- What is the grant supposed to do?
It is a five year grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide opportunities for 528 people to move out of Iowa’s ICF/MR facilities to independent settings of their own choice. Grant funds provide the transition services and extra supports needed for the first year after they transition into the community.
- Who is eligible for assistance under this grant?
Any individual who has lived in an ICF/MR setting for at least six months. The individual must express an interest in moving out of the ICF/MR—nobody will be forced to move. Legal guardians must also be involved in the planning process and sign the informed consent form.
- When will people be able to start transitions?
Iowa Medicaid Enterprise will submit the “operational protocol” (the rules under which the program will operate) to CMS in November 2007. Once approved, services could begin as early as January 2008. The recommended protocols include the establishment of regional transition specialists, assurances of informed consent, a person-centered planning process with individualized budgets, methods to guarantee choice of housing options, as well as a quality assurance and evaluation plan that tracks how the individual are doing for the entire grant period (which ends in September 2011).
- What type of transition services will CMS reimburse?
Services covered under the grant include supports equivalent to those offered in the HCBS/MR waiver, cost of setting up new living arrangements, one time only expense such as security and utility deposits, and a variety of extra supports to ensure a successful transition. Transition team planning, training for provider staff on meeting the needs of the individual, and time for overnight visits for the individual in the community setting will also be covered.
- What if a service the individual needs is not in the MR waiver?
During the first 365 days after transition, called the demonstration year, CMS will cover the cost of additional services such as behavior programming and consultation or crisis management services. IME will be working with the Iowa Legislature to permanently add services needed to sustain individuals in the community after the demonstration year. Individuals will then be able to access services through traditional Medicaid providers, HCBS service providers or the Consumer Choices Option.
- If someone wants to live in an apartment with one roommate how will their housing costs be covered?
If someone needs help with monthly rent, the transition specialist and local team of providers will work with the Iowa Finance Authority for rental assistance until a permanent housing voucher can be secured. A housing subcommittee has been meeting to develop a plan to help local teams address the issues of locating and securing accessible/affordable housing units.
