In 2007, Maine received a grant from the Administration on Aging to implement Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors). Under this grant, the original Healthy IDEAS program was modified and implemented for use with caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. The objectives of the modified program were:
To improve the health and wellness of caregivers
To improve access to services
To enhance the knowledge of care coordinators about caring for people with dementia.
The desired outcomes were improved health and mental health status of caregivers; increased rate of referral to services; high participation and completion rates for the evidence-based programs; and greater consumer choice and control.
This report provides an overview of the initial results of the program implementation and evaluation.
The Access to Recreation project goals included an activity to replicate Portland Connections, a model calendar of low-cost events, in three communities in Maine. The project staff met with Portland Connections staff to learn about the history and operation of the calendar. The manual was written as a guide to support the replication of Portland Connections for the grant goals and for future calendars that can be developed after the grant is completed.
An annual publication of Maine's Commission on Disability and Employment and the CHOICES CEO Project. This document is available in alternative formats upon request by calling (207) 228-8031; or email lpohl@usm.maine.edu
This report presents the results of a survey about the work experience of people with disabilities enrolled in MaineCare (Medicaid). The Bureau of Elder and Adult Services (BEAS), Maine Department of Human Services, commissioned the survey to gain a better understanding of certain MaineCare enrollees' reasons for working or not working and to learn more about what services people used to make work possible. The survey also sought information that could be compared to the results of a similar survey in 2001 of a particular group of MaineCare enrollees those enrolled in the MaineCare Option for Workers with Disabilities, or WWD Option. The WWD Option is a MaineCare eligibility category that provides full MaineCare coverage for working people with disabilities who have countable income up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and who do not have unearned income above 100% FPL. The WWD Option was created in 1999 to encourage people with disabilities to increase their job earnings without fear of losing health coverage. This report presents the results from the 2002 survey of MaineCare enrollees with no WWD Option experience, and compares them to results from the similar 2001 survey of people with WWD Option experience. The report also discussed what the 2002 survey results can teach us about how to encourage and support people with disabilities who want to work.
Since 2004, the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative has awarded grants to the Muskie School of Public Service to convene and facilitate the Maine Youth Transition Collaborative (MYTC). This Collaborative engages youth, as well as public and private partners from around the state, to support young people currently or formerly in foster care as they transition to adult life. Statewide partners come together in an advisory capacity; others collaborate with young people on committees and workgroups; and in some communities, the efforts have focused on building local community networks. Through the collaboration and support of its partners, MYTC has learned to broaden and deepen its approach to building community support. This 5-page paper, "Making a Brighter Future for Foster Youth in York County, Maine", sponsored by Maine Network Partners and Common Good Ventures, tells the story of lessons learned from two experiences in community network building. It provides a case example of how a community-based network comprised of youth, as well as public, private, and non profit participants, can drive significant positive change.
An annual publication of Maine's Commission on Disability and Employment and the CHOICES CEO Project. Also available in alternative formats upon request by calling (207) 228-8031 or email lpohl@usm.maine.edu
The Wraparound Maine Initiative relies on community collaborative boards (CCB) to play a major role in developing policies, ensuring that all eligible children/youth are being served, and leveraging local resources. To assess their progress to-date, evaluators from the Muskie School for Public Service at the University of Southern Maine administered an online survey to all known board members in February 2008. Seventy-three board members completed the survey (36%). A high majority had served on their board at least 6 months and up to one year. They reported experiencing many successes and challenges during implementation. The majority offered recommendations for improvement.
This paper walks through different types of HCBS waiver reports and includes steps for thinking through the purpose, content and format, while tailoring report presentation to meet the needs of specific audiences. Wherever possible, state examples are provided and supplemented by sample reports that combine promising features. Seven types of reports are highlighted that guide program management, inform policy development, measure program outcomes and identify areas for quality improvement.
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