Capstone

Real Choice Systems Change

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently awarded a number of grants to help states make lasting improvements in their home and community-based services programs. The grants are part of the President's "New Freedom Initiative" which promotes the goal of community living for individuals with disabilities and long-term illnesses. They are designed to enable people with disabilities to reside in their homes and participate fully in community life.

The Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) was selected by CMS to receive one of nine state grants in the area of Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).

The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) is pleased to serve as a partner with the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) and the Delmarva Foundation. We are playing a key role over three years to assist APD with the following goals:

• Institute quality management and services delivery structures consistent with principles of self determination
• Achieve a more person-directed service delivery system, with the result of increased achievement of outcomes for people
• Re-align the state system to build quality improvement, management and leadership capacity
• Improve organizational practices to support outcome achievement for people
• Ensure continuity and sustain quality management practices

We congratulate Florida's APD on being selected for this important grant and look forward to continuing our partnership with the state and the Delmarva Foundation.

To learn more about the CMS quality initiatives for Home and Community Based Services, visit www.cms.gov