LTC - Employment/Workplace Initiatives for People with Disabilities

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Employment/Workplace Initiatives for People with Disabilities

Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Project

Overview

Section 203 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) of 1999 directs the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to establish the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant program. The program provides grants to states to develop infrastructures to support the competitive employment of people with disabilities. Funding for this program is intended to facilitate enhancements to state Medicaid programs and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies, and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports for people with disabilities. Congress authorized the program for 11 years beginning in fiscal year 2001. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ( CMS) is the designated DHHS agency with administrative responsibility for the Medicaid Infrastructure program.

Michigan 's Medicaid Infrastructure Grant ( MIG ) Project

In June 2005, CMS awarded the Michigan Department of Community Health, Office of Long-Term Care Supports and Services grant funds to increase competitive employment outcomes for people with disabilities. The grant period is January 1 to December 31, with subsequent annual continuation request available through December 2010. No State or local matching funds are required.

The goal of the program is to adopt and improve supports and services for the competitive employment of people with disabilities. Key efforts and current initiatives include:

Developing collaborative partnerships between individuals with disabilities, statewide advocacy organizations, the Michigan Rehabilitation Services, the Michigan Department of Human Services, the Social Security Administration and the Michigan Business Leadership Network.
Researching, evaluating, developing, and implementing strategies and policies to remove barriers to competitive employment.
Protecting and enhancing workers healthcare, other benefits, and employment
Increasing the number of Freedom to Work (FTW) enrollees by more than 25%.
Facilitating the coordination of an active Project Search initiative in Michigan that provides employment and education opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities.
Collaborating with the Michigan Business Leadership Network to increase employer benefits for employing a diverse workforce.
Increasing the capacity and sustainability of statewide sources of accurate and trusted benefits planning information by collaborating with the SSA sponsored Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects and developing a Michigan specific "disability benefits planning 101.org" website based on a similar web site used in the State of California.

Progress

To date, some of the major ongoing activities and accomplishments include:

Personal Care Services

CMS approval of the Medicaid State Plan Amendment allowing the use of personal care services in the workplace. The Michigan Medicaid policy effective date is December 1, 2007.

MI Choice Waiver Program

CMS approval of the most recent amendment contains a provision that permits a waiver participant concurrent enrollment in the Michigan Freedom to Work (FTW) Medicaid eligibility category.

Freedom to Work Medicaid "Buy-In"

Number of individuals enrolled in the program increased from 268 in July 2005 to 1,062 individuals in October 2007.

For more information, contact the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant project coordinator:

Joe Longcor
Office of Long-Term Care Supports and Services
Michigan Department of Community Health
Telephone: (517) 241-1730
E-mail: LongcorJ@michigan.gov