Technical Assistance
NASDDDS provides technical assistance to member state agencies
and entities designated by the state agency. Information and technical assistance
are available as a membership benefit. NASDDDS staff are also available to engage
in contractual technical assistance on more extensive projects that require
either site visits or a substantial time commitment at special member rates.
Technical Assistance as a Membership Benefit
As part of basic membership services NASDDDS' staff offer off-site
technical assistance (i.e., technical assistance not requiring a separate
contractual agreement or a visit to the state) involving less than 8 hours
of staff time to complete. Examples of the technical assistance provided by
the staff to member state agencies as a membership benefit include:
- Reviewing and commenting on draft sections of a state's HCBS
waiver application;
- Reviewing and commenting on a state's proposed quality management
plans;
- Assisting a state to delineate and develop approaches to
supporting self-directed services;
- Providing resource materials on topics such as parental fees,
workforce development, case management services, individual budgeting, resource
allocation methods, employment, functional assessment, health and behavioral
risk assessments, provider standards, self-directed services, supporting
self advocacy, and a variety of others areas;
- Furnishing information and guidance regarding services to
persons with co-occurring disabilities;
- Interpreting applicable federal policies, especially federal
Medicaid policies;
- Analyzing proposed state policies in the context of CMS regulations;
and
- Assisting states in crafting HCBS service definitions
and provider standards.
Contractual Technical Assistance
NASDDDS provides on- and off-site consultation under separate
contractual arrangements with requesting state agencies or another approved
entity on a broad array of areas such as policy development, program and infrastructure
design, systems change, service delivery, and facility downsizing. Association
staff also conduct analyses and studies of a program's design, operations,
and capacity. NASDDDS staff provide individual direct technical assistance
and can develop and manage project teams as well.
Examples of the contractual technical assistance provided by
NASDDDS staff to member state agencies include:
- Evaluating the overall state program for people with disabilities
with a focus on resource distribution and waiting lists;
- Analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of quality management
systems, statewide case management systems; and overall administrative structures;
- Restructuring and developing new Medicaid HCBS waiver programs
that comport with existing CMS policies and meet the state's needs;
- Planning and execution of a facility closure initiative;
- Developing individual resource allocation strategies and
individual budgeting processes;
- Developing state policies/practices which afford self-advocates
opportunities to be fully included in the policy-making/execution process;
- Facilitating and analyzing the results of focus group sessions
in connection with the development of new community development activities/policies;
- Making presentations to various stakeholder groups such as
self-advocates, providers, families and other government entities regarding
national practice, program design, and federal requirements; and
- Training on federal requirements.
We welcome inquiries regarding technical assistance. You may
contact any of the NASDDDS senior staff to discuss your projects and technical
assistance needs.
NASDDDS
Staff Directory
State
Specific Technical Assistance Reports
