Olmstead Community First Program

Mass Home Care presented the
following list of specifi c program goals as ‘next
steps’ in the Olmstead/Community First movement:
1. Implement Long-term Care
Options Counseling statewide.
2. Implement the Community First (CF)
1115 waiver program, enhanced services,
with enhanced income and asset rules.
3. Support expansion of respite care capacity for caregivers.
4. Improve funding for case management, medication
management, behavioral health, and caregiver supports
5. Submit a Home and Community Based
Services (HCBS) State Plan Amendment (SPA)
to uncouple HCBS from nursing home eligibility.
6. Increase funding and community-based
services for people who are not low-income
or otherwise not eligible for MassHealth.
7. Remove barriers to community-based care,
make eligibility rules uniform regardless of age.
8. Implement PCA Improvement workgroup
recommendations, including allowing
cueing and supervision to be a need for
care, and creation of the PCA directory, etc.
9. Allow spouses to become paid caregivers
in programs like PCA and Adult Family Care.
10. Increase supply of supportive housing sites,
and 24/7 “housing with services” packages,
including small group homes, using funding from
Community Housing bond and other sources.
11. Implement and fund the ADRC model statewide.
12. Implement mandatory training in cultural competency
on LGBT issues, and a statewide needs assessment of
LGBT individuals with disabilities and the elderly.
13. Increase funding for the protective
services programs, and education on reporting
responsibilities under the abuse and neglect law.
14. Create a medication assistance program for
elders and individuals with disabilities in their homes
by amending the nurse practices act requirements.
“The key to any plan is its implementation,” said
Paul J. Lanzikos, President of Mass Home Care. “We