Putting Community First

"Community First" represents the Commonwealth's commitment to empower and support individuals with disabilities and elders to live with dignity and independence in the community. There are several reasons for putting community first. Most individuals with long-term care needs prefer to remain in the community rather than receive care in a nursing facility or other institutional setting. In addition, in many instances, community-based care can be provided more cost-effectively than care in a nursing facility or institution.

The Commonwealth's dedication to community-based supports is embodied in the Community First Olmstead Plan, a strategy and action plan for ensuring that people with disabilities and elders, who collectively make up more than 20 percent of the Massachusetts population, have access to community-living opportunities that address each individual's diverse needs, abilities, and backgrounds. Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) agencies collaborate to support the Community First policy agenda and the Olmstead Plan by expanding, strengthening, and integrating community-based long-term supports.

Focus Areas

We work to expand, strengthen, and integrate systems of community-based long-term supports that are person-centered, high in quality, and provide optimal choice.

We strive to empower and support people with disabilities and elders to live with dignity and independence in the community by enabling transitions from institutions to the individual's community setting of choice.