Latest news with #DevelopmentalDisabilitiesAwarenessMonth
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
End is near, Pillen says, for persistent ‘wait list' for Nebraskans with developmental disabilities
Blake Hodgen, a participant at Madonna Ability Alliance, caps the lineup of speakers during an event Monday that closed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Gov. Jim Pillen during a talk after a tour, said a goal he announced last March is nearly accomplished — eliminating the state's wait list for services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) OMAHA — Gov. Jim Pillen said Monday that, by July, his administration expects to have accomplished a goal it announced a year ago: elimination of a long-running 'wait list' for Nebraskans seeking services for intellectual and developmental disabilities. Last March, the list contained about 2,700 people, and a projected wait for available funds stretched for up to eight years. The governor said the number has been whittled to about 700. 'This is the first time in the last 35 years that this wait list is going to be eliminated,' Steve Corsi, chief executive officer of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said at a press conference in Omaha that also closed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Pillen, Corsi and Tony Green, director of the DHHS Division of Developmental Disabilities, updated progress on cutting the wait, the public cost and what they've described as the state's reimagining of how services are offered to Nebraskans with developmental disabilities. After a tour of the recently opened new headquarters for Madonna Ability Alliance, which helps support Nebraskans with disabilities, state officials answered questions from reporters and mingled with Madonna families and participants filling the lobby of the building near 72nd and Pine Streets in Omaha. Among the lineup of speakers was Blake Hodgen, a Madonna participant who stole the show by relaying his educational, music therapy and job-training experiences since second grade at Madonna, which he and others said helped prepare him for his long-time catering job with the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Pillen told the group he took aim at shortening the list, known also as the Developmental Disabilities Registry, because it didn't make sense. 'You break the glass if that's what you have to do,' Pillen said. 'But when the most vulnerable Nebraskans' needs weren't being met for eight years, (it) popped my top off.' Eliminating the wait list, Pillen said, requires a roughly $40 million annual investment, with the state footing about $19 million each year and federal funds covering the rest. He foresees Nebraska becoming a model for other states with long waits to access developmental disabilities services — though advocates say they see some flaws, and they are still evaluating the full impact of changes. At one time, Green said, the Nebraska registry listed 4,500 names. Clearing the wait, he said, means that all the families will have been offered at least some specialized support through a Medicaid waiver program that lets states to tap federal funding for accessing home- and community-based services intended to keep people out of institutions. Key to the list shrinkage, said Green, is a new approach that 'meets families where they're at' — providing for a more immediate and targeted service, such as funding for child or respite care or vehicle modification. Family advocates have said a family support waiver was created, for instance, as an intermediary solution that provides up to $10,000 a year for such services. In the old system, Green said a family would put their name on the registry and wait as long as eight years to get what is known as a 'comprehensive' developmental waiver — which is more costly but provides access to a wider array of services, including full-time residential services outside the home, particularly for adults. Green said not all families require such a gamut, and state officials believe that the overall needs of the population are better met by providing more narrow services closer to when a family needs them. Also new and crucial, he and advocates said, is that the state now allows youths with disabilities access to medical care through Medicaid — even if their household income is beyond typical Medicaid limits. Said Green: 'What we're working on now is a system that says, 'What's your need that's being unmet?' And we'll figure out which waiver has the right service and supports for you. I would say it's a continuum of care … It will be individualized to the family and child.' Edison McDonald is executive director of The Arc of Nebraska, the state's largest membership organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. He said the state's new approach takes positive steps, including the Medicaid expansion that helps ensure that kids with developmental disabilities get access to health care. However, he cited drawbacks. For example, he said, the often lengthy wait used to be a pathway to guaranteed access to comprehensive services including the out-of-home residential services. That is no longer the case, McDonald said. 'They call it innovation when really it is barring a lot of people from that access to residential services. In some cases, it misses the mark and can potentially be harmful,' he said. McDonald said the comprehensive service option is still available, but for adults with the highest needs such as being homeless or being a danger to themself. He said advocates are still trying to grasp the breadth of the impact the changes will bring. In some cases, it misses the mark and can be potentially harmful. – Edison McDonald, The Arc of Nebraska McDonald said what advocates thought was an 'intermediary' solution — the family support waiver offering up to $10,000 of services annually — appears possibly to be more of a 'destination.' He also said the state's system includes what advocates view as an outdated rate schedule for service providers. Alana Schriver, executive director of Nebraska Association of Service Providers, applauded the Pillen administration's commitment overall. But she worries about the state rates allowed for service providers. Without better wages for more workers, she said, 'this whole conversation is moot.' 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Yahoo
17-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
From dances to defending rights, Mon-Arc of Monroe assists people with special needs
MONROE — This Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Mon-Arc of Monroe wants people to know 'We're Here All Year.' That's the national slogan for March 2025's awareness campaign. Monroe's program is one of 700 national Arc organizations. 'We want to share that people with developmental disabilities are working, going to school, volunteering and participating in their community, just like all of us,' said the campaign's 1962, Mon-Arc of Monroe, Inc. at 6021 Parkside Drive has served local people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by teaching them life skills, advocating for them and offering them social activities, like the popular monthly dances. 'We continue the goals of our founding members, to empower intellectually/developmentally disabled people to live their lives to the fullest by creating unique opportunities for individuals to work, build friendships, engage actively and feel a sense of belonging to a vibrant community,' said Michelle Parrish, Mon-Arc of Monroe's executive director. Local clients learn about Mon-Arc on their own or are referred by group homes or area organizations, like United Way, Michigan Alliance for Families and the Department of Health and Human Services. 'Individuals reach out to us at any time; it's unpredictable. Usually, they experience difficulty or anticipate future needs, and guidance is essential to overcome an expected barrier to success," Parrish said. All of Mon-Arc's services are provided free. Its four staff members work part-time. Another 175 volunteers provide 3,360 hours of service, Parrish said. Funding comes from grants, donations, Mon-Arc memberships and fundraisers, like a Detroit Tigers raffle. A membership drive is set for June. Social activities for people with special needs include crafts, ice cream socials and the very popular dances. Held from 6:30-8 p.m. monthly, except for July, most of the dances are at Monroe County Community College. The next dance is April 11. Mon-arc's first dance was in 1995. 'We have grown to have 130-plus participants at dances, with the October dance being our most attended, with over 200-plus attendees,' Parrish said. 'They started in churches, then moved to the Monroe County Intermediate School District gym, then Monroe Middle School. Our partnership with MCCC makes a difference, because we use the exact location each month. The Knights of Columbus donates its hall for our December dance.' An outdoor ice cream social is planned for June at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Ida. Mon-Arc is a voice for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Advocacy is one of its biggest tasks. In July, a Monroe County parent told Mon-Arc, 'The Mon-Arc of Monroe successfully advocated for our daughter and her roommate by providing recommendations for navigating her complexities for another licensed residential care provider and remaining in the home they had been living in for the past eight years." Mon-Arc teaches adults tasks, like budgeting, bill paying and spending. 'We are continually conferencing with our consumers on budgeting. We also must keep in good communication, working collaboratively with the Social Security Administration about events that could change the amount of benefits or affect their right to receive them," Parrish said. Mon-Arc connects clients with other Monroe County social service agencies. 'We have assisted with other needs, such as completing forms for Section 8 paperwork, DHHS, Social Security and MiAble, and writing letters on their behalf," Parrish said. Mon-Arc educates the public to respect, accept and include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as equal members of society. Mon-Arc is working with the new Unity Club, a club led by people with special needs and their mentors. Exchange Club of Monroe is the sponsor. 'Mon-Arc is collaborating with the breakout committee to create marketing materials and promotions to attract members,' Parrish said. 'The charter meeting is scheduled for April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Monroe Community Credit Union's community room, 715 N. Telegraph Road in Monroe." Mon-Arc has scheduled two parent information nights: "Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy" will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. April 9 in the Professional Development Center at the Monroe County Intermediate School District, 1101 S. Raisinville Road. Support local news: Subscribe for all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content. "Transition Fair" is set for 5:30-7 p.m. April 10 at the same ISD location. Attendees will learn about community resources and organizations that support the special needs community. Parrish joined Mon-Arc in 2018 and became executive director in 2024. 'I'm very proud to be a part of this long-standing organization that supports the special needs community," she said. "Mon-Arc's strong emphasis on positive cultural aspects, such as teamwork and sustainability, which promote the welfare of individuals with disabilities and their families, truly resonated with me." — Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Learn what Mon-Arc of Monroe offers to local special needs community
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
URS to host art walk on Friday
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – United Rehabilitation Services (URS) to host an art walk to celebrate the talent of people living with disabilities. In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the walk will take place on Friday, March 14 at URS, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The collection of inspired art was created by both kids and adults at URS. Distinguished guests include many local legislators such as Montgomery County Commissioner Judy Dodge, Representative Phil Plummer, Representative Andrea White, Mayor Jeffrey Mims, City of Riverside Council Member Sara Lommatzsch and City of Riverside Council Member Brenda Fry are all expected to attend. The event will start with a breakfast at 9:15 a.m. It will be followed by a guided tour of the exhibits and will finish with a performance by the children of URS. URS aims to empower its clients to share their voices and unique perspectives. To learn more about URS visit here or call (937) 233-1230. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spectrum of Solutions, EZ Rider partner for driver training
Mar. 11—MIDLAND — Spectrum of Solutions is partnering with EZ Rider to provide training for drivers who assist riders with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). This training program is designed to provide EZ Rider staff with the skills and knowledge to better support these riders by addressing key topics like IDD behaviors and how not all IDD looks the same. Since 1987, March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and Spectrum of Solutions is committed to raising awareness through training programs that promote education and advocacy. By partnering with EZ Rider, they can help ensure that individuals with IDD have equal opportunities to thrive and lead meaningful lives, a news release said. As part of this initiative, Spectrum of Solutions will deliver expert-led training sessions to EZ Rider's drivers at the following location and dates: — Location: EZ Rider, 10308 Younger Road, Midland, TX 79706 — March 12: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. (45 minutes each) — March 13: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. (45 minutes each) — March 14: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. (45 minutes each) The goal is to ensure that all staff are equipped to handle sensitive situations with care, compassion, and professionalism while safeguarding the well-being of riders. This partnership represents a crucial step forward in enhancing the quality of services for individuals with IDD, promoting inclusion and understanding, and ensuring a safe environment for everyone involved, the release said.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Local agency supports developmental disability programs
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — The month of March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and Thursday, the Mahoning County Commissioners heard from one of the many clients who receive services from the local Board of Developmental Disabilities. The agency cares for about 2,000 individuals each year and roughly 600 of them are children. Directors say the state recently increased what are called the 'waiver rates' for Medicaid to cover the 'DD's' different services. 'Those Medicaid services – which could be residential day programs, employment assistance, transportation, home modifications to hope people live in their homes – equates to roughly $100 million worth of services in this county for individuals served,' said board member Bill Whitacre. Whitacre thanked the commissioners for their ongoing support for the DD programs in the Valley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
