Government Technology

States Get Federal Grants to Help People with Disabilities Live in the Community


September 18, 2006 By

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt today awarded nearly $20 million in grants to states to develop programs for people with disabilities or long term illnesses. The "Real Choice Systems Change Grants for Community Living" will help states and territories help people with chronic illness or disabilities to reside in their homes and participate fully in community life.

"These grants will help states take full advantage of the opportunities to reform their Medicaid long-term care systems offered by the recently passed Deficit Reduction Act of 2006 and remove barriers to equality for the 54 million Americans living with disabilities," Secretary Leavitt said. "They will help persons with disabilities exercise meaningful choices about how and where to live their lives."

The eight states receiving 2006 awards are; California, Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Kansas. For this round of grant awards, CMS will require states receiving grant money to address at least three of the six goals necessary to transform Medicaid program incentives away from institutional care with options for care at home and in the community.

The goals include:
  • Improving access to information regarding the full range of community-based services available
  • Promulgation of more self-directed service delivery systems
  • Implementation of comprehensive quality management system
  • Development of information technology to support community living
  • Flexible financing arrangements that promote community living options
  • Long-term supports coordinated with affordable and accessible housing


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