South Dakota's Medicaid Infrastructure Grant is entitled, "Freedom to Work Project." It is a federally funded systems change grant, and it's main purpose is to make improvements to the State's Medicaid system that will encourage people with disabilities to return to or enter employment and provide them with supports they might need to do so.
 
A few of the major accomplishments of the project thus far are:

• Personal Assistance Services under the Medicaid State Plan are now available both in the home and at the work place.


• The Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities program (a category of Medicaid for workers with disabilities) is now available in SD.


• Over 2,100 people - individuals with disabilities, family members, providers and others - have received training on employment and benefits.


• Employer Resource Networks and Career Development Teams are in operation or being developed in several communities statewide.


• A "Tips Newsletter" is circulated three to four times a year to people with disabilities and others (approximately 1,700 people), providing them with information on available work incentives and success stories of South Dakotans who have reached their career goals through the benefit of available employment supports.


• Employers have received training on diversity in the workplace and the value that diversity brings to their businesses and their communities.

 
This portion of the site provides you with some of the "nuts and bolts" of the project - staff listing, Leadership Council membership and minutes and a "Frequently Asked Questions" section.
 
Once again, if upon review of the information you have comments or questions, please contact one of our staff.