Gov. Nixon, Local Families Discuss Benefits of Partnership for Hope for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon sat down with two Jackson County families this morning to discuss the Partnership for Hope, a new state program that is having a positive impact on the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Gov. Nixon joined Mary and Keith Kinart, and their son Austin; and Diana and Kenneth Spare, and their daughter Lucy, to discuss the home- and community-based services the Partnership for Hope has made available to 470 Missourians with developmental disabilities. Through the Partnership for Hope, families will receive these services sooner than previously possible, delaying or avoiding the need for residential or institutional programs in many cases. The partnership, which took effect Oct. 1, was made possible by a partnership between the state of Missouri; 37 participating county developmental disability boards; and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

"The Partnership for Hope will offer help and support to hundreds of Missouri families caring for loved ones with developmental disabilities," Gov. Nixon said. "For too long, families were forced to wait for a crisis before help was available. This partnership shows that families and communities can work together successfully to care for individuals with developmental disabilities at home and in the community."

Prior to the Partnership for Hope, demand for home- and community-based services had resulted in a large backlog of Missouri families waiting for help. Because of the backlog, many families waited years before receiving the services they need. Priority had been given to individuals in crisis, such as individuals who were homeless or whose primary caregiver had passed away; in many of those cases, residential or institutional treatment became the only option.

Through the Partnership for Hope, 470 individuals will receive up to $12,000 in services per year. Many families already have enrolled in the program and are receiving services; other families will begin receiving services in the coming weeks. The county boards are contributing $1.5 million annually for the program, which is matched by $1.5 million in state funds to draw down $5.2 million from the federal government. Funding will be available on a continuing basis for future years.

The number of individuals served in each county will depend on the financial commitment given by the county's board. County boards will determine which individuals within their county will receive services. In Jackson County, 90 families will receive services through the Partnership for Hope. Already, 78 Jackson County families are enrolled.

Because of the Partnership for Hope, Lucy Spare will be eligible for supported-employment services. Lucy has a diagnosis of mild retardation and Down's syndrome, but she is a vibrant, fast learner and is very capable of mastering new skills. Her parents want her to spend as much time as possible out of the house, either working or volunteering. Lucy's family is in the process of reviewing and hiring an assistant who will help her learn new job skills and explore new work opportunities.

Austin Kinart, who is diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, will receive personal assistance and off-site day habilitation services through the Partnership for Hope. Austin is enrolled and doing well in the THRIVE Program at the University of Central Missouri, but his parents, both of whom work, worry about what he will do during winter and summer breaks. Austin needs support in public and social settings, such as restaurants. A personal assistant will help increase Austin's social skills, help expand his social network, and help him be more successful in school.

On Dec. 13, the Missouri Department of Mental Health filed a request with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand the Partnership for Hope to an additional 500 individuals. State and county resources are available to fund this expansion if it is approved by CMS. A federal decision on the expansion could come as early as March.

Keith Schaefer, director of the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and Jake Jacobs, executive director of Developmental Disability Services of Jackson County, also participated in the roundtable.

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