Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
May 17, 2005, Vol. 05-75

On April 29, 2005, CMS announced that approximately $35 million in new grants will be awarded to states to develop programs for people with disabilities or long term illnesses. The "Real Choice Systems Change Grants" will help states and territories enable people with disabilities to reside in their homes and participate fully in community life.

The President has promoted the goal of community living for people with disabilities through his New Freedom Initiative. Under this initiative ten federal agencies have collaborated to remove barriers to community living. The additional funding for "Real Choice Systems Change Grants" approved by Congress for FFY 2005 will augment CMS efforts to help states improve their community-based services.

Since 2001, CMS has awarded 238 RCSC grants, totaling approximately $188 million to 50 states, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the District of Columbia. Seeking feedback from stakeholders, including consumers and the organizations that represent them, this year's grant categories take a slightly different approach than previous years. The introduction of the "Systems Transformation Grants" in 2005 will give states a chance to implement broader, more integrated, and flexible reform options that address issues from self-direction to information technology."

Three types of grants are offered under the title, "Real Choice Systems Change Grants":

Family-to-Family Health Care Information and Education Center Grants: These grants will fund the development of nonprofit centers, which provide information, education, training, and peer support to families of children with special health care needs, with an emphasis on individual and family-directed supports.

Systems Transformation (STG) grants: These grants will provide states with a greater level of support to begin or further current initiatives to implement a more comprehensive, integrated, reform strategy. The funds will be used to develop state-based strategic plans and system assessments, and will target key elements of systems infrastructure, such as access and self-directed services, that are critical to successful systems transformation

Aging and Disability Resource Center Grants (ADRC): These grants support state efforts to create "one stop shop" centers to help consumers learn about and access long-term supports ranging from in-home services to nursing facility care. The ADRC grants are being offered under a separate soliciation administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA), but award and administratation will be coordinated by CMS and AoA.

In addition, some funding will be used to perform a national evaluation and develop grant support tools. A copy of the 2005 Real Choice Systems Change solicitation package, including the application forms, can be obtained at www.grants.gov. For more details about the grants, visit the CMS web site at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom/
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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.