Latest and Greatest

Washington State Seeks VR Director

Washington State Department of Social Services has posted the position of Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The Director will provide leadership for implementing the state's VR program and becoming a model employer of people with disabilities. Applications are due by February 26.
View the job posting.

Think Beyond the Label Marketing Campaign Launches Nationally

The national marketing campaign supported by a collaboration of thirty MIG states officially launched this week with online ads in CNNMoney.com, followed by magazine and TV ads in numerous national media outlets. The campaign is featured in the New York Times Business Section Friday, January 29th, 2010. Congratulations to NCHSD members whose contributions, determination and interest in collaborating made the campaign possible. We look forward to MIGs' continued success on this effort!
View the NYTimes article.

CMS Issues State Medicaid Directors Letter on Self-Directed PAS in Section 6087 of Deficit Reduction

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued further guidance for states implementing Optional Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services (Cash and Counseling), created by Section 6087 of the Deficit Reduction Act. The letter explains the “permissible purchases” that participants are allowed to make with their individual budgets. The guidance also applies to “individual directed goods and services” under Section 1915(c) waivers.
Read the SMD Letter.

Congressman Urges GAO Investigation Into Social Security Overpayments

U.S. Rep. John Tanner, Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, has asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate overpayments made by the Social Security Administration to disability beneficiaries who return to work. The Congressman is concerned that beneficiaries' fears of large overpayments discourage them from returning to work and undermine SSA’s own return-to-work policies.
Read Rep. Tanner's press release.

CMS Withdraws Medicaid Rehabilitative Services Proposed Rule

CMS has withdrawn its proposed rule modifying the definition of Medicaid rehabilitative services and establishing new documentation and other requirements. Congress had twice issued a moratorium on the rule, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included a “Sense of Congress” that the Secretary should not promulgate the proposed regulation.

New NCHSD Products

Think Beyond the Label - Sample Press Release

This is a sample press release that MIGs can use to announce their involvement with the Think Beyond the Label national marketing campaign. It can be customized with state-specific information.

2010 NCHSD Membership Description

This describes the services available to members in the National Consortium for Health Systems Development technical assistance partnership for 2010.

2010 NCHSD Technical Assistance Menu

This describes the array of core and customized technical assistance services available to members in National Consortium for Health Systems Development. The menu can be used to identify services in topical areas ranging from employer engagement to Medicaid Buy-In development to implementation drivers.

December 2009 eNews

This month's issue issue features an article on MIGs using the implementation drivers planning approach to achieve better outcomes, and an announcement about the soft launch of the Think Beyond the Label website for the national marketing campaign. The issue also has news and resources on Ticket to Work, supported employment, the 2010 MIG/DMIE Employment Summit and more.

November 2009 eNews

This month's issues highlights two briefs from HDA on health insurance reform issues affecting working people with disabilities and an update on the national marketing campaign. Also featured are transportation summits held by MIGs in West Virginia and Massachusetts, California's Medicaid Buy-In enhancement, and a research study on inter-agency collaboration in five New England states. Resources for businesses, working people with disabilities, providers, researchers and other stakeholders are also provided.

Hot Topics

To make your job as Medicaid Infrastructure Grant staff easier, we've collected valuable technical assistance tools and resources related to specific topics, including PAS, benefits planning, working with business, Medicaid Buy-In programs and more.
Read more

MIG Planning Calendar

Grant Opportunities

Expand your horizon beyond the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant program by learning about other grants related to employment and people with disabilities!
Visit our Grant Opportunities page.