Check out the latest issue of the Riot!  This one features an exclusive interview with the new Commissioner of the US Administration on Developmental Disabilities  --  a REAL SCOOP.

HSRI is seeking motivated individuals for the following two positions: 

• Data Analysis Systems Development and Support Analyst
• Project Assistant

For more information and to submit your resume, please visit our Careers page.

HSRI’s Child and Family Services team is excited to post the ProtectOhio Comprehensive Final Evaluation Report, exploring the impact of the Title IV-E Waiver, in 18 participating Ohio counties. Since 1997, these child welfare agencies have used flexible federal funding sources to enhance services and provide family-driven supports, in an effort to reduce their use of foster care. This evaluation report provides an overview of the evaluation of these efforts, with a focus on implementation of programmatic strategies (i.e. family team meetings, supervised visitation, kinship, and mental health and substance abuse services), as well as the impact of Ohio’s Title IV-E Wavier on agency revenue and expenditures, participant outcomes, and case trajectories.

You can Download the report here: http://www.hsri.org/publication/protect-ohio

We are excited to announced the launch of the new Arkansas Youth United website.  It includes an updated look, new and exciting information about AYU and the work they do, and new features to make the site more accessible.  Check out the calendar for upcoming events including monthly peer support meetings for young people and parents.  Sign up to receive AYU's monthly email newsletter and visit often to see what's new.

The new website can be found here:  http://www.ayuonline.org

HSRI, along with our colleagues at the University of Minnesota, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities and the University of Delaware have, for many years, sponsored the Reinventing Quality Conference.  This year’s conference will be held in Baltimore, MD from August 8-10, 2010.  It will feature a range of exciting presentations, and will provide information, new ideas and active discussions about person-centered planning, employment innovations, self-advocacy and more for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Please go to www.reinventingquality.org for more information about the program and to register for the conference.

The Riot! is hosting a three part national conversation on employment for self-advocates. The first call focused on what self-advocates want to be doing during the day. The second call, June 7th, will be a discussion with field experts about employment opportunities for self-advocates, and alternatives to employment. The last call, July 12, will focus on how self-advocates can get the jobs and experience they want. For more information, visit www.theriotrocks.org .

HSRI is excited to unveil our redesigned website.  Along with a fresh look and improved navigation, the new site features expanded information about HSRI, our work, and our commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities.  You can now browse our site by:

• Focus Area
• Topic
• Projects
• Publications
• News/Events

We encourage you to look around and see what has changed. If you have any questions, or would like to provide feedback about the new HSRI.org, please feel free to contact us.

HSRI is seeking motivated individuals for the following two positions:

• Data Analysis Systems Development and Support Analyst
• Project Manager

For more information and to submit your resume, please visit our Careers page.

Our friends at CMS have made two new resources available to connect the work of HCBS waiver case managers to provisions of federal assurances.

Online Training: An approximately 90-minute tutorial intended for case managers and their supervisors on HCBS waiver basics and federal assurances. The training includes a narrative curriculum, case studies with video vignettes, knowledge checks and reflective exercise to apply general knowledge to specific requirements of individual HCS waivers and states.

Resource Guide for Trainers: In addition to access by individuals to the online learning module, the Resource Guide supports states and/or case management provider agencies who wish to conduct in-person training programs. The Guide provides instructions, power point slides, tips and other resources to facilitate in-person training. Train-the-Trainer materials are available through the website listed above.

For more information, please visit: http://www.hcbsassurances.org

This project was conducted with funds made available through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under its Money Follow the Person Technical Assistance grant. The Muskie School of Public Service, under contract with the Ascellon Corporation, directs the project. CMS project contacts: Sarah Fogler, sarah.fogler@cms.hhs.gov or Nancy Kirchner, nancy.kirchner@cms.hhs.gov. Muskie project director: Maureen Booth, maureenb@usm.maine.edu.

I want to weigh in on behalf of all of Judi's friends at the Human Services Research Institute. She has served on our Board of Directors for many years and has enriched our conversations with her wisdom and always independent voice. Judi has been a friend and colleague of many of us for more than 30 years. We remember her spirited advocacy for people with mental illness as founder of the Mental Patients Liberation Front, her establishment of the Ruby Rogers Drop In Center (a consumer run center whose first home was in our building), her increasing work internationally with like minded advocates who benefited from Judi's enthusiasm and knowledge, and most of all her energy, indomitable spirit and the love she gave so freely to her family and wide circle of friends. It is hard to imagine our work without her but she touched so many people during her life who are - because of Judi - prepared to carry on what she started.

Thank you Judi

Val Bradley
President
Human Services Research Institute

HSRI is proud to announce that Valerie Bradley has been awarded the "Robert M. Gettings Compass Award" by the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services (NASDDDS). This award is periodically given to recognize the achievements of an individual who, through creativity and a strong commitment to bettering the lives of people with disabilities, has helped to positively shape the course of disability policy in the United States.

24th National Annual Waiver Conference, Boston October 1, 2008

This report provides detailed state system performance data on individual outcomes, including employment, community participation, choice and decision making; health, welfare and rights covering personal safety, self advocacy and use of medications; family outcomes, addressing information and planning, choice and control and access to support; and other dimensions such as staff stability and competency, and system performance.

Intended to be used in combination with other quality measures such as critical incident reporting, risk assessment and provider monitoring, the NCI indicators are standardized and risk adjusted to permit state to state comparisons and performance benchmarking against national norms. Many states include NCI data as a core component of their CMS mandated waiver program quality management strategy. Currently over thirty state developmental disabilities agencies gather NCI data on a regular basis and the program continues to grow as new states join each year.

“The NCI Blog” is a place where we will share the successes, challenges, and other issues related to the National Core Indicators (NCI). We hope that you the State officials, surveyors/interviewers, self-advocates, family members, and other interested stakeholders will join this discussion by sharing your own NCI experiences. There are no restrictions on content, as long as it’s related to NCI, the language is appropriate (i.e., no cursing), and that absolutely no confidential information is entered. This blog is open to the public.

www.nciblog.org

HSRI has developed a systems change model, along with a set of tools for implementation, that Councils may use to foster systems change work and add value to their existing projects. For more about this model, and for ways that HSRI can assist your Council in using the model across Council efforts, please visit: http://www.hsri.org/project/route-to-success-systems-change/overview

Satisfaction and Sense of Well Being Among Medicaid ICF/MR and HCBS Recipients in Six States
Roger J. Stancliffe, K. Charlie Lakin, Sarah Taub, Giuseppina Chiri, and Soo-yong Byun

Abstract: Self-reported satisfaction and sense of well-being were assessed in a sample of 1,885 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and Intermediate Care Facility (ICF/MR) services in 6 states. Questions dealt with such topics as loneliness, feeling afraid at home and in one's neighborhood, feeling happy, feeling that staff are nice and polite, and liking one's home and work/day program. Loneliness was the most widespread problem, and there were also small percentages of people who reported negative views in other areas. Few differences were evident by HCBS and ICF/MR status. The findings document consistent benefits of residential support provided in very small settings-with choices of where and with whom to live-and to individuals living with family.

http://aaidd.allenpress.com/aamronline/?request=get-current-issue

Using the SIS for Waiver Fiscal Reimbursement

A report submitted to Oregon's office of the Governor, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and the Oregon Department of Corrections assessing the current status of Oregon's publicly funded alcohol and drug treatment systems.

The Gary Smith Memorial Page - with condolences and stories of Gary from family, friends and colleagues - has been updated to include a Tribute Video. http://www.hsri.org/index.asp?id=gary

A Survey of 50 States. The Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities engaged HSRI to conduct a survey of the 50 states to determine current state quality management practices pertaining to provider national accreditation.

A Report to the Legislature And Minnesota Department of Human Services

The Colorado Division for Developmental Disabilities

N/A

Equitably Serving People with Developmental Disabilities on the Comprehensive HCBS Waiver

From the NASDDDS website, http://www.nasddds.org:

NASDDDS is now posting online litigation articles covered in Community Services Reporter (CSR) and other publications.

Litigation articles are organized by type of litigation (Access to Services, Community Placement of Institutionalized Persons, Limitations on Home and Community-Based Services, Institutional Reform/CRIPA, Death Penalty Exemption/Determination of MR/DD to be Exempt, and Miscellaneous) and then by state.

If you know of any new lawsuits concerning developmental disabilities that should be included in NASDDDS publications and this posted update, please send them to Kara LeBeau. (Copies of initial Complaints and other Court documents are especially helpful!) Thank you.

Issue 15 on Friendship and Loneliness
We are proud to present the winter issue of The Riot! In this issue, the theme is Friendship and Loneliness. Take a look! Go to The Riot's home page at www.theriotrocks.org

Check the ICPDD website: http://www.state.il.us/agency/icd

HSRI has compiled a comprehensive seven-year "Blueprint" for the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities to redesign the state's developmental disabilities service system. HSRI's Gap Analysis reveals that the state is ill positioned to address the needs of its citizens with developmental disabilities. The Blueprint describes 16 Action Steps for needed system re-design. Three primary products are available:

Gap Analysis: Services and Supports for People with Developmental Disabilities in Illinois. LINK TO PDF FILE The Gap Analysis compares the performance of Illinois services against seven "performance benchmarks." It also compares Illinois' performance with other states.
Blueprint for System Redesign in Illinois. LINK TO PDF FILE The Blueprint describes 16 Action Steps that will help lead to change. These steps place specific focus on the importance of investing in individuals, families and communities.
Blueprint Executive Summary. LINK TO PDF FILE

This short report describes the evolution of the National Core Indicators over the past 10 years, the accomplishments of the initiative, and challenges and opportunities going forward

A Scholarship fund in the name of Gary Smith was created to support young leaders wishing to pursue similar work. Donations will go to students enrolled in a program that trains young leaders in the field.

If you wish to send a donation, make checks payable to:

Gary Smith Scholarship for Public Managers, Univ. of DE/ NLCDD

The checks should be sent to:

c/o Steven M. Eidelman
Robert Edelsohn Chair
Professor, College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy
University of Delaware
312 Alison Hall West
Newark, DE 19716

Volume 1, Issue 4
We are proud to present The Indicator, the first newsletter for the National Core Indicators (NCI) Program.

Presented by Valerie Bradley

This periodic report provides up-to-date information about lawsuits concerning Medicaid community services for people with developmental and other disabilities. A revised report is issued every 4-6 weeks.

Presented by John Agosta

This guide for individuals with disabilities helps people who live in their own homes to prevent emergencies from occurring and to plan in case an emergency does occur. Prepared by HSRI for the State of Oregon, Services to People with Disabilities, the guide addresses six risk areas medications, medical conditions, abuse & neglect, back-up caregiving, home safety and natural disasters and includes an emergency information sheet and other quick-reference lists.

The Riot! is produced by the Self-Advocate Leadership Network at the Human Services Research Institute. We work together with self-advocates to get ideas and write stories. Visit The Riot! webpage here: www.hsri.org/leaders/theriot

Presented by Sarah Taub at the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Annual Conference on October 9, 2006.

Volume 1, Issue 3
We are proud to launch The Indicator, the first newsletter for the National Core Indicators (NCI) Program.

Volume 1, Issue 1
We are proud to launch The Indicator, the first newsletter for the National Core Indicators (NCI) Program.

The Disability Relief Fund is now up and running and able to receive tax exempt donations. The Fund is a collaborative effort between the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge and the Louisana Supported Living Network. We will be distributing $600 stipends to displaced people with developmental disabilities and dsp's to support their relocation and meet current expenses. The displaced people we know need cash NOW and governmental organizations are not making cash available. More Info can be found on our News/Presentations page.

Please contact national and local organizations as well as individuals who may wish to make donations.

Please make donations payable to the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge and note the Disability Relief Fund on the Memo section of your check.

Send to:
The Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge
8470 Goodwood Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Presented by Valerie Bradley on May 26th, 2005

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Juntos Podemos website - http://hsri.org/juntospodemos/

The Oregonian
"Juntos Podemos is the first such family support group in Oregon that focuses on the developmentally delayed."
Full article can be read here

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new HSRI Quality Community website - www.hsri.org/quality

The Moving Mountains award is a prestigious national award presented by the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals and the Research and Training Center on Community Living at The University of Minnesota for excellence in Direct Support Professional Empowerment. Click on the files below to learn more about the award winning PATHS Project.

Everyday Kids, Everyday Lives defines a vision for family and community life. Parents, professionals and policymakers can use Everyday Kids as framework to understand what kids and their families want, need and deserve when advocating for positive changes in the lives of children, their families and their communities.

2003, Human Services Research Institute and Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Permission to reprint, copy and distribute this work is granted provided that it is reproduced as a whole, distributed at no more than the actual cost, and displays this copyright notice. Any other reproduction is strictly prohibited.

American Association on Mental Retardation. Presented by Val Bradley and Sarah Taub on June 2, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Presented by Valerie Bradley on January 31st, 2004

Presented by Valerie Bradley

Presented by Valerie Bradley

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Child and Family Services website - http://www.hsri.org/childfamilyservices

Summary of Findings from the 5-year study, September 2003

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new National Core Indicators (NCI) website - http://www.hsri.org/nci

We are pleased to announce the launch of the new National Core Indicators (NCI) website

• An Evaluation of the Colorado Systems Change Project

• Gauging How Well Colorado Supports Its Citizens with Developmental Disabilities

• NCI: A Growing Commitment - Five Years of Performance Measurement, (presented by Valerie J Bradley)

• Medicaid & Supporting People with Developmental Disabilities - Trends, Challenges and Opportunities, (presented by Gary Smith)

• HCBS Waiver Program - More dialing for dollars, (presented by Gary Smith)

Working Toward a Sustainable Future in Support of People with Developmental Disabilities

A Framework for Best Practice, presented by Valerie J Bradley

Including - Wisconsin, Wyoming, Kansas, Connecticut and a Summary

Presented by Marianne Taylor

Presented by Marianne Taylor

Edited by Valerie J. Bradley, M.A., & Madeleine Kimmich, D.S.W.

As person-centered services and supports become more prevalent, people with disabilities are enjoying more choices and opportunities - making it challenging to ensure the quality of every service offered. This timely book helps meet that challenge. Diverse contributors, including researchers, care providers, policy-makers, self-advocates, and family members, combine their expertise to help readers

• understand the changed expectations of people with disabilities and their families and the resulting challenges to quality enhancement
• clarify the roles of Medicaid and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• address health and safety issues, including investigation of abuse, neglect, and death
• design databases that track outcomes and target areas for service improvement
• translate quality information into reliable quality enhancement approaches
• manage staffing challenges like recruitment, retention, and professional development
• consider future recommendations and policy directions

Building on Bradley & Bersanis Quality Assurance for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, this important resource clarifies the shift toward self-determination and individually tailored supports - and shows professionals in the human services field how to enhance service quality in this rapidly changing world.

Order Here - Brookes Publishing Co., Inc., PO BOX 10624, Baltimore, Maryland 21285-0624

This presentation was given in September 2002 by Madeleine Kimmich at the Public Children's Services Association of Ohio annual conference

June Rowe presents on 5 State's licensing processes

Core Paper 1: Sample Survey Component

Core Paper 2: Claims and Encounter Component

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has contracted with Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) through the MEDSTAT Group to provide technical assistance aimed at enhancing quality assurance and improvement efforts to states on behalf of people with developmental disabilities in home and community-based waiver services.

Presented by Valerie Bradley at AAMR

Presented by Marianne Taylor at the Innovation Out of Crisis held in Boston on April 25, 2002

Presentation given by Valerie J Bradley