To help minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of this overhaul, consumer advocates and other stakeholders can assess and work to shape state programs using this tool, which combines a checklist with examples of good practice. The checklist draws from federal guidance, Community Catalyst’s paper on states’ best practices and expert advice from other stakeholders, including agencies serving people who are aging and/or have disabilities.
Each of the sections provides a robust set of criteria for assessing and shaping your state’s program paired with examples of practices, policies or contract language that implement the criteria. We chose examples from the states that best meet a particular criteria. No one state meets all the criteria, and the lack of mention of a program does not necessarily mean it needs overhaul. Advocates can draw on these examples to improve practices in their states. However, good contract language or policies are only effective if they are enforced, so it is essential that advocates and other stakeholders actively monitor LTSS programs.