New Center Aids States in Developing Participant-Directed LTC Programs

Center supports programs that give participants choice and control over their home and community-based services and supports

BOSTON—The Boston College Graduate School of Social Work launched a new technical assistance center that offers states the tools they need to implement a wide variety of participant-directed long-term care programs.

The National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services is the only national center of its kind and is available to assist states and other entities that want to offer, or already offer, participant-directed services to people with disabilities. Participant-directed (also called consumer-directed and self-directed) long-term care programs help people of all ages across all types of disabilities maintain their independence and determine for themselves what mix of personal care services and supports work best for them.

The Center is funded by a $4.75 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a $3.5 million grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies, and additional support from the U.S. Administration on Aging and the Office for the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and the Veterans Health Administration.

The NationalResourceCenter for Participant-Directed Services, which officially launched this month, will offer a wide variety of services, including:

• Individual consulting (The Center is staffed by a team of experts in participant-directed services available to help states and other organizations design and implement participant-direction programs.)

• Membership program (Benefits include updates on the latest developments in participant-direction, opportunities for peer-to-peer networking and support, and direct help with troubleshooting program problems and improving program operations.)

• Research (The Center will manage a broad research agenda, including conducting research on promising practices in participant-direction and the impact of participant-directed programs.)

• Training (Several training modules are available in different program areas, including helping states train the consultants who will help to administer their participant-direction programs.)

• Public policy (The Center will implement a public policy strategy that furthers research, knowledge, and understanding of self-direction for current and potential stakeholders.)

• Participant involvement

• Internet-based resources ( The Center’s web site will house a number of tools, including an online handbook written and edited by experts involved with the Cash & Counseling program.)