1. New Freedom Initiative A government-wide framework for helping provide elders and people with disabilities with necessary supports to live and fully participate in community life. www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom

2. New Freedom Initiative Independence Plus Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 Open Door Forums –http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedo m/nfiforums.pdf

3. New Freedom Initiative Next Open Door Forum - August 27 at 3:00 pm – Mental Health Issues/Initiatives How to Register –www.cms.hhs.gov –Click on the “NFI Open Door Forum:” under Initiatives in the left hand column. (chart of all 13 Open Door Forums) –Click on the “NFI Open Door Forum” to link with information on how to register. –You may also click on and register for other Open Door Forums as well.

4. Independence Plus Tools to assist States in the development of programs that enable individuals and families to decide how best to plan, obtain and sustain community based services, placing control into the hands of the people using the services.

5. Independence Plus Information available on the CMS web site: –Overview Information –Templates – 1915(c) & 1115 –Budget Shell for the 1115

6. Independence Plus http://www.cms.hhs.gov/independenceplus/ or - –Click on “Accomplishments” at the bottom of the New Freedom Initiative home page –Click on “Independence Plus”

7. Independence Plus The CMS Essential Elements associated with a successful self-directed program include: –Person Centered Planning –Individual Budgeting –Self-Directed Supports (e.g., Supports Brokerage and Financial Management Services) –Quality Assurances and Improvement

8. Independence Plus (I+) Information on I+ Essential Elements: –“Home and Community Based Services: From Institutional Care to Self-Directed Supports & Services” (especially pages 14-18 under Question 10) http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/528hill.pdf At the New Freedom Initiative home page click on “Background Materials for Past Open Door Forums”

9. Independence Plus Approved Programs– –Florida Cash and Counseling Demonstration –New Hampshire’s In Home Support Waiver for Children with Developmental Disabilities –Louisiana New Opportunities Waiver –South Carolina Choice

10. Independence Plus Approved Programs (continued) –access information on approved programs at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/odf back.asp same page as the essential elements

11. Independence Plus Questions the program may be addressed to: –selfdirectionwaiver@cms.hhs.gov for waivers –selfdirectiondemo@cms.hhs.gov for demonstrations

12. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 Information Sources –CMS New Freedom Initiative http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom –Addresses Follow for: Solicitations Q&As E-Mail Contacts

13. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 States and others, in partnership with their disability and aging communities, may submit proposals aimed at building infrastructure that will result in effective and enduring improvements in community long- term support systems.

14. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 Main Real Choice Systems Change Grants –Solicitation (PDF 689KB) – Includes 10 different grant opportunities http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2003 solicitation.pdf –Appendices to Solicitation (PDF 704KB) http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/2003 appendix.pdf

15. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 1.Respite for Adults 2.Respite for Children 3.Community-Based Treatment Alternatives for Children 4.Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement in Home and Community-Based Services 5.Independence Plus Initiative

16. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 6.Money Follows the Person Rebalancing Initiative 7.Community-Integrated Personal Assistance Services and Supports 8.National State-to-State Technical Assistance Program for Community Living 9.Technical Assistance for Consumer Task Forces 10.Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Center

17. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 Aging and Disability Resource Center Grant Solicitation – Available on both CMS and AoA Web sites –Program Announcement and Application Instructions (PDF 374KB) http://www.aoa.gov http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/resctr annappinst.pdf

18. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 Dates of Federal Register Announcements –Aging and Disability Resource Center Grant – May 29, 2003 –Main Real Choice Systems Change Grants – May 30, 2003

19. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 Applicants’ Teleconference held on June 12, 2003 –Replay of teleconference was available via a 1-800 phone for 3-full days after the teleconference. Questions and Answers (Q&As) from the teleconference are incorporated into two Q&A documents (Real Choice and Aging and Disability Resource Center) of July 14, 2003.

20. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 Q&As – continued –Aging and Disability Resource Center (PDF 246KB) http://www.aoa.gov http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedo m/adrcqa.pdf –Main Real Choice Systems Change Grants (PDF 424KB) http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedo m/71403scqa.pdf

21. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 Applications due dates: –July 28 – Aging and Disability Resource Center Grants –July 29 – All other Real Choice Systems Change Grants

22. Real Choice Systems Change Grants in FY 2003 Questions concerning the grants may be addressed to: -Kari.benson@aoa.gov - RealChoiceFY03@cms.hhs.gov