Priorities — Community Integration

Fiscal Year 2008 through 2010 (October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2010)

SUBJECT AREA 1
Access to Community Support and Services

Our vision is that all individuals with disabilities live in the community with the supports and services they need.

  1. Individuals with disabilities living in institutions, at risk of institutionalization, or individuals living in the community receiving or attempting to access community-based services and supports have the information and assistance they need to return to or remain in the community with timely, well planned, and effectively administered Medicaid and non-Medicaid supports and services.
  2. Individuals with disabilities are able to develop the skills necessary to effectively advocate for their own community services and supports and make decisions about their own lives.
  3. Residents of institutions who are deaf, hard of hearing, unable to speak or have other significant communication needs are provided effective communication and can transition to the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs and consistent with their preferences.
  4. The state’s financing and service system for long-term supports and services no longer relies on long-term care institutions. Large Intermediate Care Facilities for persons with Mental Retardation (ICF-MR), including State Schools, are closed and funding currently used to provide services to individuals in the institution are used to appropriately support those individuals in the community. Remaining funds, if any, from potential earnings and savings are used to fund additional communitybased services.
  5. Community providers increase their availability and expertise to afford meaningful choice to persons with disabilities.