Connecticut Updated Statewide Transition Plan for Alignment with HCBS
“This version of the STP has been updated in response to the second round of CMS comments, received April 2016 and August 2016… In response to CMS comments, it is important to emphasize the following: • Prior to implementation of the HCBS final rule, DSS and DDS began a systemic review of the Connecticut HCBS delivery system. The activities outlined in the STP are an extension of these initial activities. • For all applicable settings, multiple levels of assessment will be implemented prior to making a final decision regarding compliance with the HCB settings requirements.”
“The Council on Developmental Services was established to advise and consult on issues affecting the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and its programs and services for Connecticut residents with intellectual disability and their families. In consultation with the Commissioner of Developmental Services, the Council recommends to the Governor and the Connecticut General Assembly legislation that would enhance and improve the quality of the programs and services provided by the department. The Council, with input from the public, advocates for all persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Connecticut.”
~~“Successful job development is often a complex set of strategies that requires skill and commitment on the part of the individual seeking a job, their support staff and members of their team. Successful job developers use person-centered career planning to get to know their job seekers. They are knowledgeable about community resources and are also adept at recognizing and utilizing personal networks. Customized Employment is a job development process that is a flexible blend of strategies, services and supports designed to increase employment options for job seekers with more complex needs. Customized Employment is the voluntary negotiation of a personalized employment relationship between an individual and an employer that fulfills the business needs of the employer. This approach may include job carving, job creation, job sharing, self-employment and other types of entrepreneurial approaches. Customized employment gives an advantage to the job seeker since that person will drive the employment process and uniquely fit a job position that meets their individual needs and interests.”
Connecticut State Rehabilitation Council Report (2017)
Mission:
“The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) provides assessment, advice and recommendations to the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) and others regarding coordination and effectiveness of programs and strategies which promote community-based competitive employment for persons with disabilities.
GOALS:
To assess the effectiveness and delivery of vocational services provided by BRS to individuals with disabilities
To improve the coordination of vocational services among BRS, state agencies and public and private entities for the benefit of BRS job seekers.
To make recommendations to BRS, the Governor, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and others for developing and improving strategies for the employment of, and vocational services for individuals with disabilities”
Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver Solicitation for Application (SFA)
~~“The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has released the Solicitation for Application (SFA) included below, to invite eligible organizations to apply to become HCBA Waiver ‘“Waiver Agencies.’” Applicants selected to become Contracted Waiver Agencies will receive funding to perform waiver administrative functions within a defined service area and to provide Comprehensive Care Management services to Waiver participants.”
Connecticut Long-Term Care Rebalancing Initiatives
“Issue: Provide a brief overview of Connecticut’s major long-term care rebalancing initiatives, specifically the Connecticut Homecare Program for Elders, Money Follows the Person, and Community First Choice. Also provide information on Connecticut’s long-term care rebalancing ratio (i.e., how much the state spends on Medicaid long-term care in institutions vs. the community) and how Connecticut compares to other states.”
Connecticut Nursing Home Diversion and Transition Program
“The purpose of this program is to ensure that nursing home placements for DMHAS clients (or DMHAS-eligible clients) are necessary, appropriate, and safe. Preadmission Screening Resident Review (PASRR) is an integral part of the program.
The program focuses on two specific goals: (1) Reducing inappropriate admissions of DMHAS clients to nursing homes; and (2) Transitioning nursing home residents with a mental illness back to the community with support services. To accomplish these goals, DMHAS funds Nurse Clinicians, and Case Managers located at agencies identified below, who work directly with community providers, nursing home staff, and hospital discharge planners. There is ongoing collaboration with the state’s Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project and the Medicaid Home and Community-based Waiver for Persons with Serious Mental Illness.”
Connecticut: A Parent’s Guide to Special Education (2021)
“Transitioning from High School to Post-School Activities
At the annual PPT meeting following your child’s fifteenth birthday (or younger, if determined appropriate) you will begin to discuss transition planning from school to adult life. Your child must be invited to this PPT meeting, and all subsequent PPT meetings until he/she either graduates from high school with a regular diploma or until the end of the school year in which he or she turns 21.
At the same PPT, your child’s IEP will be planned and must include:
Appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment and, where appropriate, independent living skills; and
The transition services needed to assist the child in reaching those goals.”
Connecticut HB 5253: Money Follow the Person (2018)
“The Commissioner of Social Services, pursuant to Section 6071 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, shall submit an application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a Money Follows the Person demonstration project. Such project shall [serve not more than five thousand persons and shall] be designed to achieve the objectives set forth in Section 6071(a) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Services available under the demonstration project shall include, but need not be limited to, personal care assistance services. The commissioner may apply for a Medicaid research and demonstration waiver under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act, if such waiver is necessary to implement the demonstration project. The commissioner may, if necessary, modify any existing Medicaid home or community based waiver if such modification is required to implement the demonstration project”.“
Connecticut Acts Affecting People with Disabilities (2018 and 2023)
“This report provides summaries of new laws (public acts and special acts) significantly affecting people with disabilities during the 2023 regular session. OLR’s other Acts Affecting reports, including Acts Affecting Seniors and Acts Affecting Health Professions, are, or will soon be, available on OLR’s website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/olr/actsaffecting.asp.
Each summary indicates the public act (PA) or special act (SA) number. Not all provisions of the act are included. The report does not include vetoed acts unless the veto was overridden. Complete summaries of public acts are, or will soon be, available on OLR’s website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/olr/olrpasums.asp.
Readers are encouraged to obtain the full text of acts that interest them from the Connecticut State Library, House Clerk’s Office, or General Assembly’s website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/.”
