DHS Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Grant (Inclusive Health Program)

DHS Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Grant

Geographic Scope: Wisconsin

Focus Areas:

• Expand Inclusive Health program
• Improve Medicaid home and community-based services
• Support for older adults and people with disabilities
• Raise awareness about health disparities facing people with intellectual disabilities (ID)
• Develop care delivery systems for people with ID
• Create communities where Special Olympics athletes have equal access to health and wellness resources

Background:
This grant is part of a statewide effort. A total of $12.75 million was being awarded to 91 organizations statewide during this round of funding. The grant funding was made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Key Activities:

• Training teams of staff, volunteers, Health Messengers, and mentors
• Coordinate with local organizations, health care providers and medical college students
• Provide free training on specific needs of individuals with ID
• Health education and lifestyle coaching
• Address health disparities: individuals with ID have higher prevalence of health conditions, earlier onset of chronic disease, diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and die 20 years earlier than general population

Award Date: July 31, 2023