RISP Receives $2 Million to Continue National Trend Analysis Research
Federal funding for ICI's Study of Medicaid Funded In-home and Residential Long-term Supports and Services for Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (RISP) was renewed with a five-year, $2 million grant from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, beginning September 1. RISP, which began in 1977, examines the status of, and longitudinal trends in, provision of institutional and home and community based long-term supports and services (LTSS) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It collects annual data from state IDD agencies about state and non-state operated services, residential setting types and sizes, Medicaid and other funding authorities, and recipient age. It describes state and national trends in where LTSS live; examines the impact of Medicaid and other federal policies on state systems; and informs research, legislation, litigation, and policy.
RISP's Director/Principal Investigator Sheryl A. Larson and her staff work collaboratively with the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Project Officer, a Project Advisory Committee, a Joint Data Collection Work Group (JWG), and national dissemination partners to plan and coordinate activities and special studies, and to disseminate and evaluate products. JWG products include a joint codebook and annual report, webinars, conference presentations, and other products.
"RISP provides information through which families and self-advocates can track changes and expansion of supports available in their state system," says Mary Lou Bourne of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, which, like the Human Services Research Institute, is a partner on the project. "RISP makes analysis of data possible through its robust set of data elements, which allow for more in-depth view of a state's developmental disability programs," adds Bourne.
Project findings are translated into specific formats for unique audiences. Products include an annual technical report, state profiles, infographics, an online chart builder, journal articles, a project website, conference and webinar presentations, and customized products for social media and specific target audiences. A robust technical assistance program provides customized data to federal and state agencies, researchers, advocacy organizations, providers, media, and other audiences.