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[Template for a plan for a
systematic self-evaluation process
pursuant to Executive Order 27, in conjunction with the
Olmstead Real Choices Consumer Task Force]
A Self-Assessment of [State
Agency] Effectiveness in Promoting
Community Living for Persons with Disabilities
Iowa Department of [NAME]
Director – [NAME]
Olmstead Designee – [NAME]
Address
Phone
Email
I. Introduction
A. [State agency] organization—a brief
description of organizational structure; can include organizational
chart.
B. Overview of [Department/Division] programs
1. State level—a brief explanation of programs
administered at the state level
2. Community level—a brief explanation of
programs and activities accomplished at the local level through
[Department/Division} staff or subcontracts.
C. How [Department] services relate to the
Olmstead Decision and community living for people with disabilities1.
1. State level
2. Community level
D. Description of existing [Department] services,
programs or activities that already promote and support community living
1. State level
2. Community level
II. Self-Assessment Methodology and Barrier
Identification
In Olmstead v. L.C., the Supreme Court confirmed that no one should have
to live in an institution or nursing home if they can live in the
community with the right supports. As Iowa state agencies analyze their
policies, programs, statutes and regulations for compliance with
Olmstead, their frame of reference should be whether their public
policies enable Iowans with disabilities to live in the most integrated
setting appropriate to their needs. While the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services has identified certain settings as examples of
institutions (e.g. state resource centers, ICF/MRs, nursing facilities,
psychiatric hospitals, residential service facilities for children), the
criteria for judging compliance with Olmstead’s mandate that individuals
have the right to “community living” is whether an agency’s policies
enable individuals to live close to their family and friends, live more
independently, engage in productive employment, and participate in
community life. See
CMS Letters to State Medicaid Directors.
A. Identification and review by each
Department/division of Olmstead-related policies, programs, statutes and
regulations. Do these assume the agency’s services will be provided in
the integrated setting most appropriate to meeting an individual’s needs
or do they require a person to be served in an institutional setting in
order to receive services? Which, if any, either promote or limit
individuals with disabilities living in the most integrated community
settings?
B. Plan should include evaluation strategies at
the department and division levels, and timelines to accomplish each
activity. It may feature such strategies as:
1. Review of the Iowa Plan for Community
Development (especially the Appendix which includes the
recommendations based on public input at the 20 statewide meetings
in 2001). http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/mhdd/MHDDReports.htm and click
on Item 2 (including Appendix)
2. Review federal department plans and reports
relating to their response to President Bush’s Executive Order 13217
http://www.hhs.gov/newfreedom/final/
3. Review other state’s plans and reports
relating to their response to the Olmstead Decision.
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/forum/olmsreport.htm
4. Interact with corresponding agencies in other
states regarding approaches to optimize compliance with Olmstead.
5. Collection of public input from:
a) Existing advisory boards of [State agency]
programs
b) Iowa disability related organizations
c) Topic or agency specific “summits” or some
other type of event that takes in comments and/or identifies
barriers and solutions.
III. Strategic Action Plan Development
Process
A. Describe a process for reviewing and analyzing
identified barriers, and any proposed solutions, that emerged from the
Self-Assessment that will be used to develop the action plan described
in the Section V.
- Who will be involved in the process? This might
include consumers, representatives of other entities, key partners,
the Iowa Olmstead Real Choices Consumer Task Force/staff, and/or
departmental staff.
B. Specify timelines for plan development process.
IV. Results Of Self-Assessment and Barrier
Identification
A. Summarize identified barriers by type:
- Information deficits
- Training deficits
- Service capacity
- Public policy
- Funding
B. General description of strategies required to
address barriers
V. Action Planning
A. For each specific barrier, include:
- Objective – What is the intended outcome?
- Lead division within Department
- Key partners
- Action steps – what will be done, by whom, by
when? (Include both short term and long term actions)
- First steps
B. In compliance with the Executive Order, note
how federal funding opportunities will be identified and how
departmental resources will be used efficiently and effectively to
support the goals of the ADA.
VI. Interagency Collaboration
A. Describe what specific barriers will require
inter-agency problem solving and cooperation to reach a successful
outcome.
B. Make recommendations for how to proceed and
include strategies for improving communication across agencies.
VII. Monitoring Progress
A. Describe how you will monitor the progress of
implementing the action plan and its outcomes, and make any necessary
adjustments to the activities. Include specific timelines.
B. Describe how you will implement on-going
continuous self-assessment relating to identifying new or remaining
barriers to community living.
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