Background: Connect-Ability

Funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Connecticut’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, known as “Connect-Ability,” is designed to support the competitive employment of people with disabilities. The grant was awarded to the Connect to Work Center at the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), Department of Social Services, and is intended to facilitate enhancements to the state Medicaid program and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports for people with disabilities.

Beginning in January 2006, BRS contracted with the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) to conduct a statewide needs assessment to guide the year-long strategic planning process. The resulting strategic plan focused on five broad areas: youth in transition; stakeholder education; recruitment, employment, and retention; transportation; and technical assistance.

CMS approved Connecticut’s strategic plan, and in February 2007, the state received permission to implement state-wide infrastructure changes to promote the hiring of people with disabilities. In an effort to capture the voice of the consumer, and also provide evidence that services and programs are effective, CMS has encouraged states to gather information that will influence future funding, programs and policies.

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