# Presentation: 497756

**Understanding the Puzzle of Disability Services**

- And How Those Pieces Can Fit with Asset Development

## History

-    The disability system was created to provide services that alleviate the conditions of the majority.  Thus, the system is multi-focused and layered.
- 	The system was initially created to take care of people and has evolved to understand the importance of empowerment and individual control. All systems are not there yet.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## History

- 	Getting people out of poverty was not considered a condition to alleviate:
- In order to receive many disability services you must be at or below the poverty level (SSI, personal care assistance, waiver services).
- 	These conversations are just starting and the realization that  people with disabilities need support and strategies to leave poverty.
- 	There is a growing interest and desire to partner with the asset-building community, and all systems have limited capacity and resources.
- 	Both sides hold misconceptions about the others’ services.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## A Few Misconceptions

- People on Social Security cannot work.
- People with cognitive issues cannot save or manage their money.
-  To serve people with  disabilities requires special
-       expertise.
- Providing accommodations is expensive.

- IDAS are a way to fund items other services cannot
- It is an additional funding stream
- The IDA provider can take care of all financial issues for the person

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Social Security Administration

**FEDERAL- **Financial Services
**Social Security:**
- 	_Supplemental Security Income (SSI)_
- 	**SSI** was designed to help people with disabilities who have little or no income.
- 	It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Currently the full SSI amount is $632 for an individual. Resource limit is $2000 for an individual.
- 	_Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) _
- 	**SSDI** is a payroll tax-funded program. Being eligible for this program is dependent upon how many quarters you have worked. It is designed to provide income to people unable to work because of a disability.

- SSA

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Changing Expectations

- 	Ticket to Work Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) of 1999
- Designed to increase the number of people on SSI and SSDI who returned to work.
- It was the first time since the conception of the SSI/SSDI program that Social Security implemented comprehensive legislation that supported individuals with significant disabilities returning to work or obtaining work.
- 	Ticket to Works offers an array of work incentives to individuals to reduce their fear in working.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Medicare Infrastructure Grant (MIG)

- Section 203 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) of 1999 establishes a grant program to support State efforts to enhance employment options for people with disabilities. These grants are for eleven years and minimum grant award to an eligible state is $500,000 per fiscal year.
- The goal of the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant program is to support people with disabilities in securing and sustaining employment in an integrated setting.
- MIG removes systems’ barriers that prevent people with disabilities in obtaining employment such as initially establishing  buy-in programs in states.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## MIGs Could be a Good Partner

-  MIGs throughout the nation have become interested 		in how they can support individuals with disabilities in 	asset building.
-   MIGs are interested in figuring out how they can  					partner with their state’s asset-building network.
- 	 To learn if your state has a MIG grant and what its  			 	    	strategic plan is go to:
- _http://www.__cms__.__hhs__.__gov__/TWWIA/SR/list.asp?__listpage__=1_

- MIG

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Work Incentives Planning Assistance(WIPA)

- Social Security Administration (SSA) has contracted with local organizations in every state to have individuals who are experts on the rules of returning to work while on SSI or SSDI. These individuals are called Community Work Incentives Coordinators or CWICs.
- CWICs understand the impact of working on both SSA benefits and other benefits such as Veterans, Section 8 Housing, Earned Personal Care services, food stamps, etc.
- The CWICs provide counseling and guidance on how to use SSA and other programs’ work incentives. They help people think about how to use these programs to achieve their employment goals.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Community Work Incentives Coordinators

- CWIC can inform people about the Earned Income Tax Credit and how Individual Development Accounts and work incentives can be used together.
- They cannot help with SSA benefit problems that are not work related or help someone apply for benefits.
- To find a CWIC in your area:
-  _http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/ServiceProvider/WIPADirectory.html__ _

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## One Stop Centers

- The Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, offers a comprehensive range of workforce development activities through One Stop Centers statewide.
- Services benefit all job seekers, laid off workers, youth, incumbent workers, new entrants to the workforce, veterans, persons with disabilities, and employers.
- The purpose of One Stop Centers is to  increase employment, job retention, earnings, and occupational skills improvement by participants.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## One Stop Services

- Core Services are basic services such as labor market information, initial assessment of skill levels, and job search and placement assistance.
- Intensive Services are for unemployed individuals who, with core services, have not been able to obtain employment, or are employed individuals needing additional services to obtain or keep employment that will lead to personal self-sufficiency.** **** **

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## One Stop Services

- Training Services are available to eligible individuals who have met the requirements for intensive services and have not been able to obtain or keep employment.
- Individual Training Accounts are established to finance training based upon the individual's choice of selected training programs and labor market need.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Disability Navigator

- The SSA and the Department of Labor are jointly sponsoring Disability Program Navigators:
- To better inform individuals with disabilities about work support programs available at One-Stop Career Centers and how to navigate the different systems.
- To be a resource to staff in working with individuals with disabilities and in understanding the numerous disability programs.
- How to find your Navigator:  _http://www.__doleta__.__gov__/disability/new___dpn___grants.__cfm_

**Disability **
**Resource**

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## One Stops and IDAs

- Many one stop centers and Workforce Boards are familiar with asset building though TANF, asset-building coalitions, or fiscal literacy campaigns.
- In some parts of the country, they are starting to think of IDAs and asset building for individuals with disabilities. Disability Navigators are receiving training on asset development and IDAs.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Assistive Technology

- Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended:
- 	Every state has a State Assistive Technology Program. The 	program works to improve the provision of assistive 	technology to individuals with disabilities of all ages. It offers 	comprehensive statewide technology-related assistance.
**	**It provides** **devices and services such as the Device Loan 	Program, Device Reutilization Programs, Device 	Demonstration Programs, and State Financing Activities.
- 	_http://www.resna.org/taproject/at/stateprograms.html__ _

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Public Rehabilitation

- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, provides all states and U.S. territories Federal grants to operate a comprehensive vocational program for individuals with disabilities who want to obtain or maintain employment. They must have a disability and need vocational rehabilitation services.
- Public Rehabilitation can  provide a wide gamete of services that are needed to obtain and maintain employment such as vocational counseling and guidance, job placement assistance, self-employment assistance, college or vocational training, supported employment services, skills training, transportation, assistive and rehabilitation technology services, independent living services, etc.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Public Rehabilitation

- Each applicant has a rehabilitation counselor:
- determines their eligibility for the program;
- assists the applicant in establishing a individual plan for employment (IPE); and
- provides case coordination.
- The IPE is what drives services.
- Public Rehabilitation is one of the largest funders of disability services. They are in a strong position to support asset-development services.
- At least three states support IDAs with public rehabilitation dollars.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Public Rehabilitation

- If you have not established a relationship with your state public rehabilitation agency, you might want to.
- Meet with the Director of your state’s rehabilitation agency to figure out how to you can partner with them.
- To find your States Public Rehabilitation Offices:
-       _http://www.jan.wvu.edu/SBSES/VOCREHAB.HTM__ _

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## State Disability Systems

- State systems usually are Multiple Systems: they may fall under the authority of a mega state division such as the Division of Social and Health Services, but they are different systems with different rules.
- The adult and community service "system" is actually comprised of several different systems reporting to different levels of government and different Federal departments.
-  Each system has its own jargon, eligibility criteria, and methods    of providing services.*** ***
- Look for a case manager who understands the array of systems.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

**Mental Health**

-   Every state has Community Support Programs for Mental  Health Services.  They work with mental health consumers and their families to provide people with mental illness with treatment and assistance in meeting basic needs such as housing, jobs, education, social services, transportation, and medical and nursing care. They also provide case management.
-   Frequently case managers are knowledgeable about the services available in the local community. They can be a great resource.
-   Each state’s criteria for mental health service is different. Please go to:  _http://__mentalhealth__.__samhsa__.__gov__/databases/_

-      Mental
-        Health
-      Services

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## MR/DD

- Every State provides services to individuals who have a developmentally disability. A developmental disability is usually defined as: Mental Retardation;Cerebral Palsy; Epilepsy; and/or Autism and occurs before the age of 18.
- Services will vary depending on state funding but include:
- Residential
- Employment and Day programs
- Family support
- Case management

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Advocacy 

- The Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System and Client Assistance Program (CAP) comprise the nationwide network of congressionally mandated, legally-based disability rights agencies.
- P&A agencies have the authority to provide legal representation and other advocacy services, under all Federal and State laws, to all people with disabilities (based on a system of priorities for services).
- All P&As maintain a presence in facilities that care for people with disabilities, where they monitor, investigate and attempt to remedy adverse conditions.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Advocacy 

- P&A devote resources to ensuring full access to inclusive educational programs, financial entitlements, healthcare, accessible housing and productive employment opportunities.
- CAP agencies (many of which are housed within P&A offices) provide information and assistance to individuals seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) services under the Rehabilitation Act, including assistance in pursuing administrative, legal and other appropriate remedies.
- To contact the P&A in your state: _http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/states/pas.html__ _

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Centers for Independent Living

- Centers for Independent Living are: consumer controlled, community‐based, cross‐disability, and/or nonresidential private, nonprofit agencies.
- Centers are designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provide an array of services with a strong focus on peer counseling and self-advocacy.
- Centers for Independent Living could be a strong resource and partner with the asset-building community.
- _http://www.__ilru__.org/html/publications/directory/index.html_

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## AFI & 360 Projects

- Four AFI grantees have partnered with four 360o Projects to learn how to increase services to individuals with disabilities.
- 360o  Projects are one-stop support centers for families with children who have disabilities. 360o Projects help families in obtaining the supports and services they desire in order to enhance the health and well-being of their child. 360o Projects are funded through a grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Next Steps to Think About

-  **How will you establish partnerships with the disability ****	****community in your state?**
-  What partnerships do you already have that can assist 	you?
- What additional information and supports does your 	program need?
-  Many MIGs have done resource mapping of disabilities 	services in their respect states.  This information 	would be helpful to you.
-  There is a huge need for fiscal literacy information that 	includes SSA benefits and work incentive 	information.

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services

## Services & Supports That Can Help Put It All Together

**SSA**

**CILS**

**Public Rehab **

**Disability Navigators**

**CWICS**

-    **Assistive**
**   ****Technology**

**MR/DD**

**Protection & Advocacy**

**Mental Health**

**MIGs**

- Understanding the Puzzle of Disaiblity Services