Using Technology to Promote Participant Independence and Choice National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services DHSS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation Public Partnerships, LLC Rewarding Work

Panelists Christina Batista, National Participant Network, National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services Pamela Doty, DHHS, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation Marc Fenton, Public Partnerships, LLC Dianne Kayala, National Resource Center for Participant- Directed Services at Boston College Jeff Keilson, Advocates, Inc. and Rewarding Work Resources Jack Liu, Public Partnerships, LLC

Today How has the participant direction movement been advanced by technology? Participant needs drive the tool development approach Participant technology adoption Information technology needs for program administration Where will participant direction take technology next?

Using Technology to Promote Participant Independence and Choice: A Web Portal Public Partnerships, LLC Marc Fenton, President

Web for Choice and Control Using the web, participants gain more control over their resources Interactive web portal for timesheets, invoices and reports Real-time activity, 24/7 Automatic updates Can’t submit mistakes

Participant Input Drives Development To plan implementation of the web portal:  Focus groups with participants and case managers in MA  participant satisfaction survey in VA included web access questions Participants told us:  About half have web access home, relative, friend, library All with access want to manage budgets online Once they begin online they don’t go back

Useful Tool and Fast Adoption In VA, our first web portal state, we have more than 500 users after several months After initial state promotion it grows virally More than 100 new users per month We get constant “thank you’s”

Half of Participants do not have Web Access What about the half who aren’t web accessible?  Create access through case managers and support brokers  For programs that allow goods and services, provide a one time low cost lap top purchase and ongoing web access Move towards use of low cost netbooks and Personal Digital Assistants (e.g. iPhones) for web access

“Technology has become as important to me as air, food and water.” –Kara Lynn, an individual in San Francisco with ALS. (Photo Credit: 9/14/2009, Higgins, Chester, Jr., The New York Times)

Innovations in Web-Based Recruitment for Direct Support Workers Jeff Keilson Rewarding Work Resources, Inc

Opportunities With Web-Based Technology Increases autonomy, enhances self-direction Allows resources to be pooled for more effective recruitment Increases potential for multi-state collaborations Helps employers sustain recruitment efforts Provides for emergency back-up workers

Web Site

MA PCA Workforce Council From the statute – Council mission: to insure the quality of long-term, in-home, personal care by recruiting, training and stabilizing the work force of personal care attendants.

Testimonial “ Up until now my only resource was word of mouth or ads in newspapers which was time consuming. In just one week with I have interviewed four people, two of whom I hired. Thank you again. This Website is a lifesaver.”

Challenges Not every consumer has access to or feels comfortable using a computer Ensuring that hands-on support is available to consumers when needed Ensuring outreach to consumers so they are aware of resource Ensuring ongoing recruitment efforts for workers Ensuring consumers use website and database and contact interested workers

Successes: Consumers Availability of one accessible resource connecting consumers with workers Consumers have easy access to many more workers than by any other recruitment and outreach method Consumers save time and money Consumers obtain detailed information on potential workers prior to contacting them

Successes: Consumers Cross disability resource Allows family members in one state to assist their family member in another state find direct care workers Information on interviewing, hiring and firing and other resources are accessible in one place Assists employers in locating workers when they want to relocate or travel

Successes: Workers People interested in being PCAs or direct support workers have a vehicle to reach employers Workers can show their skills, experiences and certifications directly to employers Attracts new workers through multiple outreach strategies Simple way to manage a lot of worker information

The end result To give people who need support with daily activities choice and control in finding workers.

Information Systems Needs for the Participant-Directed Program Administrator Dianne Kayala, Director of New Initiatives National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services Boston College

Questions to ask What are the program reporting requirements?  Funder specific What assurances must be met/tracked for compliance? What is the information flow and who needs access to basic information? Is participant access enabled?

Typical Information Needs for Self-Directed Programs Participant Demographics Assessment of Needs Authorized Budget Amount/Calculation Methodology Range of allowable purchases  Hired employees  Goods and services  Savings for large purchases Spending Plan entry and authorization

Information Needs for Self-Directed Programs Employee information Spending Information Quality Oversight and Management  Time from referral to services  Visits and contacts made within program parameters  Grievances and Incident Reporting  Participant satisfaction  Adherence to budget

Goals of Information Systems Support completion of needed assessments and service plans; Make communication among the participant (and or representative), his or her counselor, financial management services agency and state administrator simple and efficient; Permit ongoing, timely, and efficient monitoring and; Provide data to support improvement of the quality of service in the program and to demonstrate that program goals are being met.

Example of software

How to get started Ask for a demonstration of available software  Demonstrations are available in the exhibit area for the CDM shown in the previous slide Investigate costs (direct and indirect) Investigate system models:  Central or local storage of data  Ongoing licensure cost (if applicable)  Exit strategy (what happens to your data if you decide to change systems)  Local resources needed  Support

When It Works: Successful Technology Use in a Participant Direction Program Christina Batista National Participant Network National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services

For More Information Marc Fenton Public Partnerships, LLC Jeff Keilson Rewarding Work Resources, Inc Dianne Kayala National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services Christina Batista NRCPDS National Participant Network