Money Follows the Person Partnership for Community Integration Project (MFP) is a collaboration between the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (IHHS) and the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD). MFP provides opportunities for Iowans to move out of Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/ID) into their own homes in the communities of their choice. Individuals living in Nursing Facilities, Psychiatric Mental Institutes for Children (PMIC), and inpatient hospital settings may also qualify. MFP grant funding, which comes through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), provides for transition services and enhanced supports needed for the first year after an individual moves into the community.
MFP Specialists
Under a contract with Iowa Medicaid, Transition Specialists from CDD are deployed throughout the state to provide transition planning services, community options awareness, training, and ongoing support and care coordination to individuals with disabilities, their families and facility-based and community-based providers. The Project Director provides oversight for the statewide project and coordinates the MFP grant-related activities.
In addition, CDD employs an Employment Specialist to address employment barriers faced by MFP participants, and a team of Behavioral Support Specialists to provide training and consultation to providers, individuals and families, who are assisting a person that may be experiencing challenging behaviors. Learn more at: Behavioral Support Services.
Helping people with disabilities make the transition from Qualifying Facilities to community living requires careful planning, coordination and communication. The Transition Planning Guide was developed based on the experience of supporting individuals' transitions through Money Follows the Person. The guide's checklists help identify and meet needs for making successful moves to community living. Checklist topics include housing, medical or physical conditions, and mental and behavioral health. Download the guide: Transition Planning Guide.
An MFP Transition Story
Chyna Jenkins is a young woman whose energy, charm, and determination lights up every room she enters. With the help of a Dynavox eye gaze communicator and an adapted pencil, she confidently expresses herself, shares her preferences, and connects with those around her. She previously lived at Hills and Dales in Dubuque, where she received excellent care and created many cherished memories. Recognizing her potential, Chyna’s dedicated team began exploring opportunities for her to transition into community living and connected Chyna with Iowa’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. Read Chyna Jenkins's story in the Possibilities in Education and Training newsletter.
Helping People Make Successful Transitions Since 2008
Iowa’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) program has been helping people make the transition from facilities to community living for nearly two decades. How does MFP measure its success? Most importantly, in the stories told by MFP participants, like Chyna Jenkins. But also by the numbers, summed up in this MFP issue brief, The Impact and Success of Money Follows the Person.
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services | MFP
Visit the Money Follows the Person page on the IHHS website for more information and relevant documents, including eligibility for MFP participation and the online referral form.
For more information, please contact: Lindsey Robertson Money Follows the Person Program Center for Disabilities and Development Phone: (515) 256-4637 Email: mfpcentral@hhs.iowa.gov