Projects
Hope and Opportunity in Many Environments
2022 – 2025
Project Overview
Objective
To transform Iowa’s community-based service system in line with the recommendations of Mathematica’s 2022 program evaluation. Goals for transformation include better aligning services with needs and maximizing access to services in community settings.
Project Motivation
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is redesigning its community-based services (CBS) to help Medicaid members find hope and opportunity in many environments. The goal is to ensure everyone has access to high-quality behavioral health, disability, and aging services in their communities.
Partners in Progress
- The Harkin Institute
- Martin Waymire
Prepared For
After evaluating Iowa’s CBS system and developing a transformation plan, Mathematica is helping Iowa HHS improve services for Iowans with behavioral health needs to stay in their homes and thrive in their communities.
In 2022, Iowa partnered with Mathematica to evaluate community-based behavioral health services to meet Iowans’ health, disability, and aging needs. We assessed the Medicaid waiver structure, the ways in which people access CBS through Medicaid and other programs, and factors that enable or impede transitions from institutions to community-based settings. We summarized our key findings and recommendations for Iowa HHS in an evaluation report: Recommendations for Strengthening Iowa’s Community-Based Services System.
Building on the results of this evaluation, Mathematica developed a transformation plan to support Iowa HHS in its systems change. The project resulting from this plan is now called Hope and Opportunity in Many Environments (HOME) and seeks to improve policies and processes in four domains: (1) system entry and service eligibility; (2) service packages, including 1915(c) home and community-based services waivers; (3) delivery systems and providers, including case management; and (4) data systems, quality monitoring, and administrative oversight.
Hope and Opportunity in Many Environments Timeline
Our work is informed by the needs and preferences of people who use and provide CBS. Mathematica has helped Iowa with extensive community engagement by conducting participatory research, facilitating an ongoing steering committee, and supporting roadshows. Explore our infographic to learn more about our progress.
Learn MoreEvidence & Insights From This Project
Publication
Recommendations for Strengthening Iowa’s Community-Based Services System
Underscoring Iowa’s commitment to serving its Medicaid members, HHS sought an in-depth review of available services and programs for members with long-term service and support needs.
Learn MoreRelated Staff
Amy Wodarek O’Reilly
Principal Managing Consultant; Co-Lead, Health Human-Centered Design Practice
View Bio Page
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