Medicaid HCBS (Home & Community-Based Services) Waitlist Assessment and Person-Centered Support for People with I/DD (WAPS-I/DD) - Applying an inclusive research and co-development approach throughout this five year project, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) offers the field new knowledge about effective healthcare policies to improve health and community living outcomes of people with I/DD. Project partners include NASDDDS, ICI, and Green Mountain Self Advocates, and an Advisory Board with both community and state perspectives. The goal of this project is to propose a sustainable multipronged approach to address Medicaid home and community-based services waitlists and improve community living and participation of people with I/DD. The objectives of this project are to (1) examine effects of Medicaid policies on HCBS waitlists, HCBS use, health outcomes, and community living and participation among people with I/DD; (2) to develop and test a person-centered needs assessment tool (PC-NAT) that helps individuals with I/DD on waitlists and their families better articulate their HCBS needs and informs state policies on waitlist management and improving HCBS for people with I/DD; and (3) create resources to support people with I/DD and their families in navigating HCBS waitlists. The chief expected products are (1) policy briefs describing effective HCBS delivery, payment and workforce policies that improve HCBS for people with I/DD; and (2) online toolkit to people with I/DD and their families navigate HCBS waitlists and identify non-Medicaid, community-based supports while waiting for HCBS waiver services. Longterm outcomes include improved services to and quality of life (QOL) for people with I/DD; increased meaningful community living and participation of people with I/DD; and state HCBS policies and practices aligned with needs of people with I/DD.
