Narrative: Enhancing Maryland's No Wrong Door Systems for Efficient Access to LTSS - Through the Enhancing Maryland's No Wrong Door Systems for Efficient Access to LTSS Project, the Maryland Department of Aging will transform and streamline state level infrastructure to meet existing and future long term care needs of older Marylanders, Marylanders with disabilities, and their care partners through the Maryland Access Point (MAP) No Wrong Door (NWD) system. In alignment with the key NWD elements, the project will achieve the following objectives: 1. Establish an expanded MAP Governance Committee, dedicated to enhancing MAP functions, in alignment with the Longevity Ready Maryland multisector plan on aging; 2. Modernize MAP through web-based tools that improve communications and efficiency; and 3. Improve MAP collaboration to address health and social care through sustained post-acute community care transition supports. Outcomes include increased participation in the NWD Governance infrastructure, increased and improved referrals between MAP partners, improved MAP staff confidence in utilizing available tools; enhanced consumer satisfaction; and new referrals between MAP and hospital partners. Products developed from the project ensure sustainability and include: a MAP Governance Committee framework and charter, a new web-based referral platform, an artificial intelligence-powered chat assistance tool embedded on the MAP website, and a sustainability plan for hospital transition care transition services. The project will address key challenges such as the coordination of diverse stakeholders, capacity constraints, and ensuring sustainability in funding, all while focusing on continuous quality improvement and leveraging technological advancements for better service delivery. Through this comprehensive approach, Maryland will enhance the quality and accessibility of long-term care services and supports for its aging population, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers, fostering a more integrated, effective, and efficient system of care statewide.
