Physical Disabilities

How does North Dakota ensure that all individuals have access to a decent, safe, affordable, and accessible place to live? Navigate the attachments to learn more about their Housing Alliance program, a statewide organization of individuals and housing and client service professionals, working to identify and address unmet housing needs in the state. Attached is their website and other outreach materials.

As of September 2010, Benefits Enrollment Centers have submitted over 125,000 applications for a variety of public benefits including the Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), the Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly known as Food Stamps), the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, among others. To learn more about these efforts, outcomes, and lessons learned please see the attached report.

Find examples of outreach as well as strategic planning created by New Hampshire's MIG program, the Granite State Employment Project. Attached is an overview of the state's plan on operationalizing a statewide employment data system as well as two examples of outreach materials: an employment leadership nomination form for employers of individuals with disabilities and a newsletter. May be replicable by other states hoping to improve their MIG program outreach materials.

The AoA, CMS, and VA National Grantee Meeting was February 14-17, 2011. Use the attached links to find presentations from the 2011 sessions, available in PDF. Topics range from home and community-based services, evidence based care transition models, person-centered planning, aging and disability partnerships, and supporting caregivers. Full titles are available in the keywords section.

Serving as a single point of entry, the Project SEARCH program provides a comprehensive approach to employment, retention, and career advancement for individuals with disabilities transitioning from high school. Use the attachments to learn more about the program. Included are a time line for project tasks, an article, and a partnership agreement amongst organizations to commit resources.

Monadnock Developmental Services held an educational workshop for students to prepare them to transition into the workplace. Find a training brochure that includes important information on creating a resume and making a good first impression during a job interview as well as evaluation forms created for participating students and employers.

How is New Hampshire measuring consumer satisfaction with MIG employment and benefits training provided by ACRE? Attached find four examples of participant evaluation after having attended trainings on innovative employment strategies and the impacts of work on benefits. May be replicable by other states seeking to determine the effectiveness of MIG trainings.

In one stop, find numerous examples of how the state of Nevada provides outreach and information to its consumers with disabilities. The attached portfolio includes PowerPoint presentations, training materials, brochures, and advertisements that serve as helpful examples of how to successfully disseminate this important information.

Review this benefits planning calculator for individuals with disabilities who want to know what will happen to their income, benefits, and health coverage if they go to work as well as young people who want to find out how a job or staying in school can affect their cash benefits and health coverage. This may be a helpful template for states hoping to provide similar services for consumers.

This summary captures the results of a total of nine community forum events held to gather information on how employment services for people with disabilities in Michigan are perceived by individuals in three categories: consumers, agency professionals, and business leaders. The purpose of the community forums was to gather information on how employment services for people with disabilities are regarded. The information gathered may be helpful for states providing similar services.