National AT Act Entities Conference Washington, DC Dave Matheis, July 2014.
-
Upload
esmond-stafford -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
1
Transcript of National AT Act Entities Conference Washington, DC Dave Matheis, July 2014.
National AT Act Entities ConferenceWashington, DC
Dave Matheis, July 2014
Experience of KATLC (Kentucky’s AFP) Leadership of the Kentucky Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation Emphasis at the federal level as an anti-
poverty strategy The obvious need of individuals with
disabilities
Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation
Began lending in summer of 2000 Have loaned more than $8.5 million Fifth Third Bank as lending partner 60% of our loans are for hearing aids and
25% or for vehicles and/or vehicle modifications
Governing statute limits what KATLC can get involved in
Instituted a Benefits Analysis Service fee for counselors to use when WIPAs were suspended
Well received by counselors who were now guaranteed of receiving the report to use as a counseling tool
Paid for 469 Benefits Plans in first full year of service
Preliminary data indicates rehabilitation rate of SSA Recipients who received a benefits analysis is 38% higher than those who didn’t
Held on October 10th, 2012. To begin a dialogue and build a
framework on how the asset-building community and disability community could work together to develop programs that stimulate economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.
Sponsors included KYOVR, Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA), Fifth Third Bank, KATLC, Center for Accessible Living, Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Kentucky SILC.
Technical assistance provided by Southeast Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Center (Atlanta)
Attendees included representatives from various disability-related agencies and service providers, Louisville Metro Government, Bank on of Louisville and Lexington, IDA providers, and others
Got the conversation started Created partnerships that that became the
foundation for several collaborative initiatives
Immediately following the Summit, TACE trained KYOVR’s 16 field managers and selected counselors in asset development and financial education
In the fall of 2013, KYOVR and TACE cooperated on a pilot to incorporate asset development into vocational rehabilitation counseling
Counselors in two selected districts received training and technical assistance from TACE to incorporate financial goals into two or three Individual Plans for Employment
Pilot is ending and results are being studied
The SILC incorporated asset development activities into the 2014-2016 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)
KYOVR and SILC will conduct at least four regional asset development summits (in partnership with other state and local partners)
KYOVR, SILC and the state’s centers for independent living will work together on a Car Individual Development Account (IDA) with the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA)
Partners with KDVA’s existing state-funded car IDA for domestic violence survivors
Participants must earn less than 200% of federal poverty level;
Unlike the federal AFI IDA, earned income is not required;
The savings match is 1:1 – participants save up to $2,000 and $2,000 will be earned in match;
Participants are required to complete ‘Car Maintenance 101’ and a Car-IDA workbook;
Financial education and case management for participants are required;
Cars can be purchased outright or money can be used as down payment for a loan;
Pilot targets two rural areas of the state in far western Kentucky and northeastern Kentucky
Since it is an independent living service, two CIL satellite offices are collaborating, developing IL goals for participants
KYOVR is funding the program with Social Security Reimbursement proceeds
Partners include KYOVR, Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, Kentucky Asset Building Initiative (KASI), KATLC, KDVA, and SILC
Local partners include Bank On, local asset building coalitions, individual banks, and community action agencies
Owensboro in December of 2013 and Bowling Green in May of 2014
Plans for Ashland in October
The Institute on Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Has selected Kentucky as one of two states (along with Minnesota) for a project to provide enhanced services to 500 individuals who are SSDI recipients
As part of model being tested, VR counselor, benefits planner (CWIC) and job placement provider must work as a team to provide just-in-time services
Financial education and planning will be a vital part of the service model
Developing a financial assessment tool and a directory of resources for the project
Have developed a partnership with Louisville Metro Community Services in the Louisville Metropolitan area
Using their Community Financial Empowerment Certification program to train KATLC and KYOVR staff
Collaborating with their effort with the National Disabilities Institute’s LEAD Center to provide a range of financial capability services and extending these services to low-income individuals with disabilities
Contact Information:Dave MatheisKentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation(502) [email protected]