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February 14, 2012
Advocates in NH File Lawsuit Against Mental Health Care System
Advocates in New Hampshire from the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the Disabilities Rights Center, the Center for Public Representation and Devine, Millimet & Branch, PA, filed a class-action complaint last week on behalf of New Hampshire residents with serious mental illnesses who are or are at risk of being institutionalized in state-run facilities due to the state's failure to provide community-based mental health services.
Over the last twenty years, New Hampshire has funded institutions over providing the community-based services and supports people with mental disabilities need.
"The vast majority of people with serious mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities can lead fulfilling lives in their communities, provided they have the community services and supports they need to succeed," said Ira Burnim, legal director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. "Living independently, maintaining meaningful relationships and having gainful employment should be the goal for people with mental disabilities."
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Join Us March 2nd for the Next Facebook First Friday!
Join the Consumer Voice for the next Facebook First Friday on March 2nd for a lively and interactive discussion. The March topic is Long-Term Care Workers – Staffing shortages, consistent assignment, supervision, turnover, wages/overtime, training, consumer-direction, etc.
From 9am – 3pm ET, we will chat on our Facebook wall about issues that matter to you (and us!) the most. First question posted at 9am... You just pop on and respond as much or as little as you would like (respond throughout the day or just come by one time for 5 minutes and answer a question!).
This is completely FREE and open to anyone in the public who would like to participate.
What do I have to do?
Just go to our Facebook page ahead of time or on Facebook First Friday and press the “like” button in the upper right of your browser (near our organization's name). If you already have a Facebook account, you can get started right away, otherwise it will prompt you to create one.
You’ll see our questions right there on the main page. Jump in and participate!
What’s in it for me?
Great dialogue with your fellow advocates….and an incentive. Each Facebook First Friday, we’ll pick a winner based on our favorite comment of the day and will reveal the winner and prize on our page. Prizes will vary, but could include: electronics, free memberships, gift certificates, Consumer Voice publications, t-shirts and more!
Have an idea for a question we should ask on Facebook Friday? Email us and we might use it!
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AARP Public Policy Institute Releases Report on the Transformation of LTSS
The AARP Public Policy Institute recently issued a report “On the Verge: The Transformation of Long-Term Services and Supports.” The report used findings from a state survey in the fall 2011 with information on programs for older individuals and adults with physical disabilities from 48 states and the District of Columbia. Findings showed that many states are on the verge of transforming the financing and delivery of long-term services and supports.
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2011 Survey of State Medicaid Fraud Control Units Available Online
The National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s 2011 survey of State Medicaid Fraud Control Units is available online. The resource provides a range of data relating to the size and staffing of state units, state Medicaid budgets, state statutory authority for Medicaid Fraud, resident abuse and false claims, and more.
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Materials from AoA's Webinar on MDS 3.0 Are Now Available Online
Materials from a webinar hosted by the Administration on Aging are now posted online. The webinar on January 30, 2012 gave an overview of MDS 3.0 Section Q and Money Follows the Person and detaied how these programs affect the aging network. Slides, the transcript, and the audio recording are available.
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About The Gazette
The Gazette is a weekly e-newsletter, published by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care and the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center. If you do not wish to continue receiving this publication, please unsubscribe. Your contributions and comments are welcome and should be sent to swells@theconsumervoice.org. Copyright © 2011.
The Consumer Voice is the leading national voice representing consumers in issues related to long-term care, helping to ensure that consumers are empowered to advocate for themselves. We are a primary source of information and tools for consumers, families, caregivers, advocates and ombudsmen to help ensure quality care for the individual. The Consumer Voice's mission is to represent consumers at the national level for quality long-term care, services and supports.
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