DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 10, 2003 DHSS-106-2003 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Allison Taylor Levine, Communication Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
Contact: Allison Taylor Levine Phone: (302) 255-9037 Pager: (302) 247-8523 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
$351,702 GRANT WILL HELP IMPROVE COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR DELAWAREANS WITH DISABILITIES
Division of Developmental Disabilities Services receives one of 75 federal grants
Delaware Health and Social Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) has received a three-year federal grant totaling $351,702 to improve community-based services for people with disabilities.
The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will help DDDS maintain and improve its quality assurance and quality improvement system for community-based services. The division will use the money to evaluate the current system and to develop new tools - such as surveys for clients and families - for measuring consumer satisfaction and outcomes and gathering suggestions for improvement. The grant also will help the division develop computer software programs and databases for collecting, tracking and analyzing quality assurance and improvement information.
Delaware's grant is part of more than $33 million that CMS is distributing to states and other organizations to help enhance programs for people with disabilities or long-term illnesses. The Real Choice Systems Change Grants for Community Living last week awarded the 75 grants to help states and territories enable people with disabilities to reside in their homes and participate fully in community life.
The grants are part of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which promotes community living for people with disabilities. The grants are intended to provide states and other eligible entities with funding to make lasting improvements to their home and community-based services programs. A complete list of the grants awarded is available at: www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20031002a.html. More information about the grants and the New Freedom Initiative is available at www.cms.hhs.gov/newfreedom.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
