September 12, 2022
Minutes
Minutes
Attendees via Zoom: Julianne Zaharis, Maggie Hoffman, JC Edelberg, Michaela York, Sarah Trites, Todd Goodwin, Liz Hansen, Betsy Hopkins, Shane Ashe, Tara Perry, Amanda Parker, Kathy Rickards, Lily Lin, Craig Patterson, Jamie Whitehouse, Teresa Barrows, Brenda Smith, Elisha Cicio, Bonnie Robinson, J Richardson Collins, Heidi Mansir, Sue Murphy, Lauren Wille, Ilea Sangillo, Rachel Dyer, Beth Mylroie, Margaret Cardoza, Anne-Marie Mayberry, Jen Greslick, Rob, Janet DiBiase, Darla Chafin, Libby Stone-Sterling, Stacy Lamontagne, Linda Lee, Brandon Karomba, Lily Cooper, Carol Snyder, Bonnie Brooks, Vickey Rand, Cullen Ryan, and a few people who joined the meeting in progress and/or left prior to its conclusion.
Cullen Ryan introduced himself and welcomed the group. Minutes from the last meeting were accepted. For the sake of time, Cullen read the names of participants.
Featured Speaker: Julianne Zaharis, Community Work Incentives Coordinator, Maine Medical Center Dept. of Vocational Services. www.benefitsandworkinme.org Topic: Overview of the Benefits Counseling Services Program.
Cullen: Today I’m pleased to welcome Julianne Zaharis, Community Work Incentives Coordinator with the Maine Medical Center Dept. of Vocational Services presenting an overview of the Benefits Counseling Services Program. This is a topic that is very much welcomed as for years we’ve heard how confusing navigating all this can be for people. Thank you again for being here!
Julianne Zaharis: Thank you for having me, I’m very excited to be here! My presentation will provide some basic information about Benefits Counseling Services (BCS), including how to make a referral for someone who receives a Social Security disability-based benefit and is interested in working. There is a lot of confusion and a lot of myths about receiving benefits and working – the presentation will skim the surface of the complexities involved because everything is very individualized.
Begin presentation (Click here for the presentation):
Julianne: For many folks, working and employment is an opportunity to increase skill development, socialization, etc. – it’s not all about making additional money. Though, many people need/want additional income since cash benefits paid are so low. We help focus on the financial aspect to ensure people don’t lose the essential benefits they need – such as health insurance – so they can instead concentrate on their employment goals. The primary takeaway is: Yes, you can work! But there are rules based on the specific benefit(s) received – let us handle that! To make a referral you can call 1-888-208-8700, email [email protected] or visit www.benefitsandworkinme.org to get the current BCS Referral Packet (updated 12/2020).
Cullen: That was great, Julianne! I wonder if you can provide a few examples of specific cases to give us a sense of how this works in real life.
Julianne: I do have to say that this is going to be benefit-specific mainly between SSI and SSDI. If you happen to know someone who receives, let’s say $841, if they receive that payment on the 1st of each month then they’re receiving SSI. The way that working impacts SSI, and SSI only, is: The first $85 doesn’t count whatsoever, but any amount over $85 will cause a reduction in their SSI cash benefit. Though it’s important to note that people will end up with more money when working. The primary reason is Social Security is only counting half of that income. If someone earns $500 per month, $85 is automatically taken off that, then Social Security will divide the remaining in half ($500 - $85 = $415 / 2 = $207.50). So, what starts as $500 turns into roughly $210 of “countable income.” If someone receives SSI, they’ll subtract what’s considered countable from what someone usually receives – so the countable income will be subtracted from the SSI cash benefit (in this example $841 - $207.50 = $633.50). The SSI benefit will be less, but the total overall amount of money received will be higher ($500 in earned income + the reduced SSI cash-benefit of $633.50 = $1133.50 in total income – which is higher than the original SSI cash benefit).
If someone is receiving a Title II benefit (SSDI etc.), that incentive is completely different. With a Title II benefit, Social Security offers a 9-month trial work period (the 9 months don’t have to be in a row/consecutive). This allows someone to figure out how many hours is a good fit, etc., without having to worry about how it will affect their SSDI cash benefit. During this 9-month period you can earn any amount of money and it will not affect your cash benefit.
Discussion:
-A provider stated that his organization offers a broad range of services to folks with disabilities. Going through the presentation it seems that staff may be finding themselves contemplating the same type of questions posed in the presentation. It was asked if they can reach out as well.
Julianne: Absolutely! We love working with people and their support staff. Having more people actively involved, the more ears listening to the information, the greater the support will be, and the greater the success for the person.
-The provider clarified that he was referring to the staff themselves who find themselves in situations like this.
Julianne: Thank you so much for clarifying. As long as someone is receiving a disability-based cash benefit from Social Security we can work with them – absolutely! I work with so many folks in the direct-service field to see if working is advantageous for them.
-It was stated that benefits counseling is looking at income and how it affects benefits. Assets also affect benefits. It was asked if BCS addresses this as well.
Julianne: Absolutely, yes! We will verify the cash benefit(s) the person is receiving, the rules based on their specific benefit(s), what assets they have, if they’re getting close to the asset limit, etc., and go through their options.
- It was asked if someone is working as part of their goal programming, but earning very little, if the income considered.
Julianne: If someone is open with Voc Rehab and doing a trial work experience, it shouldn’t be counted. There are certain programs and sometimes incentives built in as well. If someone is transitional age (22 and younger for Social Security) and in school full time and working, they can earn up to $2000 per month and their SSI won’t change. There are certain circumstances where Social Security doesn’t consider income. This is why meeting with BCS is so important – because there isn’t just one, straightforward answer!
Cullen: I was thinking about some of those dollar amounts you provided in your examples and that would certainly allow people the opportunity to work a fair number of hours. Five hundred dollars/month could mean a person is working 10 hours a week for four weeks a month at $12.50/hr.
Julianne: Yes! We ask people how many hours they want to work, and figure out the best approach for the person including helping them estimate earnings, how the disability cash benefit will be affected, their total income, etc. The budgeting aspect is so important because when people start working, they’re often not used to having to use earned income for groceries and other essentials. We want people to be in a better financial position due to employment, so we help them with budgeting, among other things.
-It was asked if BCS also considers married couples who both receive disability-based cash benefits.
Julianne: In the world of Social Security there are eligible and ineligible spouses. The Benefits Counselor will take that into consideration. If what you’re earning is going to affect your spouse’s benefit, we’ll let you know. And if you’re receiving a benefit and the other spouse is not, we take that into consideration too.
-It was stated that it appears there’s a change for people who receive disability cash benefits and have a spouse who died who did as well – that Social Security wipes the person’s Disability Account and only includes the Widow(er) benefit.
Julianne: Our team works with Social Security disability-based benefits. There are multiple different benefit programs. I’m familiar with what you’re talking about but it’s outside of my wheelhouse. But thank you for your comment!
Cullen: In your presentation you provide your contact information ([email protected]) – if someone wants to find out if they can work with you, they can call you or send an email?
Julianne: Absolutely!
Cullen: People with expertise in Social Security are few and far between. Can you help people apply for Social Security or know of someone who does?
Julianne: Unfortunately, no. Someone must already be receiving the benefit to meet with a Benefits Counselor. It can take years to be approved for disability-based benefits – it’s common to be denied and then go through the appeals process. If someone wants to work while they’re waiting for a decision from Social Security and is concerned that it will override their disability benefits application, they absolutely can work. Often case managers can help with the application process, though!
Julianne: This is a lot of information to digest – if you find yourself having questions after the meeting please reach out!
Cullen: Thank you very much for all this information and for being here today, Julianne. You made a lot of complicated information make a lot of sense. Now people have a good framework and have someone they can contact if they have questions. I believe a lot of people will find this information very helpful. Thank you again, and well done!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
DHHS – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads
Betsy Hopkins: I’ll go through some brief updates from OADS:
The proposed project will support several goals, many of which have been communicated as priorities by stakeholders, including:
We are hosting three sessions with each of the focused participant groups. To promote active interaction, providers will be asked to only attend the provider specific sessions.
Southern Maine (Cumberland, Sagadahoc, York):
Individuals and Families/Guardians: September 20 from 4pm to 5:30pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pdeuvpj0tHNIWKsUXEENYqJY-LXMl4KYU
Providers: September 22 from 11am to 12:30pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-CuqTsoE9zJ6sVBHPlL9m9tWM8IcKNa
Central Maine (Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford):
Providers: September 27 from 11am to 12:30pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ode6qpzojH9w1IAc-YLN2k6MuQqztT6CS
Individuals and Families/Guardians: September 29 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpd-Grpj8vH9IQnPRRFvFRglokKTYbUs0e
Northern Maine (Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, Washington):
Individuals and Families/Guardians: October 4 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtc-irrT4jG9AzBFyOAgAi44rCJf1uSs2n
Providers: October 6 from 11am to 12:30pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpdOysqT4oE9drw-Hu4J73tDJ-1FSFlj1E
If you require accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART) or American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at [email protected] by September 13th.
Registration Round 2 will open Monday, September 12th at 8am
If you are receiving this email, your organization is eligible to receive an HCBS Remediation grant but did not register by the August 19th deadline of the original grant cycle. The Department announced and opened registration on 8/1 and sent additional emails to generate a full response in the first round, and then extended the deadline for an additional working week from August 12th to August 19th. Because the Department wants to ensure that all eligible applicants get access to these funds, the Department is re-opening this registration for an additional two weeks from September 12th to September 26, 2022. The registration process is easy and takes only a few minutes. We encourage you to apply.
Additional information: The goal of this initiative is to assist HCBS providers to implement the requirements of the HCBS Settings Rule.
Who can apply: Providers who are participating in the Department’s HCBS Settings Rule transition to compliance process and are up to date with any submissions due to the Department or its contractors in that process, and who did not register within the first registration window that ended on August 19th may register now.
How to apply: Eligible providers must register for a grant using this web form. Registration opens on Monday, September 12th at 8am, and is due by September 26th, 2022, at 5pm. For more information, please refer to the Remediation Grants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Office of Aging and Disability Services HCBS Web page (Resources Box).
If you have any questions that are not addressed in the FAQ or this email, please direct them to: [email protected]
Thank you and we look forward to receiving your registration.
-It parent stated that they still haven’t been able to find a provider for her son, who lost services due to the Sweetser closures.
Betsy: We’re meeting with Sweetser, and having internal discussions, to problem-solve this. If you want to email me ([email protected]) information specific to your son’s case, I’d be happy to bring it up at the weekly meetings with Sweetser.
-A self-advocate thanked the Department for the work going into the Lifespan Project, specifically the cross collaboration between the various offices.
Cullen: Thank you for being here, Betsy, and for all this information!
DHHS – Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs
Teresa Barrows: We’re continuing our work on the transition planning with OADS. We’re in the process of hiring for the Transition Liaison positions.
Betsy: I would love to be able to share the link to the job posting since these positions are so key to the work we’re discussing. (Click here for a link to the job posting.)
Teresa: I was hoping we’d be further along with this work before presenting to this group. Though, there is information we can share so Betsy and I would be happy to present to this group in October. I wanted to mention that we’re going to be doing a free RUBI training in October. RUBI is an evidence-based parent training for children on the Autism spectrum with disruptive behaviors.
Also, we’ve been working with the Brain Injury Association to bring trainings to providers and families of young children with brain injuries. We’re starting this work with a one-hour webinar with a pediatric neurologist called “TBI in Childhood: Conceptualizing Social & Behavioral Challenges.” (Click here for the flyer.) A big gap in brain injury services appears to exist – there isn’t a lot for children. This is the first step in attempting to bridge that gap and help determine what treatment or intervention would be most helpful for children.
-A self-advocate stated that this is going to dramatically help change the discourse and eliminate the stigma for people under the age of 18 with a brain injury – finally addressing the issue and not putting them into the “developmental disability” box because it’s easy.
Cullen: This is a monumental undertaking and I applaud all of your tireless efforts! Providing incremental updates along the way is welcomed, so we can continue to be your cheerleaders and assist in optimizing transition in Maine. Thank you for being willing to present at the October meeting!
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr – No update
Libby Stone-Sterling: A lot of wonderful things went on this summer, including a ton of programs to help people with disabilities get ready for employment. We’ve also just started our 4th round of PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) Social Skills Trainings. PEERS is a social skills treatment for children and young adults with ASD developed by Elizabeth Laugeson at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. It includes training and practice sessions on communication and interpersonal skills. We have VR staff who are certified trainers for this evidence-based curriculum, which is for kids ages 14-24. We’re going to run several online job clubs throughout the year, which we’re excited about. We recognized the need to bring additional resources to the Down East area and up north and we were able to bring someone on in Presque Isle who’s starting today. I wanted to remind this group about the Maine State Rehabilitation Council that is always looking for additional members. The Council has its annual meeting in October and meets bi-monthly throughout the year. The Council is really hoping for additional voices from consumers – it would be great to have people from this group on the Council! Also, we’re excited that we received reallotment funds, which are dollars that other VR agencies didn’t spend.
Cullen: Thank you very much and for all the great work you’re doing, Libby!
Special Education
Titus O’Rourke could not attend today’s meeting but sent the following update via email prior to the meeting: I wanted to share what we have been working on at the Office of Special Services, Special Projects.
We held an LD 924 Taskforce Summit over the summer. Snapshot of Summit objectives and achievements:
Next Steps
SMACT (Southern Maine Advisory Council on Transition):
The SMACT website and the Coalition website are cross-linked for convenience and information-sharing. As a reminder, if you want to be on the email list feel free to email Nancy ([email protected]). Next year SMACT meetings will be held quarterly, beginning on the first Friday of October. These meetings will be as information dense as possible since they won’t be held every month. The first presenter will be Diane Luce with the MMC Benefits Counseling Program discussing work incentives and addressing confusion regarding how work affects benefits.
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Lauren Wille: In the past few months we’ve increased our collaboration is MECASA (Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault). This work is very important. Recent studies (NPR 2018) estimated a rate of 83% of females with developmental disabilities and 32% of males have been sexually or physically abused – half of these women have been assaulted more than 10 times. Only 3% reported. These statistics are alarming. We recently co-presented with sexual assault response center in Aroostook County at the SUFU Conference in Caribou to share information and resources. MECASA is having its Annual Conference this week and on Wednesday DRM is hosting discussion panel of self-advocates to discuss ableism—what it looks like and how it can be combated—to advocates at sexual assault response centers throughout the state. DRM was just awarded a grant from DOJ’s OVW - Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grant Program. We’re partnering with MECASA, SUFU, MACSP, Immigrant Resource Center of Maine (IRCM), Wabanaki Woman’s Coalition (WWC), and Maine Trans Net, Inc (MTN). People with ID/DD should have full access to sexual assault response centers and services, especially given disproportionate impact of sexual violence against people with disabilities. This grant provides funds for DRM to develop trainings, identify resources, and build partnerships with partner organizations with the goal to reduce and end sexual assault, and is specifically aimed at people with ID/DD to address disparate impact of sexual violence against individuals with ID/DD. I wanted to highlight that DRM advocates on the access team visited numerous state parks throughout the state with eye toward accessibility. The ideal accessible park is Pine Tree Camp in Rome. Advocates found a very wide variety of how accessible state parks were. Range Pond in Poland stood out as being impressively accessible. We’ll be releasing a report and/or video covering the results of this project in the fall or winter. DRM advocate Keenan Weischedel on Maine Calling in August. They had an entire episode dedicated to outdoor accessibility in Maine. (Click here for the episode.)
-It was asked if the Access Team is working with the State’s ADA Coordinator.
Lauren: There is a connection there, yes.
LD 924 Task Force Update:
Linda Lee: Julianne’s presentation highlighted the barriers for people trying to work, and ties in beautifully with the LD 924 Task Force work which includes how to make it easier for people to work.
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen:
State Legislature Update
Cullen: The Legislature is obviously not in session, but there is an election coming up in November. First, please vote! Second, I encourage you to connect with candidates running for office in your area, educate them about you and your family’s needs – this is a wonderful time to tell your story!
Other Business: None.
The next meeting will be on **Monday, October 17, 2022, 12-2pm, ** via Zoom*.
Featured Speakers: Teresa Barrows, Children’s Behavioral Health Services Manager, DHHS-OCFS, and
Betsy Hopkins, Associate Director, Developmental Disability and Brain Injury Services, DHHS-OADS.
Topic: An update on the transition work between Children’s Behavioral Health Services and the Office of Aging and Disability Services to optimize transitions.
** Please note this is the 3rd Monday of the month due to the holiday on our usual meeting date **
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2022 the October meeting will be the 3rd Monday due to the holiday)
The Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services provides equal opportunity for meeting participation. If you wish to attend but require an interpreter or other accommodation, please forward your request two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to [email protected].
Cullen Ryan introduced himself and welcomed the group. Minutes from the last meeting were accepted. For the sake of time, Cullen read the names of participants.
Featured Speaker: Julianne Zaharis, Community Work Incentives Coordinator, Maine Medical Center Dept. of Vocational Services. www.benefitsandworkinme.org Topic: Overview of the Benefits Counseling Services Program.
Cullen: Today I’m pleased to welcome Julianne Zaharis, Community Work Incentives Coordinator with the Maine Medical Center Dept. of Vocational Services presenting an overview of the Benefits Counseling Services Program. This is a topic that is very much welcomed as for years we’ve heard how confusing navigating all this can be for people. Thank you again for being here!
Julianne Zaharis: Thank you for having me, I’m very excited to be here! My presentation will provide some basic information about Benefits Counseling Services (BCS), including how to make a referral for someone who receives a Social Security disability-based benefit and is interested in working. There is a lot of confusion and a lot of myths about receiving benefits and working – the presentation will skim the surface of the complexities involved because everything is very individualized.
Begin presentation (Click here for the presentation):
Julianne: For many folks, working and employment is an opportunity to increase skill development, socialization, etc. – it’s not all about making additional money. Though, many people need/want additional income since cash benefits paid are so low. We help focus on the financial aspect to ensure people don’t lose the essential benefits they need – such as health insurance – so they can instead concentrate on their employment goals. The primary takeaway is: Yes, you can work! But there are rules based on the specific benefit(s) received – let us handle that! To make a referral you can call 1-888-208-8700, email [email protected] or visit www.benefitsandworkinme.org to get the current BCS Referral Packet (updated 12/2020).
Cullen: That was great, Julianne! I wonder if you can provide a few examples of specific cases to give us a sense of how this works in real life.
Julianne: I do have to say that this is going to be benefit-specific mainly between SSI and SSDI. If you happen to know someone who receives, let’s say $841, if they receive that payment on the 1st of each month then they’re receiving SSI. The way that working impacts SSI, and SSI only, is: The first $85 doesn’t count whatsoever, but any amount over $85 will cause a reduction in their SSI cash benefit. Though it’s important to note that people will end up with more money when working. The primary reason is Social Security is only counting half of that income. If someone earns $500 per month, $85 is automatically taken off that, then Social Security will divide the remaining in half ($500 - $85 = $415 / 2 = $207.50). So, what starts as $500 turns into roughly $210 of “countable income.” If someone receives SSI, they’ll subtract what’s considered countable from what someone usually receives – so the countable income will be subtracted from the SSI cash benefit (in this example $841 - $207.50 = $633.50). The SSI benefit will be less, but the total overall amount of money received will be higher ($500 in earned income + the reduced SSI cash-benefit of $633.50 = $1133.50 in total income – which is higher than the original SSI cash benefit).
If someone is receiving a Title II benefit (SSDI etc.), that incentive is completely different. With a Title II benefit, Social Security offers a 9-month trial work period (the 9 months don’t have to be in a row/consecutive). This allows someone to figure out how many hours is a good fit, etc., without having to worry about how it will affect their SSDI cash benefit. During this 9-month period you can earn any amount of money and it will not affect your cash benefit.
Discussion:
-A provider stated that his organization offers a broad range of services to folks with disabilities. Going through the presentation it seems that staff may be finding themselves contemplating the same type of questions posed in the presentation. It was asked if they can reach out as well.
Julianne: Absolutely! We love working with people and their support staff. Having more people actively involved, the more ears listening to the information, the greater the support will be, and the greater the success for the person.
-The provider clarified that he was referring to the staff themselves who find themselves in situations like this.
Julianne: Thank you so much for clarifying. As long as someone is receiving a disability-based cash benefit from Social Security we can work with them – absolutely! I work with so many folks in the direct-service field to see if working is advantageous for them.
-It was stated that benefits counseling is looking at income and how it affects benefits. Assets also affect benefits. It was asked if BCS addresses this as well.
Julianne: Absolutely, yes! We will verify the cash benefit(s) the person is receiving, the rules based on their specific benefit(s), what assets they have, if they’re getting close to the asset limit, etc., and go through their options.
- It was asked if someone is working as part of their goal programming, but earning very little, if the income considered.
Julianne: If someone is open with Voc Rehab and doing a trial work experience, it shouldn’t be counted. There are certain programs and sometimes incentives built in as well. If someone is transitional age (22 and younger for Social Security) and in school full time and working, they can earn up to $2000 per month and their SSI won’t change. There are certain circumstances where Social Security doesn’t consider income. This is why meeting with BCS is so important – because there isn’t just one, straightforward answer!
Cullen: I was thinking about some of those dollar amounts you provided in your examples and that would certainly allow people the opportunity to work a fair number of hours. Five hundred dollars/month could mean a person is working 10 hours a week for four weeks a month at $12.50/hr.
Julianne: Yes! We ask people how many hours they want to work, and figure out the best approach for the person including helping them estimate earnings, how the disability cash benefit will be affected, their total income, etc. The budgeting aspect is so important because when people start working, they’re often not used to having to use earned income for groceries and other essentials. We want people to be in a better financial position due to employment, so we help them with budgeting, among other things.
-It was asked if BCS also considers married couples who both receive disability-based cash benefits.
Julianne: In the world of Social Security there are eligible and ineligible spouses. The Benefits Counselor will take that into consideration. If what you’re earning is going to affect your spouse’s benefit, we’ll let you know. And if you’re receiving a benefit and the other spouse is not, we take that into consideration too.
-It was stated that it appears there’s a change for people who receive disability cash benefits and have a spouse who died who did as well – that Social Security wipes the person’s Disability Account and only includes the Widow(er) benefit.
Julianne: Our team works with Social Security disability-based benefits. There are multiple different benefit programs. I’m familiar with what you’re talking about but it’s outside of my wheelhouse. But thank you for your comment!
Cullen: In your presentation you provide your contact information ([email protected]) – if someone wants to find out if they can work with you, they can call you or send an email?
Julianne: Absolutely!
Cullen: People with expertise in Social Security are few and far between. Can you help people apply for Social Security or know of someone who does?
Julianne: Unfortunately, no. Someone must already be receiving the benefit to meet with a Benefits Counselor. It can take years to be approved for disability-based benefits – it’s common to be denied and then go through the appeals process. If someone wants to work while they’re waiting for a decision from Social Security and is concerned that it will override their disability benefits application, they absolutely can work. Often case managers can help with the application process, though!
Julianne: This is a lot of information to digest – if you find yourself having questions after the meeting please reach out!
Cullen: Thank you very much for all this information and for being here today, Julianne. You made a lot of complicated information make a lot of sense. Now people have a good framework and have someone they can contact if they have questions. I believe a lot of people will find this information very helpful. Thank you again, and well done!
End Presentation (round of applause would have occurred were it not for everyone being muted and on Zoom)
DHHS – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads
Betsy Hopkins: I’ll go through some brief updates from OADS:
- Home and Community Based Settings (HCBS) Lifespan Project Listening Sessions
The proposed project will support several goals, many of which have been communicated as priorities by stakeholders, including:
- Greater Flexibility to Address Changing Needs – The Lifespan project will consider the changing needs of this population, such as needs that change with age.
- Improved Transition and In-Home Services – The Lifespan project will compliment current transition work (from childhood to adulthood) by including children starting at either 14 or 16 years (to be determined). In-home waiver supports, independent living skills, and employment services could begin early and continue seamlessly into adulthood.
- Innovation – The Lifespan project will be a vehicle for innovations for families and waiver members, such as tiered shared living, enhanced medical and behavioral health supports, self-direction, innovative employment supports, and more independent living options. Technology and self-direction innovations offer alternative approaches that can be implemented despite workforce shortages.
We are hosting three sessions with each of the focused participant groups. To promote active interaction, providers will be asked to only attend the provider specific sessions.
Southern Maine (Cumberland, Sagadahoc, York):
Individuals and Families/Guardians: September 20 from 4pm to 5:30pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pdeuvpj0tHNIWKsUXEENYqJY-LXMl4KYU
Providers: September 22 from 11am to 12:30pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-CuqTsoE9zJ6sVBHPlL9m9tWM8IcKNa
Central Maine (Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford):
Providers: September 27 from 11am to 12:30pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ode6qpzojH9w1IAc-YLN2k6MuQqztT6CS
Individuals and Families/Guardians: September 29 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpd-Grpj8vH9IQnPRRFvFRglokKTYbUs0e
Northern Maine (Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, Washington):
Individuals and Families/Guardians: October 4 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtc-irrT4jG9AzBFyOAgAi44rCJf1uSs2n
Providers: October 6 from 11am to 12:30pm
Registration Link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpdOysqT4oE9drw-Hu4J73tDJ-1FSFlj1E
If you require accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART) or American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at [email protected] by September 13th.
- Innovation Grants: Applications have opened with an end date of 11/8. We received one round of questions. The Division of Contract Management will provide responses to those questions for the public soon and then we will open a second round of questions later this month.
- HCBS Remediation Grants: We are processing the ninety-four (94) applications from providers which we received during the initial registration for these grants. The goal is to get those payments out to providers by the end of this month. We have been asked by a couple of agencies to re-open the registration for those who missed it. (See below for the announcement that came out last Friday.)
Registration Round 2 will open Monday, September 12th at 8am
If you are receiving this email, your organization is eligible to receive an HCBS Remediation grant but did not register by the August 19th deadline of the original grant cycle. The Department announced and opened registration on 8/1 and sent additional emails to generate a full response in the first round, and then extended the deadline for an additional working week from August 12th to August 19th. Because the Department wants to ensure that all eligible applicants get access to these funds, the Department is re-opening this registration for an additional two weeks from September 12th to September 26, 2022. The registration process is easy and takes only a few minutes. We encourage you to apply.
Additional information: The goal of this initiative is to assist HCBS providers to implement the requirements of the HCBS Settings Rule.
Who can apply: Providers who are participating in the Department’s HCBS Settings Rule transition to compliance process and are up to date with any submissions due to the Department or its contractors in that process, and who did not register within the first registration window that ended on August 19th may register now.
How to apply: Eligible providers must register for a grant using this web form. Registration opens on Monday, September 12th at 8am, and is due by September 26th, 2022, at 5pm. For more information, please refer to the Remediation Grants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Office of Aging and Disability Services HCBS Web page (Resources Box).
If you have any questions that are not addressed in the FAQ or this email, please direct them to: [email protected]
Thank you and we look forward to receiving your registration.
- Caring For ME Hiring Event: The Caring For ME campaign, aimed at bolstering recruitment efforts and increasing awareness of career opportunities in Maine’s direct care & behavioral health fields, are partnering with Maine Career Centers to host the following hiring events in September & October:
- Sept 21: Waterville Outdoor Hiring Event featuring Caring for ME. Event page & registration info here
- Sept 22: Ellsworth Caring for ME event. Event page & registration here
- Sept 29: Brunswick Outdoor Hiring Event featuring Caring for ME. Event page & registration here
- Oct 4: Virtual State-Wide Caring for ME Event. Registration link
- TBD: Greater Portland Caring for ME Event. Location and date forthcoming!
-It parent stated that they still haven’t been able to find a provider for her son, who lost services due to the Sweetser closures.
Betsy: We’re meeting with Sweetser, and having internal discussions, to problem-solve this. If you want to email me ([email protected]) information specific to your son’s case, I’d be happy to bring it up at the weekly meetings with Sweetser.
-A self-advocate thanked the Department for the work going into the Lifespan Project, specifically the cross collaboration between the various offices.
Cullen: Thank you for being here, Betsy, and for all this information!
DHHS – Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) - www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs
Teresa Barrows: We’re continuing our work on the transition planning with OADS. We’re in the process of hiring for the Transition Liaison positions.
Betsy: I would love to be able to share the link to the job posting since these positions are so key to the work we’re discussing. (Click here for a link to the job posting.)
Teresa: I was hoping we’d be further along with this work before presenting to this group. Though, there is information we can share so Betsy and I would be happy to present to this group in October. I wanted to mention that we’re going to be doing a free RUBI training in October. RUBI is an evidence-based parent training for children on the Autism spectrum with disruptive behaviors.
Also, we’ve been working with the Brain Injury Association to bring trainings to providers and families of young children with brain injuries. We’re starting this work with a one-hour webinar with a pediatric neurologist called “TBI in Childhood: Conceptualizing Social & Behavioral Challenges.” (Click here for the flyer.) A big gap in brain injury services appears to exist – there isn’t a lot for children. This is the first step in attempting to bridge that gap and help determine what treatment or intervention would be most helpful for children.
-A self-advocate stated that this is going to dramatically help change the discourse and eliminate the stigma for people under the age of 18 with a brain injury – finally addressing the issue and not putting them into the “developmental disability” box because it’s easy.
Cullen: This is a monumental undertaking and I applaud all of your tireless efforts! Providing incremental updates along the way is welcomed, so we can continue to be your cheerleaders and assist in optimizing transition in Maine. Thank you for being willing to present at the October meeting!
DOL – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation - www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr – No update
Libby Stone-Sterling: A lot of wonderful things went on this summer, including a ton of programs to help people with disabilities get ready for employment. We’ve also just started our 4th round of PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) Social Skills Trainings. PEERS is a social skills treatment for children and young adults with ASD developed by Elizabeth Laugeson at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. It includes training and practice sessions on communication and interpersonal skills. We have VR staff who are certified trainers for this evidence-based curriculum, which is for kids ages 14-24. We’re going to run several online job clubs throughout the year, which we’re excited about. We recognized the need to bring additional resources to the Down East area and up north and we were able to bring someone on in Presque Isle who’s starting today. I wanted to remind this group about the Maine State Rehabilitation Council that is always looking for additional members. The Council has its annual meeting in October and meets bi-monthly throughout the year. The Council is really hoping for additional voices from consumers – it would be great to have people from this group on the Council! Also, we’re excited that we received reallotment funds, which are dollars that other VR agencies didn’t spend.
Cullen: Thank you very much and for all the great work you’re doing, Libby!
Special Education
Titus O’Rourke could not attend today’s meeting but sent the following update via email prior to the meeting: I wanted to share what we have been working on at the Office of Special Services, Special Projects.
We held an LD 924 Taskforce Summit over the summer. Snapshot of Summit objectives and achievements:
- Each day a family member zoomed into the summit to share their personal stories. We are including a section in the LD 924 report with individual and family quotes to highlight their lived experiences. We will pull these from the stories shared at the summit and the parent survey Linda Lee sent out earlier this year.
- Our National Technical Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) partners shared background on national research and facilitated our work together. You may find their PowerPoint slides here.
- We examined the gaps and barriers identified in each of the subcommittee reports. In small groups, we looked for themes in the gaps and barriers and then created a list of problem statements. We brought these statements to the larger group in person and online and condensed them into four themes with problem statements.
- We examined these problem statements and conducted a root cause analysis
- The in person and online participants reviewed the recommendations from the subcommittee reports and identified which of the themes/problem statements matched with each of the recommendations.
Next Steps
- Using the gaps/barriers, root cause analysis, themes/problem statements and organization of the recommendations conducted during the summit, we created an initial outline of the LD 924 report shared with the taskforce on August 8. Upon receiving feedback and comments about the outline, we revised and updated a second draft of the report, which was shared on September 8th.
- On Monday, September 12th, we will reconvene the Taskforce to review the 2nd draft and revise/update as needed.
- We hope to finalize and submit to the Commissioner’s office at the beginning of October.
SMACT (Southern Maine Advisory Council on Transition):
The SMACT website and the Coalition website are cross-linked for convenience and information-sharing. As a reminder, if you want to be on the email list feel free to email Nancy ([email protected]). Next year SMACT meetings will be held quarterly, beginning on the first Friday of October. These meetings will be as information dense as possible since they won’t be held every month. The first presenter will be Diane Luce with the MMC Benefits Counseling Program discussing work incentives and addressing confusion regarding how work affects benefits.
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) Update:
Lauren Wille: In the past few months we’ve increased our collaboration is MECASA (Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault). This work is very important. Recent studies (NPR 2018) estimated a rate of 83% of females with developmental disabilities and 32% of males have been sexually or physically abused – half of these women have been assaulted more than 10 times. Only 3% reported. These statistics are alarming. We recently co-presented with sexual assault response center in Aroostook County at the SUFU Conference in Caribou to share information and resources. MECASA is having its Annual Conference this week and on Wednesday DRM is hosting discussion panel of self-advocates to discuss ableism—what it looks like and how it can be combated—to advocates at sexual assault response centers throughout the state. DRM was just awarded a grant from DOJ’s OVW - Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grant Program. We’re partnering with MECASA, SUFU, MACSP, Immigrant Resource Center of Maine (IRCM), Wabanaki Woman’s Coalition (WWC), and Maine Trans Net, Inc (MTN). People with ID/DD should have full access to sexual assault response centers and services, especially given disproportionate impact of sexual violence against people with disabilities. This grant provides funds for DRM to develop trainings, identify resources, and build partnerships with partner organizations with the goal to reduce and end sexual assault, and is specifically aimed at people with ID/DD to address disparate impact of sexual violence against individuals with ID/DD. I wanted to highlight that DRM advocates on the access team visited numerous state parks throughout the state with eye toward accessibility. The ideal accessible park is Pine Tree Camp in Rome. Advocates found a very wide variety of how accessible state parks were. Range Pond in Poland stood out as being impressively accessible. We’ll be releasing a report and/or video covering the results of this project in the fall or winter. DRM advocate Keenan Weischedel on Maine Calling in August. They had an entire episode dedicated to outdoor accessibility in Maine. (Click here for the episode.)
-It was asked if the Access Team is working with the State’s ADA Coordinator.
Lauren: There is a connection there, yes.
LD 924 Task Force Update:
Linda Lee: Julianne’s presentation highlighted the barriers for people trying to work, and ties in beautifully with the LD 924 Task Force work which includes how to make it easier for people to work.
Federal & Housing Updates:
Cullen:
- Inflation Reduction Act/Budget Reconciliation Bill: On 8/16 President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, a reconciliation package that includes roughly $433 billion in new spending over the next 10 years on climate, energy, and health provisions. However, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 excludes housing investments that advocates fought strongly to include. Despite housing being a key driver of inflation, the bill doesn’t include resources to address the limited housing supply, increasing rents, or increases in homelessness across the country.
- FY 23 Budget: The Senate returned from August recess on 9/6, with the House following suit on 9/13. Congress will have until 10/1 to either enact an FY 23 Budget, pass a Continuing Resolution (CR), or risk a government shutdown. Though a shutdown is not likely the Senate and House Appropriations bills have a way to go to reach agreement. A CR may be the more probable outcome due to upcoming elections.
- Senate FY 23 T-HUD Budget: On 7/28 the Senate released its FY 23 T-HUD Budget, which would provide $70 billion in funding, including $10.3 billion in offsets, for HUD’s affordable housing, homelessness, and community development programs – an increase of $4.3 billion over FY22-enacted levels but $3 billion less than the House bill and $1.9 billion less than the amount proposed in President Biden’s FY23 budget request. Some programs would be funded at levels higher than the House bill, while others would receive less funding than FY 22 enacted levels or the amounts proposed by the House.
- Affordable Housing Development: On 7/27, the Treasury Department announced guidance to increase the ability of state, local, and tribal governments to use American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to increase the supply of affordable housing in their communities. The Treasury plan allows state housing agencies to use State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to provide financing for LIHTC projects.
- National Housing Trust Fund: There are various efforts in Congress to increase the National Housing Trust Fund, including the Homes for All Act which would invest $200 billion over 10 years into the National Housing Trust Fund. And, the Housing for All Act of 2022, which would invest $45 billion into the National Housing Trust Fund. In Maine, resources from the HTF are the primary funding mechanism for supportive housing development.
State Legislature Update
Cullen: The Legislature is obviously not in session, but there is an election coming up in November. First, please vote! Second, I encourage you to connect with candidates running for office in your area, educate them about you and your family’s needs – this is a wonderful time to tell your story!
Other Business: None.
The next meeting will be on **Monday, October 17, 2022, 12-2pm, ** via Zoom*.
Featured Speakers: Teresa Barrows, Children’s Behavioral Health Services Manager, DHHS-OCFS, and
Betsy Hopkins, Associate Director, Developmental Disability and Brain Injury Services, DHHS-OADS.
Topic: An update on the transition work between Children’s Behavioral Health Services and the Office of Aging and Disability Services to optimize transitions.
** Please note this is the 3rd Monday of the month due to the holiday on our usual meeting date **
Unless changed, Coalition meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12-2pm.
(In 2022 the October meeting will be the 3rd Monday due to the holiday)
The Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services provides equal opportunity for meeting participation. If you wish to attend but require an interpreter or other accommodation, please forward your request two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to [email protected].