North Dakota Olmstead Commission

Purpose:

Monitor services and conduct planning in order to comply with the United States Supreme Court's Olmstead decision by providing appropriate community-based services for individuals with disabilities, consistent with the needs and available resources of the state. See Olmstead decision summary information.

Vision:

People will be able to make choices about long-term care and support services based on knowledge and understanding of all service options

Background:

• Established in 2001 by Executive Order of the Governor
• First met December 19, 2001
• Held public meetings across the state in March 2002 to gather input on services for people with disabilities
• Was awarded a three-year, $900,000 federal Real Choice Systems Change grant, which funded six local demonstration projects
  • Requests for proposals of projects were received in 2003 and projects were implemented into 2005
  • The Commission received project reports in 2006. See Summary Report prepared April 3, 2007
• Currently co-chaired by Tami Ternes, Policy Advisory, N.D. Governor's Office, and Maggie Anderson, Interim Executive Director of the N.D. Department of Human Services
• Continues to meet and work to accomplish Olmstead-related goals through the Commission, a Work Group comprised of individuals selected by the Commission and chaired by Janis Cheney of AARP, and Task Subcommittees established by the Work Group.

ND Olmstead Plan Documents:

• North Dakota Olmstead Plan 2011 Update (September 2011) - Summarizes accomplishments since previous meeting
• North Dakota Olmstead Plan 2010 Update (July 2010) - Summarizes accomplishments since previous meeting
• Comprehensive Working Plan to Enhance Community Services in Response to Olmstead
  • Updated in May 2008, the state's plan includes:
    • Background on the Olmstead Decision
    • Historical information about state efforts to serve individuals with disabilities in less restrictive settings
    • A record of state and Olmstead Commission efforts,
    • State's planning document, which is a working document.
• Appendix A of Plan: Completed Olmstead-related Goals

Commission:

• Executive Order 2010-15 (Oct. 2010)
• Executive Order Establishing Commission 2001-07
• Members
• Structure, Roles, and Calendar of Activities
• Meeting Agendas, Minutes and Public Announcements

Related Efforts & Initiatives:

• North Dakota Developmental Center – Transition to Community Task Force (underway)
• North Dakota Money Follows the Person Grant Initiative (underway)
  • A federal grant-funded effort that focuses on 1) transitioning qualifying Medicaid-eligible individuals from nursing homes and Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICFMR is a federal term) to community settings, and 2) to strengthen access to and usage of home and community-based long-term care services
• Real Choice Systems Change Grant Rebalancing Initiative (concluded)

Other Resources:

• Fact Sheet: Olmstead Update: Serving People With Developmental Disabilities in Communities (November 2002) (28kb pdf)
• Report: Olmstead Commission Focus Group Results (April 2002)
• White Paper: Olmstead Decision (Summer 2000)