Active Projects
This section represents the projects I am currently working on, either in concept or as a consultant
Right Next Door Project
Project Summary
January 2009
Introduction: The Right Next Door Project is an on-line application process for entitlement and charity assistance available to all those in the State of Nevada. One application is completed for each person, with the software testing the fit of the applicant for a number of programs such as Medicaid, SHIP, Medical Assistance for Aged Blind and Disabled, County Social Services, The Food Bank, and other assistance programs.
The specific benefits of the Right Next Door Project are:
· Improved efficiency of staff aiding patients in finding assistance
· Improved likelihood of finding the right program for the right person
· Integration with electronic application development for the State Entitlement Programs
· Consolidation of information about applicants
· Improved coordination amongst programs attempting to aid those in need
Program Name: For many years there has been a hope for a “no wrong door” approach to services provision. This term has become so pervasive so quickly and persistently that it clearly reflects a core value of the professionals and leaders involved in the helping industry. Choosing a name such as “The no wrong door” program for Nevada would require the use of two negatives in the title. In addition the term is so frequently used, and comes with so many inherent attributes that the program would be challenged with establishing an understanding of the real value.
The no wrong door concept has been based on the idea that a person can arrive at one company or institution in pursuit of help, and perhaps receive help or not but before leaving could receive services from other programs that will also be able to contribute. In this way, essentially all services would be available through all institutions. The difficulty is that no one program will ever be able to manifest all assistance competently. The next best thing is therefore to know what the institution right next door offers and be able to more seamlessly make the referral. In this case the “service is right next door” figuratively. There4 is no intention to address the actual location of the various service providers implied by the name, but instead to create ease of use of the system to make it seem as though the help is Right Next Door.
State of Nevada Entitlement Programs: The State of Nevada is pursuing a statutorily required electronic application for the Medicaid, SCHIP, and MAABD entitlement programs with a short time frame (early 2010) as the date for activation. The long term goal is to expand the effort to include all State funded assistance programs, but is currently funded only for the three programs noted above. Conversations to date (January 2010) indicates that the project is on time, and that there is an interest in cooperation with a broader community resource as long as there is no alteration of the roll out schedule.
Potential Partners: There are two basic levels of partners in this effort; those required to make the program come to life and survive or Foundational Supporters, and those that are service providers and able to contribute to the provision of services, referred to here as Service Providers. These are not mutually exclusive, and as will be clear, are inclusive in many cases and so are considered as both Founding Partners and Service Partners.
Founding Partners
Founding Contributor: The Lincy Foundation has been approached and has been encouraging of the concept. The anticipated costs, and completed proposal is the body of the remainder of this document.
Administrative Home: The administrative home is a critically important partner which will assure continuity of the effort over the years, assure the evolution of the service as technology evolves, and be a key touch stone for the non-profit and governmental agencies. In addition the data stream created will be of pointed interest and be made routinely available through an accepted portal. Additionally the administrative home must be a fundable entity, such that supporting partners are able to commit ongoing support whether of governmental, foundation or for profit contributions to the effort. The selection of the administrative home is therefore intentionally not selected at this juncture, since there are still multiple partners to be considered, and the ideal home yet to be selected for the ideal fit.
Ongoing Contributor: The ongoing costs associated must be supported by dollars that are required to assure consistent updates to the applications being considered in the automated application process. The estimated costs are noted in more detail in the sections that follow. It is important for strong and consistent performance that these dollars be tied to the deeper meaning of the sponsoring/supportive program; that there is an inherent benefit to the benefactor in the ongoing high performance of the effort. Considerations for this might be systems that have a statutory mandate to facilitate the application process, such as State or federally sponsored entitlement programs that must also have an electronic application.
More likely, there will be a combined set of interested parties that will want to invest in the ongoing effort that are interested in the information gathered, the support of service providers, and the support of service providers required to maintain an electronic application.
Service Partners
Service Providers: This list is not intended to be all inclusive, but is offered here in two categories, those who have stated a commitment and those that are yet to declare a commitment. The lists will be evolving as more is learned of our service providers throughout the State. The level of participation and cooperation amongst the community based service providers will be improved by approaching benevolent supporters and asking that future funding be tied to the service provider’s using the program.