240915 Long-Term Supports and Services for Individuals with Mental Illness

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Judith L. Poey, MS , Long Term Care, IMPAQ International, Washington, DC
Jennifer N. Howard, MPP, MSW , Health and Long Term Care, IMPAQ International, Washington, DC
Oswaldo Urdapilleta, PhD , IMPAQ International, Columbia, MD
Federal mandates and initiatives (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act, Olmstead Decision) provide an impetus for states to pursue community integration for all individuals. As states continue to reform their long-term supports and services (LTSS) systems, there is a growing interest in determining their successes in achieving a more equitable balance in services. However, findings from the NBIC show that the population most consistently excluded across the LTSS system was individuals with mental illness (MI). Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine and evaluate the LTSS system of ten states through the NBIP. Approximately 19% of adults currently report having functional limitations and/or mental health problems. These individuals require a range of services to live independently. Despite substantial need for supports and services for the disability community, a gap remains in the availability of supports and services specific to individuals with mental illness (MI). To address this gap, the NBIP is assisting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in identifying populations underserved in the current system. Findings: Approximately half of states provided caregivers of individuals with MI the ability to purchase goods and/or services for care. Gaps were also seen in respite services, health promotion programs, and supportive employment services. In addition, the MI population did not have Medicaid 1915(c) waivers available to them in most of the 10 states. These findings indicate that States may not be considering the unique needs of the MI population as efforts to rebalance systems are made.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health administration or related administration
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss aspects of a balanced long-term supports and services system in which all individuals with disabilities, inclusive of mental illness are served. 2. Identify gaps in long-term supports and services systems for individuals with mental illness. 3. Develop recommendations for the expansion of the LTSS system to individuals with mental illness.

Keywords: Mental Health, Disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am a team member of the project
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.