1. Community Living Exchange Collaborative: A National Technical Assistance Program Midwestern Regional Housing Forum An Introduction Michael Morris: Director, National Disability Institute, NCB Development Corporation

2. Who We Are The Community Living Exchange Collaborative is funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Collaborative offers information, training and technical assistance to Real Choice Systems Change grantees of CMS to expand opportunities for community living and integration for persons with disabilities.

3. Who We Are The Collaborative is a joint project of Rutgers Center for State Health Policy and the National Academy for State Health Policy. Strategic partners include Roger Auerbach Consulting, Inc. and the NCB Development Corporation and its National Disability Institute.

4. Goals 1.To improve overall knowledge of potential housing resources to respond to the Olmstead “Community Imperative.” 2.To foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to expand and improve affordable and accessible housing choices for individuals with disabilities of low income status. 3. To build and improve relationships and collaboration opportunities among housing, medical assistance, mental health, mental retardation/developmental disability agencies at a state level and public housing agencies at a local level.

5. What We Know There is a critical shortage of affordable and accessible housing options There is no single solution or strategy that will expand affordable housing choices for persons with disabilities.

6. Agenda Offer varied formats to present information and ask questions. Present National and Regional experts to share lessons learned and proven systems change strategies. Provide opportunities for group discussions and priority setting for state teams. Produce state specific Action Plans for future collaboration and development.