Bringing People Home

Betty & grand child

Bringing People Home is a landmark initiative to help people make informed choices about whether to leave the nursing facility and return to community living with needed services and supports.

Everyone should have a choice. 

Many people with disabilities have lost their homes or can no longer remain in their homes due to a lack of essential services and supports. They are left with no choice but to live in a nursing facility.

Marsters v. Healey  is a lawsuit filed by seven individuals with disabilities living in nursing facilities and the Mass Senior Action Council against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The case sought to require the Commonwealth to provide community residential services and supports for individuals with medical conditions, physical disabilities, and mental illness who need housing and supportive services to return to community living. 

The Center for Public Representation and others brought this case on behalf of thousands of people needlessly segregated in nursing facilities to help ensure everyone can make an informed choice about whether to live more independently, closer to family and friends with community-based services.

The Marsters Settlement Agreement was reached with the Commonwealth where they agreed to invest in new housing opportunities and community-based programs for older adults and persons with physical disabilities or mental illness.  The Agreement benefits everyone in nursing facilities and requires the Commonwealth to create-

  • an informed choice process and transition assistance for everyone in nursing facilities;
  • new residential services for at least 2,400 people who want to leave nursing facilities;
  • special services for people with serious mental illness who remain in nursing facilities. 

People are Coming Home!

Read about success stories of people who made the transition to community life.

Client Success Stories - Bringing People Home

 

Here's How It Works

The Center for Public Representation (CPR) is leading the implementation phase of the initiative. Here are key things to know.

Who is eligible to apply?

  • Adults age 22 and older and
  • Have Medicaid or are eligible for Medicaid and
  • Have lived in a Massachusetts nursing facility more than 60 days and
  • Have a disability and
    • Want to live in the community or want more information about living in the community
      OR
    • Have a serious mental illness and need services in the nursing facility

 

 

Who helps with the transition process?

The Community Transition Liaison Program (CTLP), has a team of skilled professionals from your local Aging Services Access Points or ASAPs. They visit every nursing facility weekly to talk with all residents.  CTLP professionals can:

  • inform residents of their rights;
  • help adults with decisions about whether to leave the facility;
  • provide assistance for a safe and supported transfer to community living.

To learn more, call the Aging Services Access Point or ASAP in your area to schedule a visit with a CTLP professional at your nursing facility.

Here is a list of   Aging Services Access Point (ASAP).

 

What are the supports and services?

The Bringing People Home initiative benefits everyone in nursing facilities and provides specific supports for adults who want to transition to community living, such as-

  • In-reach, informed choice, and transition planning:
    • everyone can receive information and opportunities to learn about community options, assistance in leaving nursing facilities, and special services in nursing facilities to support transition to the community.
  • Case management services: 
    • everyone can receive expanded case management services to help people make decisions about whether to leave the facility, and coordinate transition to the community.
  • Coordinated behavioral health services: 
    • For people with serious mental illness in nursing facilities, case managers with special experience help identify care needs, including Specialized Services for adults with PASRR SMI, and coordinate services.
  • Residential Services and Housing Support: 
    • New community housing options in a variety of settings.
    • Focus on communities of color, which have been disproportionately impacted by unnecessary institutionalization.
  • Cultural and linguistic competency: 
    • Including training for staff, transition options in home communities, and supported decision making.

Learn more at Brining People Home, Center for Public Representation

Support from Advisory Partners

CPR and Greater Boston Legal Services with support from Dignity Alliance MA, host quarterly advisory groups to learn about experiences adults are having with the transition process and access to services in the Agreement, and provides updates based on ongoing monitoring and data from the State. Dignity Alliance Massachusetts helps to organize workgroups, train advocates, and assist families and guardians in navigating the transition process.

 

How to Get Help and Learn More

 

If you or a loved one resides in a nursing facility and is seeking independent housing with support, or you are a care professional helping an adult and family navigate options, you can-

We welcome your feedback!

CPR meets quarterly with the State representatives and other team members to discuss the transition process, address needs and improve the program. Your feedback is essential to learn how the program is working and what services are needed. You can send a note below or contact CPR directly at (413) 586-6024, press '2', or email, bringingpeoplehome@cpr-ma.org

Thank you!

Please enter your name.
Please enter a message.