The Munroe-Meyer Guild is providing funding for the "Resources, Education and Disability Information" Project; or "R.E.D.I." This project provides free, informational webinars for individuals with disabilities, their families and professionals. The webinars can be viewed from any computer or notebook which has an Internet connection and speakers. Each webinar will last approximately one hour and will be delivered in "real time," with time reserved for questions and answers. They also will be archived on the Munroe-Meyer Institute here.

                          For more information, or to register, click here.                                 

The state of Nebraska recently released their transition plan for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) new rule defining home and community based settings. Any setting or procedure that does not fit within the new definition will have to be identified and the state will have 5 years to come into compliance. The state is required to obtain public comments and incorporate the public comments into the state plan.

The new rule requires that:

• An individual's primary residence cannot be on the property of/or adjacent to an institution; this includes a hospital, nursing facility, public institution or intermediate care facility for intellectual/developmental disabilities. But most importantly, settings that isolate individuals from the broader community of individuals not eligible for Home and Community Based Services funding will not be allowed under this new rule.

• Person Centered Planning must be used, enabling the individual receiving services to describe his/her needs, along with family, friends, and other team members to make certain that the individual receives the services they need, in a way they prefer.

• Individual's receiving services should have privacy, choice of roommates, and choice in how they decorate their home, control over who enters and has a key to the entrance, if included in the person centered plan.

• In situations where the individual is living in a home or apartment owned by a provider, there needs to be a lease, residency agreement or another written agreement that approximates or is consistent with landlord tenant law.

• Processes must be in place to ensure an individual's right of privacy, dignity, respect and freedom from coercion and restraint. (Source: HCBS Coalition of NE, 2014)

For more information or to make public comment, attend the following:

 Additional Resources are available by clicking the links below:

Nebraska's State Transition Plan

White Paper by the HCBS Coalition of NE

CMS' rule

June 20th marked the 15th Anniversary of Olmstead v. L.C. This landmark Supreme Court case said that states must ensure that individuals in need of long-term services and supports have choices and are not forced into institutional and congregate care settings. In 2009, President Obama declared it the year of "Community Living" and the U.S. Office of Civil Rights launched intensive efforts to work with states, advocates, and others to ensure that the Olmstead decision was being upheld. Since the launch of this effort, numerous cases have been heard, and states are being asked to ensure that services are provided in the least restrictive of settings. The federal government has implemented many changes to ensure that home and community based services are being provided, including the newly formed federal "Administration for Community Living."  Learn more about these efforts by checking out the White House blog. 

The pictures and stories featured below detail some of the individuals who have been impacted and supported by the Olmstead decision. Learn more about their stories by clicking here.    

 (Source: US Dept. of Justice Division of Civil Rights, 2014)

Stephon is an 18-year old teen with intellectual, visual, orthopedic and physical disabilities. He also has graduated from high school, attended his prom and participates in Special Olympics. With the Medicaid home and community based waiver, Stephon has been able to live with his family and receive all his needed services in his home and community.

Michelle was 47 years old when she was in a car accident and learned she would need round-the-clock assistance. Initially, she was told that the only way she could receive this support was in a nursing home. However, with funding from her state's  Medicaid home and community based waiver, she is able to live in her home and have the supports she needs to live independently.

Steven may have an intellectual disability, but that did not stop him from wanting to work. He went from earning $2/hour for the last 30 years in a segregated, non-competitive workshop to making minimum wage.  Now he gets to have a choice in where he works and even works with individuals that might not have a disability.

The Nebraska Division of Developmental Disabilities and Omni Behavioral Health are currently providing a series of free workshops featuring nationally recognized behaviorist, Tom Pomeranz.  The target audience includes families that have children with developmental disabilities across the lifespan, educators, clinicians and anyone wanting additional information about best practices in building positive behavioral supports.  Check out this link for the full series of trainings which will be offered across the state in the next few months.