A New Look for the New Year
Happy New Year! We hope that you enjoy our newsletter's new look and that you find the information provided in each edition helpful and informative. Our new look reflects the recent branding changes by UNMC. We have also updated our informational links on the sidebar. We would love to hear your ideas for news stories and information you would like to see featured. There is a link on the blue sidebar, "Rate this Newsletter" which allows you to do so. We also would ask for your assistance in helping our newsletter's subscription base increase. If you have not already subscribed, click on the "Join our Mailing List" tab on the right and forward this edition to your friends and family and ask them to join as well. We hope that we can count on you to assist us in making this a valuable resource to the many individuals with disabilities, their families and the professionals that help support them in achieving independence and the services and supports they need. Wishing you a great 2015!
|
Employment for People with Disabilities
UNMC recently became an pre-employment site location for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn work skills. Using a nationally-recognized employment model called, "Project Search" students who are receiving services at the Madonna School complete several work experiences at UNMC. The project is a collaboration between the Munroe-Meyer Institute, Vocational Rehabilitation, the Madonna School, Vodec, and Sodexo (UNMC's food vendor). MMI is currently working to identify other locations within the University system that could offer similar employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Another Project Search location was recently highlighted in the Omaha World Herald. The LaVista site has had a 94% employment rate compared to a 68% rate in the national model. Click on the photo below to access the Omaha World Herald article and/or watch a quick video about the project.
| David Scott, sales director at Embassy Suites in LaVista, seen above with 2 Project Search participants, is a champion of the model. (Source: Omaha World Herald Nov. 2014) |
|
| Kathy McMorris Rodgers, House of Representatives on The ABLE Act |
Achieving a Better Life Act (ABLE) Passes
For years people with disabilities have been forced to live in poverty simply to keep their needed benefits like Social Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. Historically, individuals could not have more than $2000 in assets. Going forward, individuals can set aside income in tax-deferred savings accounts similar to health savings accounts or 529 college accounts. The ABLE Act allows individuals to accumulate savings which can be used for medical and other disability-related expenses. Some people think that the law should have gone further as it only covers individuals who acquired their disability prior to the age of 26, but others feel it is a step-in-the-right direction. Stay tuned for more information on this.
|
Employment Changes Under New Federal Law
Earlier this year, the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) was overwhelming passed by both the House and Senate with bi-partisan support and signed into law by President Obama. The Act improves job training opportunities for all people, but has a specific focus on improving the employment rates for people with disabilities.
Some Changes Under WIOA:
- Cooperative agreements must be established between Vocational Rehabilitation, state Medicaid agencies, Intellectual and Developmental Disability agencies and Mental Health Agencies.
- 15% of Vocational Rehabilitation funds will be allocated to help youth with disabilities transition from high school.
- A series of steps must be taken before any individual under the age of 24 can be placed in a job paying less than minimum wage.
- Schools may not contract with sheltered workshop providers for transition services
|
For more information:
|
Down Syndrome and College
| Ezra Roy with his Father |
There are many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are successfully graduating from Colleges. Learn about Ezra's story here.
|
Nebraska's Transition Plan for Home & Community Based Services (HCBS)
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has issued a rule changing the definition of 'home and community based' for all Medicaid waiver services. In order to comply, states have to evaluate if current settings meet the new, more rigorous definition and if not, take steps to meet the new requirements. Every state needs to submit a transition plan to CMS and take public comments on that plan. Public comments then need to be incorporated into the state's transition plan submitted to CMS. Upon CMS' approval, a formal implementation plan will be developed by the state. Information regarding CMS' new rule, Nebraska's transition plan and response to public comments are below.
|
For Help Navigating Systems and Information:
|