1. MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON
2006 Innovations Awards
Council of State Governments
Southern Region
TEXAS’
MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Louisville, Kentucky
July 31, 2006

2. General Overview What is “Money Follows the Person?”
1915 (c) waiver programs
Interest List/Waiting List
Definition of the problem
11,300 Texan have transitioned into the community since September 1, 2001

3. Components of Innovation
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Is this a new idea or method?
Yes. First major statewide effort to begin addressing issue of institutional bias within long term services and supports funding using the “money follows the person” policy.

4. Did the initiative generate widespread support?
Yes. Advocates, consumers, home health providers, executive and legislative branches of government, and other community-based organizations all supported the implementation of this policy.

5. Was this a significant policy change with minimal fiscal impact?
Yes. The initial implementation of the MFP policy did not have any fiscal implications.

6. Was there an immediate impact?
Was this impact broad-based?
Yes. From September 1, 2001, through June 30, 2006, 11,300 Texans have gone from receiving services in a nursing facility to receiving services back in the community. 5,660 individuals remain in the community.

7. AGE RANGE

8. Gender/Ethnicity/Living Arrangement
60%: Female; 40% Male
60% White; 20% Hispanic;
12% Black; Minor numbers for
Native American and Asians
22% Alone; 28% Assisted Living;
45 % with Family; 5%, Group Home
arrangement

9. Did this innovation promote other
public policy?
Yes. The state created ancillary programs to support the initiative:
Transition Assistance Services
Relocation Specialists
Nursing Facility Transition
Teams

10. Is this innovation easily generalized to
other state and national jurisdictions?
Yes. Texas’ MFP policy has had an
impact on:
New Freedom Initiative Grants
Other state public MFP initiatives
(e.g.:CA/MS/NM/WV)
Deficit Reduction Act 2005

12. Contact Information
Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
Commissioner Adelaide Horn
Marc S. Gold
Director, Promoting Independence Initiative