Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
March 16, 2004, Vol. 04-33

CMS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: DEMONSTRATION TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE AND EMPLOYMENT

Please see below a State Medicaid Directors letter sent from the Centers Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing a funding opportunity under the Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment. A copy of the solicitation is also attached. Check the CMS website for upcoming teleconferences on this demo. Applications are due July 15, 2004.

This demonstration grant provides an opportunity to investigate the question: Can a program of medical assistance and other supports forestall or prevent the loss of employment and independence due to a potentially disabling and medically determinable physical or mental impairment?

SMDL #04-003

March 15, 2004

Dear State Medicaid Director

We are pleased to issue a third-round grant solicitation for the Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment. This solicitation is a modification of the versions issued in October 2000 and in January 2002.

This demonstration grant provides an opportunity to investigate the question: can a program of medical assistance and other supports forestall or prevent the loss of employment and independence due to a potentially disabling and medically determinable physical or mental impairment? We have established four priority areas for possible demonstrations:

1. Projects that target individuals with job-threatening serious mental illnesses. Such projects could focus on early mental health screening, assessment, and referral, while maintaining individuals' connections to their employers.
2. Comprehensive community-based efforts to assist individuals across disability categories and who are at high risk of becoming disabled maintain their employment.
3. Projects that target individuals who have progressive impairments that, without early intervention and treatment, have a high probability of becoming disabling.
4. Demonstrations that provide wrap-around services for individuals with potentially disabling conditions who have employer-sponsored private insurance.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recognizes the severe financial constraints that states are facing and will fund 100 percent of the costs of the project, with the exception of costs for medical assistance services that could potentially be included as a Medicaid-funded service. For these services, CMS will provide funds that are equivalent to the state's Federal medical assistance percentage rate. CMS encourages states to develop innovative alternatives to fund the portion of the cost not covered with Federal demonstration funds. Demonstrations may be sub-state, statewide, or multi-state in nature.

Proposals are due by July 15, 2004. You may access our TWWIIA Web site at http://cms.hhs.gov/twwiia/default.asp for information on how to apply for this grant.

Thank you for your interest in maintaining employment for people with potentially disabling conditions.

Sincerely,

Dennis G. Smith
Director

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.