$24.2 Million Federal Grant to Help Connecticut Residents Move from Nursing Homes

ct.gov, Jan 31, 2007

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that Connecticut is receiving a $24.2 million federal grant to pioneer new ways of helping people move from nursing facilities and other institutions to life at home with family and friends.The initiative has become known in Connecticut as Money Follows the Person.

“This represents a tremendous step forward in our efforts to help people with disabilities and their families,” Governor Rell said. “The idea is to use Medicaid dollars as flexibly as possible to give people more choices about their living situation.

“People depend on Medicaid eligibility to put a roof over their head and provide them with services. Now, we can help get more people home by arranging support like 24-hour, in-home care, which Medicaid has not traditionally paid for.

“We want to do everything we can to help people achieve a more independent lifestyle. That means giving people more choices about their living situation. It means enabling them to return home to their families and their communities. This approach will be cost-effective for taxpayers and lead to wonderful improvements in the quality of life for many of our seniors and people with disabilities.” Read more at ct.gov