UTAH

In September 1999, key state agencies created a task force to address issues raised by the Olmstead decision and to extend the state's work on community-based services. The Utah Olmstead Comprehensive Plan Advisory Commission now convenes at least twice a year or more frequently if issues arise.

The commission forms short-term work groups to focus on specific needs and issues as they are identified. Recent work groups focused on housing, transportation and work force development. 

Planning

The state's Olmstead plan was issued in March 2002. A 21 page progress report of efforts made by effected departments and divisions was issued in September 2003. The plan and progress report are available online at http://www.dhs.utah.gov/olmstead.htm.

The progress report serves as the mechanism for accountability, oversight and benchmarks. The progress report describes both what has been accomplished and what new action steps need to be identified. It provides for each department or individual division to be held accountable or commended for the actions taken during this time period.

Utah has made conscious efforts to design and follow specific philosophies in relation to long-term care and working with the disabled population. One foundation that guides service delivery for the Department of Human Services and Health is the Lt. Governor's Guiding Principles. This document can be found in Utah's Olmstead Plan.

Updates on individual divisions' portions of the plan are in the progress report. Agencies considered include:

• Aging and Adult Services
• Child and Family Services (DCFS)
• Mental Health (DMH)
• Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD)
• Youth Corrections (DYC)
• Health Care Financing (DHCF)-Long-Term Care Unit, and
• Workforce Services (DWS).

Real Choice Systems Change grant funds are being used to establish a structure to direct individuals to both institutional and noninstitutional services. A portion of the grant provided for the design and implementation of a housing database and Web site (http://webapps.dced.state.ut.us/shod/index.jsp). This initiative will assist low-income families and individuals and agencies serving these populations to more efficiently find suitable housing. Searches may be run for a person's particular needs, including age (over age 62), apartments designed for the disabled, rental housing for domestic abuse victims, and rental housing for the HIV positive.

The Real Choice Systems Change grant is intended to improve access to information and services across the long-term care system, i.e., aging, chronic illness, physically disabled, developmentally disabled, mental retardation and mentally ill populations. The focus is to create a "no wrong door" access to services.

Utah also received the Nursing Home Transition-Independent Living Partnership grant, which was awarded to the Utah Independent Living Center. This grant focuses on providing ongoing outreach and assessment to nursing home residents and facilitates the transition to independent living if appropriate. The Independent Living Center system statewide is participating in this grant.

A statewide caregiver support program was developed and implemented. Currently, the Department of Human Services' Web site (www.hsdaas.utah.gov) serves as the central on-line resource for caregiver information. The site includes a link to the Caregiver Events Calendar (www.caregiverevents.utah.gov) and information about department services and other organizations that assist frail seniors. A stand-alone Web site -Utah Cares-is under construction. Utah Cares will serve as an information and referral Web site when it goes live.

Satisfaction surveys in three major aging program areas (home-delivered meals, case management services and transportation) designed to enable senior citizens to receive care in a community setting were conducted. Surveys are planned for 2004 on four topics: information and referral, congregate meals, respite and in-home services. Survey results are reported to responsible agencies for planning purposes.

The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health commissioned a comprehensive mental health needs assessment, which was recently completed and is currently being reviewed. New preferred practice guidelines are available at the division's Web site, www.hsmh.utah.gov. Further reports that emerging from the assessment will be posted in the future.

The Weber MACS project, a long-term care managed care project, began October 2003. This project allows for more community options for those individuals in nursing homes who can appropriately live in a home or community setting. The long-term care managed care project (through either Weber MACS or FlexCare) now is available to Weber, Morgan, Davis, Salt Lake and Tooele counties.

The Nursing Facility Portability initiative design has been completed, with initial implementation set to begin. The focus of this initiative is to move from the nursing home to independent living appropriate individuals who are able to self-direct their care. The existing service infrastructure (Weber MACS, FlexCare, home and community-based waivers) will be used to facilitate this initiative.

Next Steps

Utah will continue to develop new action steps as needed. Issues such as nursing facility portability initiative; incorporation consumer-directed services in aging programs; and expansion of long-term care/ managed care initiatives are being addressed as the next immediate steps. The overall focus of Utah's initiatives is delivery of services in a more efficient, effective and integrated manner, allowing for more community options in lieu of new state funds.