Federal Grant to Help N.C. Medicaid Provide Independence for many in Institutions
RALEIGH — North Carolina Medicaid has been awarded a federal grant to keep elderly and disabled patients at home and out of institutions.
The $16.9 million award will provide home- and community-based services for more than 550 North Carolinians over five years. The grants, awarded to several states, are part of a federal push to provide viable alternatives to nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals and developmental disability centers.
click here for rest of press release.
Money Follows the Person Demonstration Awards - Statement from NC Division of Medical Assistance
On January 11, 2007, CMS announced the states included in the first tier of the "Money Follows the Person" Demonstration awards. North Carolina was not among those states. There will be a second tier of states that will receive the awards after submitting revised applications or additional information. To view the announcement from CMS please click here.
There are 2 documents that are needed (complete and submit to CMS) to be reconsidered for MFP Demonstration funds:
MFP Request for Addition Info
MFP Budget Form.
North Carolina Disability Action Network Focuses on Civic Participation
According to the U.S. Census, there are more than 1.8 million people with disabilities in North Carolina. However, North Carolina has never had a statewide organization made up by and for people with all kinds of disabilities whose primary purpose is to involve people with disabilities in the leadership of their communities.
. . . Until now!
NC DAN will serve as that network. Most importantly, it will be YOUR network and it will be made up entirely of local people concerned about disability issues. It will be a way for people with disabilities and many different grassroots disability organizations to come together to learn about and work to involve the disability community in the life of our larger community. NC DAN will address issues such as voting participation, grassroots organizing techniques, information sharing and public education. NC DAN will also be a "one-stop shop" for local organizations to learn about each other and the fine work other community-based disability groups are doing.
In order to meet the needs of people with disabilities, NC DAN has hosted public forums in local communities across North Carolina. More that 700 people have attended 13 public forums throughout the state! This easily makes NC DAN public forums the largest series of meetings ever in North Carolina's disability communities.
NC DAN will be completing this year's forums by August. In early fall, NC DAN will publish "Declarations of Independence: The State of North Carolinians with Disabilities," a study based on the findings gathered at the public hearings. This study will help the organization determine the issues it will address in the coming year.
NC DAN will also work closely with local disability groups to offer training and technical assistance that will assist people with disabilities in becoming more involved in civic affairs. Training needs will be determined largely by the recommendations coming from the community forums. Potential topics may include working with media, developing a grassroots campaign and community outreach techniques.
We invite you to become involved in one of the most exciting organizations ever created by and for people with disabilities- The North Carolina Disability Action Network (NC DAN).
Sign-up for our contact list so we can keep you informed of the latest NC DAN activities and events. (add link to sign-up page)
If you would like to help NC DAN host a disability issues forum in your community contact us by email at: NCAction@ncdan.com
The NC Disability Action Network is a project of the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities. To learn more about the Council visit their web site at www.nccdd.org.
Medicare Part D-Prescription Drug Coverage for People with Disabilities
The Issue
Prescription Drug Coverage will soon be available for people with disabilities that have Medicare under the new Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit. Medicare Part D is a nation-wide program introduced in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.
If you have any form of Medicare, you need to pay attention and make some decisions. If you have no prescription drug coverage and high drug costs, it may be very helpful. People who are on both Medicaid and Medicare must participate.
full story here
