Putting
power in
their hands: Program
gives those with
disabilities choices
In 1981, the Federal
Government's Mental Retardation and Related Conditions (MR/RC) waiver was
signed into law by President Reagan. This law, part of the Social Security
Act, created the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver
program, which provides funding to people with developmental disabilities.
People who are served by LSS and other agencies use this money to pay for
services.
In 1997, Minnesota received
approval to offer a program called Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS)
as a part of the MR/RC waiver. CDCS is a program that gives families
greater involvement and more choices in planning and identifying support
needs, including directly hiring and managing the staff who deliver
services. Funds may be used for a broad array of services, such as
personal care, chore services or other kinds of programs that allow
individuals to live an active and safe life in their communities in ways
that are best for them.
LSS, in conjunction with five
other Minnesota non-profit agencies (Dakota Communities, Inc., Hammer
Residence, Inc., Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, Fraser, and Opportunity
Partners, Inc.) formed Partners in Community Support (PICS) in 1999 as an
independent nonprofit to facilitate CDCS for those they serve.
PICS helps consumers and their
guardians accomplish burdensome administrative processes without
eliminating their control over the supports they purchase, the staff they
employ and the cost of those services.
Most commonly, staff working
with the consumers are chosen by the consumers or their guardians, with
PICS acting as the official employer. PICS performs background checks,
processes payroll, provides workers' compensation and other employment
insurance, bills and collects Medical Assistance, and provides training on
employee/employer relations. In Minnesota, county case managers continue
to have a role in approving care plans for those enrolled in CDCS.
Maren Anderson, a person
supported by PICS, has Down syndrome and sensory integration dysfunction.
She has been on a CDCS plan waiver since January 2001. Through CDCS, her
family now has the resources, time and energy to investigate and pursue
therapies, and purchase services and equipment that help Maren become the
best she can be. CDCS has also allowed them to retain long-term staff, and
enroll Maren in activities that help her develop her abilities and have
fun. PICS handles the financial and administrative tasks that are required
so her family can concentrate on Maren.
"When Maren is 21, we'd like
her to be happy, have high self-esteem, friends, basic job skills,
independent living skills and several hobbies," said her mother Julie.
"With this vision in mind, we have created Maren's plans through CDCS,
which focus on a critical need for Maren - developing social skills,
particularly with peers. We have been very satisfied with CDCS, but as new
changes are made to the program, we are anxious to see if CDCS continues
to be right for Maren."
CDCS is now undergoing
numerous changes, including the types of services that can be accessed and
the funding that is provided. The most important positive change will be
the program's ability to support not only those with developmental
disabilities, but seniors, those with traumatic brain injuries, mental
illness, and people with physical disabilities. The hope is that the
program, with its new changes, will help those populations experience the
same type of freedom and control that Maren and others with developmental
disabilities have experienced up until this point. Those currently
enrolled are waiting to see how these changes affect their lives.
