The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (formerly NCCNHR), a leading national voice representing consumers in issues related to long-term care, received a grant from the Foundation of $23,000 in relation to the January 2014 HCBS Settings final rule, which for the first time set standards to ensure that Medicaid HCBS services are provided in the most integrated community setting, are truly non-institutional, and include person-centered care for beneficiaries.

Consumer Voice will use the grant to provide direct advocacy to CMS and the Administration for Community Living with respect to guidance language being developed that serves the interests of older individuals, including those living with dementia; and educate and equip NAELA members with the information and tools necessary to influence the transition plan development at the state level, and to advocate for their clients as the rules go into effect. With that in mind, Consumer Voice has developed a guide on the HCBS Settings final rule specifically for NAELA members and presented a webinar on October 12. Both the archived webinar and guide can be downloaded from the NAELA website.