State Receives Grant to Decrease Number of Oregonians in Institutions

In this second round of awards, Oregon is one of the 13 states and the District of Columbia to receive the demonstration grant.

Oregon State Hospital Photo by: Bonnie King

(SALEM, Ore) - The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded Oregon a five-year, $114 million grant to assist with the state's ongoing efforts to transition people from institutions to community-based care settings.

Since 1981 Oregon has led the nation in the development of lower cost alternatives to institutional care. Oregon ranks first nationally in the proportion of Medicaid long-term care expenditures made for home care and last among the states for institutionalized nursing care expenditures.

"Oregon remains at the forefront nationally in providing care and assistance that lets individuals remain in their communities," said Gov. Ted Kulongoski." With this federal vote of confidence in our efforts, we will be able to provide for hundreds more Oregonians in a community setting."

Oregon's Money Follows the Person grant will be managed through the Oregon Department of Human Services Seniors and People with Disabilities Division. The grant will help transition 780 Oregonians from institutional to community care during the next five years.

"For 25 years, Oregon has shown that institutionalized populations with complex medical and long-term care needs can be served in their communities with wrap-around services," said Bruce Goldberg, M.D., DHS director." This grant will allow us to continue to strengthen our state's community-based care system."

The department will be developing an implementation plan and is convening a group of advocates, community partners, DHS staff and managers, including individuals working in institutions and community-care homes.

The grant will serve:

• 40 children with developmental disabilities in pediatric nursing facilities,
• 300 seniors with end-stage dementia,
• 300 adults with physical disabilities in nursing facilities, and
• 140 adults with developmental disabilities in nursing and intermediate care facilities.

In this second round of awards, Oregon is one of the 13 states and the District of Columbia to receive the demonstration grant. CMS announced the first round of 17 recipients in January.