Massachusetts Community Living Initiative Marks One Year

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration celebrated the successful first year of the Massachusetts Community Living Initiative, a coordinated effort to help older adults and people with disabilities live independently with dignity, agency, and the support they need in their communities.

During an event at the State House, administration leaders, advocates, and legislators marked the milestone and released the initiative’s first annual report, highlighting significant progress made during its inaugural year. The Community Living Initiative brings together agencies across the administration to expand access to home- and community-based services, strengthen coordination across state government, and help more individuals transition from nursing facilities to homes and other community settings.

“Every person deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, independence and agency in the community they call home,” Gov. Maura Healey said. “That’s exactly what the Community Living Initiative is about. By working across state government and alongside advocates, providers, and families, we’re helping more older adults and people with disabilities access the support they need to live where they want to live. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in just one year, and we’re committed to building on it.”

The first Community Living Initiative Annual Report highlights the progress made during the Initiative’s first year, including expanded cross-agency efforts to ensure individuals living in nursing facilities understand their rights and available community-based options, significant progress toward the administration’s goal of helping at least 2,400 people with disabilities transition from nursing facilities to community settings over the next eight years, and personal stories from individuals who have successfully transitioned from nursing facilities into homes and community-based settings with the support they need to thrive.

“Today we celebrate hundreds of individuals transitioning out of nursing facilities into their homes or community settings, providing them with more independence and support in an affordable and accessible way,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Kiame Mahaniah said. “This has taken an enormous effort across state government, and I appreciate the dedication and collaboration between agencies, legislators, and the advocate community for improving the lives of so many residents.”

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