Seven states will receive a share of over $8 million in grants from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to increase awareness of home- and community-based long-term care options for people leaving hospitals who otherwise may enter a traditional nursing home.
The $8.3 million in grants are part of the Real Choice Systems Change (RCSC) grant program, which is designed to help states and territories rebalance their long-term support programs to help people with chronic illness or disabilities reside in their homes and participate in community life.
Over $7 million of the awards will be used to develop person-centered hospital discharge planning models. These new models for the discharge planning process will place greater emphasis on involving patients and their families in after-care plans, including exploring home-based alternatives to institutional care.
| Organization | FY08 Award |
| Kansas Department on Aging | $1,272,179 |
| Oregon Department of Human Services | $1,600,000 |
| State of Alaska, Dept. of Health and Social Services | $1,237,107 |
| Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services | $1,598,913 |
| South Carolina Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging | $1,224,801 |
| Idaho State University | $800,000 |
| Total New Grants | $7,733,000 |
| Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services | $332,746 |
| State of Alaska, Dept. of Health and Social Services | $241,867 |
| Total Supplemental Awards | $574,613 |
| Total Awards for FY2008 | $8,307,613 |
Since fiscal year 2001, the CMS has awarded approximately $270.3 million in Real Choice Systems Change (RCSC) Grants for Community Living.
Aaron Toleos, Online Communications Director
atoleos@phinational.org
