How are seniors and people with disabilities involved?
If you are an individual with a disability or a senior, and you currently live in (or have transitioned from) a nursing home, ICF/MR, or long-stay hospital, you are an expert in the services and supports that you need to live successfully in the community. Your involvement and, where applicable your family’s or caregiver’s involvement, in every aspect of the project is critically important.
The following individuals with disabilities and seniors participate on each of the groups described in How are Stakeholders Involved?
Transformation Leadership Team: Individuals currently residing in nursing homes; two individuals who recently transitioned from a nursing home; other individuals with disabilities currently living in the community; seniors currently residing in the community; family members of individuals residing in ICFs/MR and nursing homes. To foster maximum participation, travel expenses for self-advocates are reimbursed, and teleconferencing is made available as needed for individuals who cannot or prefer not to travel.
Community Integration Advisory Commission: an individual who resides in a nursing home; an individual who resides in a state-operated ICF/MR; an individual who resides in a state mental health facility; individuals with disabilities currently living in the community; and family members of individuals with disabilities residing in or at risk of placement in ICFs/MR and nursing homes.
State Work Group: individuals currently residing in nursing homes; individuals with disabilities currently living in the community; seniors currently residing in the community; and family members of individuals residing in or at risk of placement in ICFs/MR and nursing homes. To foster maximum participation, travel expenses for self-advocates are reimbursed.
Regional Empowerment Teams: These Teams are currently being developed and will include individuals currently residing in nursing homes; individuals with disabilities currently living in the community; seniors currently residing in the community; and family members of individuals residing in ICFs/MR and nursing homes. To foster maximum participation, travel expenses for self-advocates will be reimbursed, and videoconferencing will be made available as needed for individuals who cannot or prefer not to travel.
Housing Task Force: individuals who have transitioned to the community from nursing homes; an individual who currently resides in a state mental health facility; individuals with disabilities who currently live in the community; and seniors who currently reside in the community.
Housing Task Force Work Group: individuals with disabilities currently living in the community and amily members of individuals with disabilities residing in the community.
In addition to ongoing input into all planning and oversight activities, people with disabilities and seniors are involved throughout the life of the project in many ways.
- If you currently live in a nursing home, ICF/MR or long-stay hospital and you are thinking about or planning to transition, you (and where applicable, your family members and caregivers) will:
- Receive education and training about person-centered practices;
- Be fully informed about all available community options;
- Participate to the maximum extent possible in planning and executing every aspect of your transition to the community;
- Be invited to participate in Regional Empowerment Team meetings; and
- Participate in satisfaction surveys that will be reported to the Leadership Team, the Commission, members of the Virginia General Assembly, and other state decision makers.
- If you have already transitioned or wish to assist other people to transition, you can serve as a mentor to those planning to transition, and you will receive training on how to discuss informed choices with individuals participating in the MFP Project.
- If you are interested, you will have ample opportunity to:
- Give input into development of outcome and evaluation measures for the project;
- Assist in developing and disseminating marketing materials for the project;
- Assist with Regional Empowerment Teams in annual surveys; and
- Receive education and training about how you can effectively participate in housing planning at the local, regional and state levels.
