ASHEVILLE, NC – Vaya is pleased to mark the one-year anniversary of its Money Follows the Person (MFP) Transition Coordination program, a statewide initiative launched in collaboration with the NC Department of Health and Human Services on Sept. 18, 2024, and designed to help individuals transition safely from Skilled Nursing Facilities back into the community.
Since launch, Vaya’s MFP program has made a meaningful impact on the lives of North Carolinians:
- 578 participants served in year one, including 268 new connections
- 50 successful transitions in the year that began Sept. 18, 2024, Vaya’s first day administering the program
- 390 MFP educational outreach events held across all 100 North Carolina counties
The MFP program links participants and their caregivers to Medicaid-funded, in-home services such as the Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Together, these services provide critical support to help individuals who have been living in a nursing facility transition to live safely and independently at home.
“Every time someone is able to leave a nursing facility and return home, it’s a powerful reminder of why we do this work,” said Tracy Hayes, Area Director and CEO of Vaya Health. “The Money Follows the Person program is about more than services—it’s about restoring dignity, independence, community connection, and hope. I’m proud of the difference our team has made in helping neighbors across North Carolina come home.”
MFP “transitions” go beyond simply moving back home—they include personalized supports and services needed to live safely, comfortably, and independently. This includes connections to in-home services through CAP/DA programs, which provide personal care, assistance with daily activities, and caregiver support, as well as PACE services, which offer comprehensive medical care, therapy, and care coordination for older adults.
Of the 50 successful transitions, 33 participants have been connected to CAP/DA, while 17 have accessed PACE services. These numbers emphasize the program’s ongoing commitment to helping North Carolinians return home with the support they need.
To ensure smooth transitions, Vaya has:
- Provided consultations from registered nurses and occupational therapists pre- and post-transition
- Linked participants to affordable housing options through NCDHHS Targeting Units and HUD Housing Choice Vouchers
- Distributed transition funding for home setup, modifications, rental and utility assistance, food, household items, and clothing
Help for North Carolinians
If you or someone you know is living in or has been referred to a skilled nursing facility and wants to return home equipped with the support and services they need to thrive, Vaya’s MFP program may be able to help. Vaya’s statewide team will explain program eligibility and connect participants to essential resources.
For more information, email mfp@vayahealth.com or visit Money Follows the Person | Vaya Health.
About Vaya Health
Vaya Health is a specialty managed care organization and local government agency that oversees publicly funded health care services across a 32-county region of North Carolina for people with significant behavioral health needs, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. Vaya manages Medicaid, federal, state, and local funding to meet member and community needs while advancing whole-person health. Together with members, contracted providers, and local partners, we’re moving forward to a healthier North Carolina. Vaya Health can be found online at vayahealth.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/VayaHealth/, on X (formerly known as Twitter) @VayaHealth, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/vaya-health.
