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SSEPAC Events

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Seminars on Residential Settings by JF&CS

PRESENTERS:

Michael Weiner and Betsy Closs
(Director of Services for People with Disabilities for JF&CS)

LOCATION:

Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton St., Newton, MA

TIME: 7 - 9 PM

MEETING DATES: Always on Wednesdays, as follows:

For the most part, the families have children who are between 14-22 in age, but all are welcome.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to . The presenters will need to plan for handouts and a room of appropriate size.

The Housing Group for Special Needs, in alliance with Jewish Family & Children's Service (JF&CS), are planning to conduct monthly workshops designed to provide the opportunity to learn about the issues, and programs, families may want to consider when creating successful, and affordable, residential settings for our children with disabilities.

These workshops will be most helpful to those families who have children who cannot be gainfully employed, and are not likely to receive full residential support from the DDS (Dept of Developmental Services; formerly the DMR). It is our goal to provide families with the current reality of what subsidies may exist, how we access them, and how we can create short and long term strategies to create affordable opportunities for our children and simultaneously provide them the chance for continued independence.

This group was started by parents who wanted to not only acquire this information for their own personal circumstances, but to share our experiences and help each other through this process. It is our sincere hope that in addition to the opportunity for families to gain an intimate knowledge of the adult services world, that families will have the chance to meet with others who have similar goals and to ultimately form alliances with each other to create fulfilling future's for our children.

We have learned that in order to navigate the complexities of the adult services world, it is necessary to devote adequate time for each subject matter. This is the reason for the nine workshops.

Below is a brief overview of the subjects we will address. We will provide advance notice of what we intend to discuss prior to each meeting date. The first meeting, 9/23/09, will be concerning DDS. Our guest speaker will be Ms. Mary Barry, Area Director for the Newton/South Norfolk office of DDS. Mary will offer a frank assessment of the current landscape, so we can assess what programs may, or may not, be available to us.

Again, if you would like to attend, please RSVP to . The presenters will need to plan for handouts and a room of appropriate size.

HUGS for Homes: The Housing Group for Special Needs In coordination with Jewish Family & Children's Services

1) DDS (DEPT. OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES - FORMERLY DMR):

a) Chapter 688 referral b) MassCap assessment & eligibility requirements c) Current reality of budget d) Types of services, how to negotiate benefits, and what we can expect from our local offices e) ISO (Intermediary Service Organization): What is an ISO, and how to coordinate DDS benefits with them.

2) SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS:

a) Eligibility requirements for SSI and SSDI. How to prepare for interview. b) How are benefits determined? Understanding how living arrangements affect benefits, and how we can maximize our benefits. c) Understanding how earned income, unearned income, and deeming can reduce the maximum benefits d) PASS program (to be discussed in more detail in vocational workshop). e) What to do if you get denied.

3) MEDICAID BENEFITS:

a) Mass Health - how to apply/what plan to choose. Importance of becoming eligible for Mass Health (gateway to other benefits). b) Adult Foster Care and Group Adult Foster Care c) PCA's (personal care attendants) d) Premium assistance, fuel assistance, food stamps.

4) HOUSING SUBSIDIES

a) Section 8 program: How to apply for voucher. What are eligibility requirements? What is difference between portable and project based voucher? How does HUD determine market rate and the ultimate cost to the resident. b) Public Housing and our local Housing Authorities. c) 40b set asides d) Strategies to manage waiting lists and wait times. What are preferences? e) How to manage re-certification process.

5) PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL RESIDENTIAL TRANSITION:

a) What should we be doing while our children are still in their academic programs to prepare for this transition? What skills will our children need to possess? How do we, as parents, prepare ourselves for this transition? b) Choosing a service provider. What is a service provider and exactly what do they do? How to contract for services and the costs associated with them. What to consider when selecting a service provider.

6) VOCATIONAL PLANNING:

a) Strategies to have our children participate in daily activities and responsibilities which will provide a rich and fulfilling life. Creating a daily schedule so our children are engaged. Why this is a key element to an affordable, and successful residential transition. b) Jobs - What can Mass Rehab provide to assist us? What is a job coach? The reality of the work world. Organizations that can help us. c) Volunteering d) Day Programs e) Transportation f) PASS program g) IWRE (Individual Work Related Expenses)

7) FINANCIAL & LEGAL PLANNING:

a) The importance of a financial plan, and what to consider when creating such a plan. How do we pay for all of this? b) Special Needs Trusts c) Guardianship

8) HEALTH CARE COORDINATION:

a) Strategies and available resources to address our kids' medical needs (particularly those kids with diabetes). b) How we migrate from our pediatricians to an adult primary care giver. c) Nutrition and how we can help our children live healthy lives.