Health

New Editions provided the Office of Performance and Evaluation (OPE) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL) with analysis and technical assistance support. ACL strives to ensure that all people, regardless of age and disability, live with dignity, make their own choices and participate fully in society.

In June, New Editions facilitated the seventh annual meeting between the US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Agriculture (USDA) at HUD headquarters. The theme of this year’s meeting was Housing as a Platform for Health.

During the first week of August, I attended a conference hosted by Aniridia Foundation International (AFI). Aniridia means “lack of the iris,” which is the colored ring around the pupil of the eye. Advances in research and development have shown that the impact of aniridia extends beyond the eye and can affect the development and maintenance of the eyes, pancreas, central nervous system, olfactory system, and parts of the brain. Aniridia is caused by a mutation of the PAX 6 gene which is now known to control development of the eyes as well as several systems in the body.

Money Follows the Person (MFP) Technical Assistance (TA) Needs Assessment is a survey that collects data on states' progress and TA needs in implementing the MFP Demonstration.

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) Technical Assistance (TA) Tracker allows MFP-related professionals to track TA requests and outcomes. It allows users to track assigned requests, reassign requests to other users, add comments to requests and more.

The Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) website is designed to assist the ICDR in its goal to promote coordination and cooperation among federal departments and agencies conducting disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research programs. The site contains ICDR activities, disability research news, ICDR reports and general federal disability research resources.

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) Technical Assistance (TA) website promotes promising practices, and provides guidance on program improvement strategies in the areas of system performance and individual consumer outcomes for the MFP Rebalancing Demonstration.

In support of the 2010 National Disability Summit on Disability Policy, New Editions’ team of researchers prepared ten working papers on disability policy issues. This landmark event marked the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and attracted over 400 stakeholders from across the country. The working papers addressed policy accomplishments and future challenges in areas such as civil rights, housing, health, employment, education and technology.

The online Orientation Training Module was developed by New Editions for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research’s (NIDILRR’s) peer reviewers. The module was created to help peer reviewers better understand their responsibility and role in reviewing materials submitted by NIDILRR grantees for various grants.