The North Dakota Department of Human Services’ Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program stakeholders are gathering for a special meeting on Oct. 21, from noon to 2 p.m. Central Time, to discuss new supplemental federal funding available to support North Dakota’s efforts to strengthen in-home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities.
“This is an opportunity to receive up to $5 million in supplemental funding from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that could help North Dakota rebalance our service delivery system, allowing more individuals with disabilities to receive support services in their homes rather than in institutions. People prefer this,” said MFP Program Administrator Jake Reuter.
The stakeholder group regularly advises the department on in-home and community-based services for Medicaid-eligible individuals with disabilities. The virtual public meeting will be held using Microsoft Teams and via conference call at 701-328-0950, conference ID 111 621 115#.
During the meeting, stakeholders will review supplemental funding information and guidelines, MFP program goals and activities and MFP priority populations, and will discuss suggestions on building the state’s capacity to provide long-term services and supports to individuals with disabilities in their homes and communities.
Stakeholder group members were asked to submit suggestions and recommendations in writing in advance of the meeting to Reuter. He said a key focus of the meeting is to review the suggestions and gather additional comments and suggestions and on how the new supplemental funding could be used in North Dakota to meet MFP goals.
To see the complete agenda and details about participating in the online special meeting, visit the public meeting notice section of the department’s website at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/publicnotice/index.html.
Individuals who need accommodations to participate in the meeting can contact Reuter at 701-680-9638, toll free 800-755-2604, 711 (TTY) or jwreuter@nd.gov.
To date, North Dakota’s Money Follows the Person Program funds have helped 521 eligible Medicaid clients with disabilities move from nursing homes, the Life Skills and Transition Center and other facilities to community settings, including apartments, family members’ homes, or other types of living arrangements with supportive services. Participation is voluntary.
The federal government awarded the department a Money Follows the Person grant in 2007 to support community living for individuals with disabilities. Since that time, federal funding support for North Dakota’s MFP program has totaled $29.1 million.