Grantee produced

One of two mini-projects aimed at engaging Medicaid-eligible consumers in an experiment with options of self-direction, the purpose of Community Access was to test creative methods that increase the opportunity of children and adults with disabilities to exercise self-determination. The project met the three objectives of supporting at least 12 individuals, develop a community advisor model to identify core competencies, and to identify barriers to full responses for requested services.

This policy development paper was written as part of the C-PASS demonstration project. The paper offers an overview and definition of self-determination plus three overall recommendations that are critical to making self-direction a reality. The challenge of moving self-direction from a relatively small scale to the foundation upon which all services to people with disabilities and older persons are built remains but the MASS-CPASS initiative, along with others, will help create that path.

The South Dakota MIG grantees have developed this short overview of Employer Resource Networks (ERNs). The presentation is shown to prospective ERN groups and answers questions about how an ERN can address labor issues in the community and create partnerships.

The Virginia MIG grantees have developed this resource guide for transition practitioners. The manual explains Benefits Counseling and how it serves as a valuable resource for students, parents/guardians, and families to get help in optimizing needed benefits and begin planning toward a future that includes employment, earnings, self-sufficiency, and SSA benefits, if needed.

The West Virginia Medicaid Infrastructure (MIG) is transitioning to Comprehensive Employment Strategies (CES) Grant. The CES grant has 3 major goals: Maximizing employment for people with disabilities, Increasing the state’s labor force through the inclusion of people with disabilities, Protecting and enhancing workers’ healthcare, other benefits and needed supports. Review the presentation and overview of their strategic plan including a comprehensive workforce infrastructure.

The purpose of this manual is to provide an overview of information and referral sources available to the Employment Liaison, individuals with disabilities, and student services staff at post-secondary schools. Resources in the manual reference both National resources and those specific to job seekers in Wisconsin.

These position papers completed by a work group result from the Real Choice Consumer Work Group's determination to improve the lives of people with disabilities in West Virginia and to contribute to their own recommendations and strategies on major issues. This compilation of papers address: Waiting Lists; Strengthening Personal Assistance Programs in West Virginia; and Expanding the Horizons of Employement Options for West Virginians with Disabilities.

This statewide community-based participatory action research study was conducted to identify opportunities and barriers for persons with disabilities in obtaining accessible, affordable housing in West Virginia. Using surveys and a facilitated group technique, persons with disabilities identified existing barriers and developed a set of questions for housing industry professionals. This article was published in \"Housing and Society\" the journal of the Housing Education and Research Association.

This unique and innovative handbook is a guide for educators, providers, support people and/or family members to use as they work closely with youth and adults with significant disabilities, mentoring them as they develop and practice self-advocacy skills that will promote the highest level of independence and success in life activities.

This curriculum to train personal assistants has two elements: a competency or skill development component and a didactic or knowledge development component. The skill development components include Connecting, Coaching, Collaboration, and Managing Crises. The knowledge development component is a web-bases curriculum entitled Personal Assistance Services for Individuals with Serious Psychiatric Disabilities.