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In Attendance: Anne Broadhurst, OPA; Elizabeth D'Amico, DMHAS; Dick
Edmonds, DPH; Roger Frant, SDE; David Guttchen, OPM; John Halliday, BRS/DSS;
Brian Sigman, BESB; Diane M. Wixted, CDHI; Diana LaRocco, DMR; Dorian
Long, DCF; Steven Staugaitis, DMR
Guests: Christine Gaynor, Real Choice Systems Change Grant;
Lynda Pletcher, Real Choice Systems Change Grant; Paul Ford, Nursing
Facilities Transition Grant; Dawn Lambert, Nursing Facilities Transition
Grant
Introductions and Opening Remarks
Diana LaRocco and Steven Staugaitis briefly reviewed the history of the
Advisory Commission on Services and Supports for Persons with
Developmental Disabilities who do not have Mental Retardation
(Commission). The Interagency Developmental Disabilities Workgroup (IDDW)
has been formed in response to the work of the Commission and will focus
its efforts on implementing the Commission's recommendations. The primary
goals of the IDDW are:
- Coordination of existing state funded or provided resources,
programs, and services at both the state- and local-level
- Enhancement of local capacity to meet the needs of individuals with
developmental disabilities across the lifespan.
Outcomes of December 10, 2002 "Information Meeting"
Diana briefly updated the group on the December 10, 2002 "Information
Meeting for State Appointed, and State Administered Federally Required,
Advisory and Governing Boards, Councils and Commissions". She
reported that the representatives in attendance wanted to actively
participate in the work of the IDDW. It was suggested that the councils
look at their mandates and identify where there was overlap. There was
agreement regarding the importance of identifying common interests and
developing a unified voice based on these interests. Diana also noted that
these representatives would like to see future multi-council meetings for
the purposes of sharing information and developing a common agenda. The
representatives in attendance agreed to ask their respective groups to
identify persons who would be willing to participate in the work of IDDW.
Coordination of IDDW Efforts with Statewide Grant Initiatives
Diana noted that Connecticut currently has several grants from the Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that directly relate to the work
of the IDDW. They include the Real Choice Systems Change Grant, the
Nursing Facilities Transition Grant, and the Connect-to-Work Project.
Their person-centered, community based nature mirror the guiding
principles set forth in the Commission's recommendations. David Guttchen
suggested that we dovetail our work with these grants and thus maximize
the influence of IDDW efforts.
Real Choice Systems Change Grant: Christine Gaynor and Lynda
Pletcher presented information on the Real Choice Systems Change Grant.
The primary goals of the grant are:
- To build the capacity within the state of Connecticut to support
informed decision-making, independent living, and a meaningful quality
of life for persons with disabilities across the life span
- To assist three communities in Connecticut to become models of
support for opportunities and choices for persons with disabilities
across the life span.
Key objectives of this grant include a) consumer participation in all
aspects of the project (e.g., staff, steering committee, workgroups), b)
training of state agency personnel, c) workforce expansion, and d) the
development of three model communities. Christine shared copies of the
grant tasks and timelines and a draft of the Model Community Application.
She anticipates that an announcement regarding the Model Community
Application will go to Connecticut cities and towns at the end of January.
For specific information about this grant, please contact Christine Gaynor
at (860) 679-1534 or gaynor@uchc.edu.
Nursing Facilities Transition Grant: Dawn Lambert outlined key
activities of the Nursing Facilities Transition Grant. The goals are to:
- Create a system for individuals living in nursing facilities who
want to move (or transition) to the community with the supports they
need, and
- Demonstrate the effectiveness of the system by assisting one hundred
and fifty (150) individuals to transition from nursing facilities to
the community.
Among other items, Dawn noted that a) a survey of nursing facilities
was completed, b) an extensive transition guide book was developed, c)
activities related to housing vouchers and a common sense fund are
ongoing, and d) nine people have transitioned to date. For specific
information about the Nursing Facilities Transition Grant, please contact
Dawn Lambert at (860) 656-0430 or dlambert@megahits.com.
Connect-to-Work Project: John Halliday described some of the
ongoing work of the Connect-to-Work Project. The goals of this project
include:
- Establishment of a statewide network of benefits counselors,
available to individuals with disabilities, families, employers,
service providers, and advocacy groups.
- Provision of a single access point for information and assistance
around benefits and services, connecting the key components of
employment, health care, and benefits counseling.
- Provision of training, public education and outreach around benefits
and services offered within the State of Connecticut (with a
particular emphasis on the Medicaid for the Employed Disabled
Program).
- Policy review and policy development to enhance opportunities for
individuals with disabilities to enter the labor force. For specific
information about the Connect-to-Work Project, please contact Amy
Porter at (860) 424-4864 or amy.porter@po.state.ct.us.
Next Steps
The group discussed how we could best maximize these grant opportunities
and avoid duplication of effort. It was suggested that the IDDW actively
support the development of the three model communities. The group
discussed the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. As a
state-level workgroup, we could provide direct assistance to the model
communities and pilot cross agency person centered planning, training, and
development, for example. Diana LaRocco and John Halliday agreed to
coordinate the efforts of the IDDW.
There was clear consensus that we should join with the Real Choice
Systems Change Grant in implementing the model community objective and
other grant activities. It was suggested that we recruit stakeholder
representatives to participate on all of the various Real Choice
Workgroups. Immediate next steps include actively participating on the
Model Community Work Group, giving feedback to Christine on the Model
Community Application, and developing a list of other
"state-local" initiatives that are outside of the regular work
of state agencies.
ToDo
What |
When |
Who |
Provide comments on the Model Community
Application |
To Diana by
January 3, 2002 |
All |
Identify "state-local"
initiatives that are outside of regular agency activities |
To Diana by
January 3, 2002 |
All |
Participate in Model Community Workgroup |
January 6, 2002
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
UCE |
All |
Next Meeting:
January 14, 2002
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
184 Windsor Avenue
Windsor, CT 06095
Telephone: 1-860-602-4000
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