Ohio receives federal funding for Medicaid project

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Helen Jones-Kelley today announced that Ohio will receive $100 million over five years from the federal government to enable about 2,200 seniors and persons with disabilities to be relocated from institutions to home and community based settings. Ohio is one of 17 states to receive funding for the "Money Follows the Person" demonstration projects which were enacted by Congress as part of the Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

"This funding will enable Ohio to increase its support for those who wish to receive care in home and community settings," Jones-Kelley said.

The statewide project will identify and relocate Medicaid consumers who have lived for at least six months in nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for people with mental retardation or hospitals. The federal government will pay a larger than normal share of funds for the first year after the person is relocated to a home or community based setting.

The project will also add some services that are not currently funded by Medicaid to help facilitate a successful transition from institution to community including independent living skills development, peer support, benefits coordination, a housing locator, service animals and specially adapted home computers.

A total of 38 states applied for the funding. Ohio will receive the third largest grant amount of any state. The grant award will be made to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. In designing Ohio's proposal, ODJFS sought the input of consumer advocates, service providers, and other state agencies including the Ohio Departments of MR/DD, Aging, Mental Health, and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. These stakeholders will be asked to participate in an ongoing advisory group that will advise and assist ODJFS with the project's implementation. Ohio will begin to receive the new service funding within 12 months.

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For more information, contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650.