's 2011 Annual Conference
Hosted by: MHA
Location: Washington, D.C.
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/conference
June 09, 2011 "Inclusive Communities: Pathways To Realizing The Vision" AAIDD National Conference
Hosted by: AAIDD
Location: Twin Cities, MN.
http://www.aaidd.org/content_223.cfm?navid=75
June 12 - June 14, 2011 Annual Research Meeting
Hosted by: AcademyHealth
Location: Seattle, WA
http://www.academyhealth.org/Events/content.cfm?ItemNumber=882&navItemNumber=529
June 14, 2011 Understanding and Accommodating Allergies in the Workplace
Hosted by: Job Accommodation Network
Location: Webcast: 2.00pm - 3.00pm ET.
http://askjan.org/webcast/
June 14 - June 16, 2011 22nd National APSE Conference
Hosted by: APSE
Location: Seattle, WA
http://www.apse.org/training/lead.cfm
June 14 - June 16, 2011 CDC Disability and Health Partners Meeting: Building Healthy Communities for Everyone
Hosted by: AUCD
Location: Chicago, IL.
http://www.aucd.org/template/event.cfm?event_id=2443&id=379&parent=379
June 16, 2011 Creating a Model with Business: Common Sense Approaches to Access & Accommodations
Hosted by: National Network of ADA Centers
Location: Webcast: 1.30pm - 3.00pm EST.
http://www.adacourse.org/events.php?eventid=528
June 21, 2011 Reasonable Accommodation
Hosted by: National Network of DBTAC-Regional ADA Centers
Location: Webcast, 1 pm central
http://www.ada-audio.org/Schedule/
June 25 - June 26, 2011 2011 Independence Expo, New York
Hosted by: Independence Expo
Location: Brentwood, NY.
http://www.independenceexpo.org/
This document was developed by the Center for Personal Assistance Services, funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDDR) of the US Department of Education, grant #H133B031102 & H133B080002. The opinions contained in this publication are those of the grantee/contractor and do not necessarily reflect those of the US Department of Education. Please credit the source and support of federal funds.
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