Real Choice Systems Change Grant - Options for Community Living

2003

As South Carolina’s Real Choice System Change grant, Options for Community Living has two primary objectives: (1) to develop a web based information and referral system to enable persons with disabilities and their families to access information about services available to them (SC Access); and (2) to develop an infrastructure to support and encourage consumer choice and control in the services they receive (SC Choice). Both of these needs were identified during the Olmstead planning process and are included as key recommendations in South Carolina’s Olmstead Plan. The grant is a project of the SC Department of Health and Human Services and they have contracted with the SC UCEDD for a faculty member to manage the project. As part of this project, the SC UCEDD transferred one of it ongoing programs to SC DHHS. The SC UCEDD developed and has operated the South Carolina Services Information System. This program provides the foundation for SC Access in terms of system design and the database of providers. SC Choice is developing a new Home and Community-based Medicaid Waiver to enable adults with disabilities and the elderly to exercise self-direction and consumer choice in the service they receive through Medicaid. The new waiver is based on the cash and counseling models in which a specific amount of money is set aside for the consumer’s use during a period of time. The consumer is able to select his/her own providers, negotiate rates of pay, set the schedule for when services are provided, define the tasks to be provided and terminate the provider, when necessary. The providers will be paid through a financial management service who will support the consumer in fiscal management of their budget. A great amount of flexibility is being built into this system to enable consumers to meet their individual needs. The waiver was approved by CMS in March 2003 and is the first Elderly/Disabled waiver approved under the CMS Independence Plus Template. Systems Change: While South Carolina had some consumer direction in four of its five Medicaid waivers, that has been limited to only one service, attendant care services. SC Choice will develop the infrastructure to support consumer direction in the full array of services available. This project will pilot the new waiver in two areas of the state, beginning in July 2003, with plans to implement statewide by the end of the project (September 2004).

consumer directed care, medicaid waiver, information and referral, I&R

Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote

Mulit-County, State

N/A