DARS Awarded Medicaid Infrastructure Grant

The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Service (DARS) in collaboration with the Health and Human Services Commission is pleased to announce it has been awarded a four year Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) in the amount of $500,000.00 per year. It will allow DARS to develop the infrastructure for a comprehensive system of competitive employment support for persons with disabilities.

The five primary grant goals for the first year will be:

1. Increase enrollment in Medicaid Buy-In (MBI). Funds from the grant will assist the state to support the implementation of a statewide MBI program by establishing a baseline utilization rate of the MBI and setting goals to increase enrollment through education and outreach.
   
   
2. Conduct mapping and analysis of system resources. In mapping and analysis of system resources, DARS will analyze public and private resources to assist people with disabilities. A system to track disabled individuals who use the workforce system will be developed and implemented, and a gap analysis will be conducted, which will guide us in strategically planning for the future.
   
   
3. Increase partner collaboration. Grant funds will be used to implement a tracking model for users of the VR and One-Stop workforce systems. Training materials, including a resource guide of programs for people with disabilities, will be developed and cross-training on MBI will be conducted. A MIG Task Force will be created to enhance information gathering, collaboration, and use of state resources. DARS will convene meetings to work toward partner collaboration.
   
   
4. Facilitate the establishment of an informed consumer base. Grant funds will be used to develop and market media products to inform consumers about MBI and employment. The resource guide will be a useful tool to help this population navigate through the range of services at both the state and local level, and it will be distributed statewide.
   
   
5. Facilitate the establishment of an informed employer base. Concentrated efforts in the area of system capabilities and examination of baseline use data, as well as the development of institutional knowledge, will be used to increase system utilization.
   
   
6. Future goals for this project will be developed based on the outcomes achieved in the first year of this project.

More information about programs this grant will support is forthcoming. Thank you for your support which made this grant award possible. If you have any questions please contact Elizabeth Gregowicz at (512) 377-0486 or elizabeth.gregowicz@dars.state.tx.us