A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Managed Long-Term Supports and Services

Many people with disabilities rely on long-term supports and services (LTSS)—like job coaches, transportation help, and in-home helpers—to live independently. Managed care is one of the ways that states can run their LTSS programs. When it’s done right, managed LTSS can help people move out of institutions and get better support in the community. But when it’s done wrong, people who rely on these supports and services will be negatively affected. Many more states are starting to make plans to switch to managed LTSS programs—and we can help make sure those programs work for us! 

Our newest toolkit, A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Managed Long-Term Supports and Services is an easy-to-understand guide to what managed LTSS is and how you can make sure your state’s MLTSS program is designed with LTSS users in mind.

This toolkit will explain:

  • What managed care is
  • What managed long-term services and supports are
  • What are some good things about MLTSS
  • What are some things to look out for about MLTSS
  • How states can make MLTSS plans that work for us
  • How we can make sure that states make good managed care programs

The MLTSS toolkit is available in two versions:

  • Our Easy Read Edition. The Easy Read version is split into 4 parts. Each part has its own Words to Know section, and there is also a separate Words to Know part with all of the terms from every section. The Easy Read version uses pictures along with larger text, and has more white space.
  • A Plain Language Version for either those with vision-related disabilities or those who would prefer a version without accompanying graphics.
Easy Read Edition

The Easy Read Edition is split into parts. Each part has its own Words to Know section, and there is also a separate Words to Know part with all of the terms from every section. Click on the title of any of the parts below to download it:

You can also download the entire Easy Read Edition of the toolkit by clicking here.

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This toolkit made possible by the generous support of Anthem and WITH.

Special thanks to our toolkit editors:
Brandy Rios
Mary Coldwater
Jomel Crayton
Marcia Wilmot
Kennis Price
Pat Carnal
Kelly McCarthy
JoAshley Walker
Vanessa Simmons
Yolanda Bradford