Profiles is published by The Arc of Oakland County at 1641 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, MI 48084, 248-816-1900 and is available to members of The Arc. A UNITED WAY AGENCY.

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2 0 1 9 M e m b e r s h i p G o a l2 , 0 0 0

A S O F 4 / 17 / 19 W E H AV E 5 4 5 M E M B E R S !

M A R C H M E M B E R SAngela Carroll - Rachel Chandler - Judith Cilibraise - Timothy G. Duffey - Lorraine Dutka - Christina Greenblatt - Pan Pan Hu - Debra Kelley - Michele Koziara - Van Hunt & Peg Dilworth-Hunt - Timothy & Judith Purcell - Maria Roman - Dudith E. Taub - Jane Tekiele - Hsi-

Tung Tsao - Wendy Van Alstyne

A P R I L M E M B E R SAmber Barry - Gregory Brandon - Matthew Adams & Dr. Elizabeth Secord - Arta Kalaj -

Jiyoung Song - Adam Walker - Erica White

IN MEMORIAMJames S. Ladd

June

May27 – Memorial Day

N E W M E M B E R S

July4 – Independence Day

4 – The Arc of Oakland County Board of Director's Meeting, 5:30 p.m. AND Annual Meeting, 7 p.m. at Wing Lake

Developmental Center in Bloomfield Hills

28 – The Arc Michigan's Disability Policy Seminar, Lansing

Designer & Editor, PROFILES

Allison M. Murowany

2018-2019Board of Directors

David Loeffler, DVM, Ph.D., PresidentTom Quakenbush, 1st VP

Ronald Cheli, Esq., 2nd Vice PresidentSuzanne Marquardt, Secretary

Jerry Rubin, TreasurerTom Lias, Past President

Delegates-at-largeTim Hatfield Linda Knox

Lisa KowalskiKaren Mellott

Randall MeonoNadine Milostan

Barbara Scott John Torrone

Ann Wiedelman

Lynn M. GideonOffice Manager, Comptroller

Monica P. GoergFiscal Intermediary

Monica M. KnoblockFiscal Intermediary

Kiesha D. LawtonAdministrative Assistant

Patricia D. LukerStaff Advocate

Diane M. McDanielFiscal Intermediary

Erin E. McDanielFiscal Intermediary

Leanne E. MayesFiscal Intermediary

Allison M. MurowanyPublic Relations, Development

The Arc of Oakland County Staff

Thomas F. Kendziorski, Esq.Executive Director

Megan L. ArnoldFiscal Intermediary

Niki R. BeckerFiscal Intermediary

Megan E. BroskyFiscal Intermediary

Tracy M. BrowningFiscal Intermediary

Patricia A. BusickFiscal Intermediary

Kathleen J. ChutorashFiscal Intermediary

Bernadette L. DuhoskiThe Forever Plan Monitor

"From TheDirector's Chair"

By: TomKendziorski

Continued on Page 3

ProfilesSERVING PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIESSINCE 1967

2019 Annual Meeting Information................................................Page 2

49th Annual Dove Awards Program Highlights...... ..............Pages 4-7

2019 The Arc Michigan's Disability Policy Seminar..................Page 8

Misson Statement

The Arc of Oakland County advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We strive to improve systems of supports and services; connect families; inspire our community, and influence public policy.

M o r e h i g h l i g h t s o f t h e 2 0 1 9 D o v e A w a r d s P r e s e n t a t i o n & S i l e n t A u c t i o n a r e o n p a g e s 4 - 7 .

Over 250 people came together on Friday, March 22, 2019 to celebrate the achievements of the Dove Award recipients at the San Marino Club in Troy.

The Arc of Oakland County would like to extend a very special thank you to Deena Centofanti, Anchor & Health Works Reporter at FOX 2 Detroit, who graciously accepted our invitation to again emcee this year's festivities. Everyone in the audience truly enjoyed themselves. The event was a great success as we raised over $9,500 in the Silent Auction & Raffle and over $18,500 in Sponsorships.

49th Annual Dove Awards Presentation and Silent Auction

Sometimes I take things for granted since I am immersed in the business of disability law each and every day. Taking the time to explain legal concepts in everyday language is usually worth-while since the more that caregivers and sup-port personnel understand something, the bet-ter the outcomes for the individual with special needs.

Guardianship is one of those issues. Oftentimes misunderstood, but it needs to see the light of day and be exposed for what it is and is not. Simply stated, a guardianship is where legal rights are removed by a probate judge and the individual is declared incompetent at law.

In Michigan, an adult with a developmental dis-ability (DD) is presumed to be his own guardian, that is competent at law, unless and until a pro-bate judge directs otherwise. The law and pro-cedures for the guardianship of an adult with DD may be found at chapter 6 of the Michigan Mental Health Code. It clearly states that there are two forms, “Plenary” and “Partial.” Plenary means “full,” that is, all rights are removed from a person, except those Constitutionally guar-anteed, such as, the right to vote, the right to marry, or protections like the right to bear arms or to freely assemble. In essence, this is the most restrictive form of a DD guardianship. It is indefinite, and one would have to prove com-petency to have a person’s rights restored. That could prove difficult to accomplish.

The other form of guardianship, the “preferred” form as stated in the Code, is a “Partial.” Only

Volume 44, No. 5 - 6 www.thearcoakland.org MAY - JUNE 2019

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2019 Annual Meeting &ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.Wing Lake Developmental Center

6490 Wing Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

ANNUAL MEETING TOPIC & SPEAKERS

Conversations with Community Housing Network: Housing Resources and Planning

Shelley Brinkman / Beth Schindler / Katelyn Sanders - Oakland Housing LinkMadeline Jaks – Housing Counseling

Joanna Giglio – Springhill Pooled Accounts Trust

OFFICERS

Office Name Term EndsPresident Tom Quakenbush June 2020*1st Vice President Jerry Rubin June 2020*2nd Vice President Tom Lias June 2020*Secretary Lisa Kowalski June 2020*Treasurer Suzanne Marquardt June 2020*Past President David Loeffler June 2020*

DELEGATES-AT-LARGE

Ron Cheli June 2021Tim Hatfield June 2021Linda Knox June 2021Julianne Lalik June 2021Randy Meono June 2020**Nadine Milostan June 2020**Barbara Scott June 2020**John Torrone June 2021Ann Wiedelman June 2021

All names in BOLD are up for election*All officers have one-year terms and each is re-electable in June 2020

**Not up for re-election in June 2019

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Shop on AmazonSmile & Help Support The Arc of Oakland CountyThe Arc of Oakland County is now registered with AmazonSmile!

When first visiting AmazonSmile, customers are prompted to select a chari-table organization from almost one million eligible organizations. In order to browse or shop at AmazonSmile, customers must first select a charitable or-ganization. For eligible purchases at AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foun-dation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the customer’s selected charitable organization.

We Need Your E-mail AddressWe are collecting our members’ e-mail addresses so we can send out electronic flyers, event reminders, action alerts and any other important information regarding The Arc. Please send us

the e-mail address you would like us to use either by e-mail (amurowany@thearcoakland.org) or to the The Arc office.

The Arc of Oakland County is now on Facebook & YouTube. Visit www.thearcoakland.org and

look for the social media icons.

TOOTSIE ROLL DRIVE 2019by Thomas F. Kendziorski, Esq.

The 2019 Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive is now history. Members of The Arc of Oakland collectively helped the Knights of Columbus Pope Saint John XXIII Council #5436 in Waterford and the Bishop Galla-gher Council #2569 in Royal Oak. These funds will directly benefit children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities within our community. Each council is also required to forward 20% of what is collected locally to the Knights of Columbus state council for distribution to state-wide organizations serving those with special needs. In addition to Waterford and Royal Oak, several other Oakland County councils regularly donate a portion of their Tootsie Roll dollars to The Arc of Oakland County: Clarkston, Milford, West Bloomfield, Farmington, Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Highland, Rochester Hills, Holly, and Troy. Thanks, everyone!

Palm Sunday weekend occurred well into April this year, and the weather was decent for a change. Ten good friends and members of The Arc, myself included, volunteered their time! I would like to publicly rec-ognize the following folks for their enthusiastic support and commitment to the cause: Rosemary Rangi, Harry Mamassian, Randy Meono, Jerry Rubin, Jodi Rubin, David and Sandy Loeffler, Jackie Perantoni, John Kendziorski. Thank you and see you all next year!

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Transition to Adulthood: Key Considerationsby Tom Kendziorski / Updated May 2019

When your son or daughter with special needs, especially one with an intellectual or developmental disability, reaches the age of 18, many legal and financial benefit changes will occur. Here is a handy listing for your consideration:

• Apply at the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) for Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits the month after turning 18, which brings along automatic Medicaid eligibility;

o Note: Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) for a Disabled Adult Child (“DAC”) if one of the parents is: retired over age 62 and receiving SSA pension; or, disabled receiving their own SSDI; or, deceased. o Note: Medicare will come to the DAC beneficiary two years after receiving SSDI by way of a parent’s work record.

• Apply at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (“MDHHS”) for “Adult Home Help Services” once Medicaid is established; the individual must be found dependent on others for one or more activities of daily living;

• Apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (a.k.a., Food Stamps) at a local Michigan Department of Health and Human Services office. In most cases, it is not available to an individual with disability who is under age 22 and still living at home with parent(s). It is possible for a person with disability to receive Food Stamps prior to age 22 while still living in their parent’s home, but they must be enrolled in the “MI-CAP” program.

o The “Michigan Combined Application Project” (MiCAP) is a state Department of Health and Human Services program that lets a person obtain food benefits when he/she begins to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). An individual qualifies for this food assistance if he/she meets each of the following characteristics:

– Age 18 or older – Receives SSI and no other type of income – Meets the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of independent living (getting the full rate of SSI, currently $771 P per month – federal; $14 – state) – Resides in Michigan – Purchases and prepares food separately – Is not currently an active case in the regular Food Assistance Program (FAP)

• Apply to the Oakland Community Health Network (“OCHN”) for long-term developmental disabilities support services at either:

o MORC, Inc., or, o Community Living Services – Oakland.

OCHN Intake telephone number: 248-464-6363; must have Medicaid eligibility!

• All males, age 18, must register with the Selective Service System (www.sss.gov);

• Consider establishing a Power of Attorney, a Patient Advocate Designation, or perhaps a Guardianship, as may be determined appropriate;

• Special education: plan for Transition Services (post-high school program);• Obtain a state I.D. at a local Michigan Secretary of State office;

• Consider opening an ABLE Act savings account (Michigan on-line registration available at: www.MIABLE.org; national information at: www.ablenrc.org);

• Consider your estate plan, in particular, creating a “Special Needs Trust” to protect loss of future governmental benefits:

o Seek a lawyer referral to author the necessary documents. o Seek financial planning advice. o Write a “Letter of Intent.”

• When ready and in need of competitive employment support or post-high school continuing education support, contact Michigan Rehabilita-tion Services (“MRS”) to ‘open a case-file’ to develop an employment plan;

• Consider personal income tax issues by obtaining a copy of The Arc Michigan’s Annual Income Tax Guide. This booklet is written and pub-lished annually each around January 15th by Tom Kendziorski, Executive Director, The Arc of Oakland County. A free copy may be found on-line at the following link: http://thearcoakland.org/informational-resources/income-tax-guide/

3

Continued "From the Director's Chair" on Page 1

those rights specifically listed or enumerated on the court order are removed by a probate judge. You could have a partial guardianship over just medical matters, or covering many decision areas including: residential placement, educational-vocational issues, release of information (e.g., HIPAA), financial, and/or those involving legal contracts. A partial is only good for up to five years, and then the person must be re-evaluated and another hearing becomes necessary to continue the guardianship.

In a Michigan DD guardianship, you cannot have the right to authorize extraordinary or experimental medical procedures (e.g., sterilization, abortion, vasectomy, organ transplants). In some counties a probate judge will not allow a guardian to create a Do Not Resuscitate order for the person with a developmental disability without a court hearing.

Finally, another important aspect of a Michigan DD guardianship is the concept of a “Standby” guardian. Simply stated, this named individual has no rights, authorities or powers until the appointed guardian quits or dies. And, even then the Standby needs to bring in a death certificate to the court and petition to become the legal guardian. Some people think that a Standby can act in place of the appointed guardian whenever that person is out-of-town or generally unavailable. Nope. Michigan DD guardianships do not work in that manner.

An alternative to guardianship includes the individual with a disability making a “Power of Attorney” (POA), that is, creating a written instru-ment giving over their rights to another person or entity. This is not a court order and it may be revoked in writing at any time by the individual who made it in the first place. To create a valid POA, a person must be over 18 and be able to provide what is known as “informed consent.”

Let us know if you have further questions or about this particular topic. Enjoy the summer months and be safe. ……………. TFK

2019 Culture of Gentleness ConferenceAugust 22-23

Weber's Inn3050 Jackson Road

Ann Arbor, MI 48103

$200 for full two day conference; $125 for one-day registration

Karen Harvey, Assistant Executive Director of Quality Support at the ARC Baltimore, will be the keynote speaker presenting on the topic of trauma informed care.

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THE ARC OF OAKLAND COUNTY ADVOCACY HALL OF FAME AWARD

Liz Bauer

JANET and PAUL MacCORMACK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Marc Craig, President, Community Housing Network

PRESIDENT’S AWARD Sandy Dorey, Recreation Supervisor,

Oakland County Parks and Recreation

PUBLIC OFFICIAL AWARDJim Marleau, Retired State Senator

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDJoyce Gracey, Retired Receptionist, MORC, Inc.

SHELDON DUNN INSPIRATION AWARDMohamed Barrie

SHELDON DUNN INSPIRATION AWARDBrett Wagner

AL CARTER VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDJohn Torrone

LEONARD CERCONE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDLaura Williams-Frye, Special Education Adult Transition Teacher,

Brandon School District

GOLDEN DOVE AWARDThomai Gersh, Retired Supervisor of Special Education,

Wing Lake Developmental Center, Bloomfield Hills Schools

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARDTerminal Supply Company, Troy

PROVIDER OF THE YEAR AWARDNew Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Inc.

INCLUSION LEADERSHIP AWARDJeff Burnside, Teacher and Football Coach, Novi High School,

Novi Community School District

COMMUNITY LIVING AWARDPatsy Lipscomb, Home Manager, Rissman Group Home, Ortonville

ROBERT THOMAS SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARDAlex Kimmel, Owner / Trainer, The Self Determinator

VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARDLindsay Watson, Location Hiring Representative, Kroger 759,

White Lake

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE AWARDDawn Warwick, Home Manager, Tallahassee Group Home, Roches-

ter Hills

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AWARDPamela Pinkley, Para-Professional, Holly High School, Holly Area

Schools

Congratulations to the 2019 Dove Award Recipients!

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SOCIAL SECURITY WORK INCENTIVESby Penny Canada / updated for 2019 by Tom Kendziorski

The Social Security Administration (SSA) continues to identify ways to enhance their support of student transition outcomes for youth ages 14-25 with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Two Social Secu-rity programs that are significantly underused (and under advertised), for working SSI recipients are the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) and Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS).

Student Earned Income Exclusion (see: SSA P.O.M.S. at § SI 820.510, https://secure.ssa.gov/ poms.nsf/lnx/0500820510) is an income exclusion to all individuals receiving SSI, who are under the age of 22. During 2019, an eligible student can exclude up to $1,870 of earned income per month until the total annual exclusion of $7,550 is used; this is renewable each calendar year until the student remains under 22 years of age.

Eligibility Criteria

1. The person must be under 22 years of age, single or married.2. The person must be regularly attending school a. Grades 7-12 and Transition Program – 12 hrs/week b. College – 8 hrs/week (not credit hours)

The eligible person can also be another person in the household, who decreases potential income to the SSI re-cipient who is one of the following:

1. Eligible for SSI2. A working young parent (under 22, a student, and not on SSI) of an SSI eligible child, or3. The brother or sister in a household (under 22 and a student) of an eligible SSI sibling, or4. The spouse of a SSI eligible person5. A married couple, both eligible for SSI

How to apply:

Request, in writing, that a student is found eligible for the SEIE with the local SSA office. Attach a written statement from a school official verifying the person is a student and the required hours are being met. This program can be retroactive for up to two years and two months if the student is currently under 22 years of age.

Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS) (see: SSA P.O.M.S. at § SI 00870.001, https://secure.ssa.gov /poms.nsf/lnx/0500870000) is a provision for individuals receiving SSI benefits to set aside money and things he or she owns to pay for items or services needed to achieve a specific work goal.

Your goal must be a job that will produce sufficient earnings to reduce your dependency on Supplemental Se-curity Income (SSI) payments. A PASS is meant to help you acquire those items, services or skills you need so that you can compete for an entry level job in a professional, business or trade environment. You can contact your local Social Security office to find out whether a PASS is appropriate for you. A PASS may allow an individual to be eligible for SSI if current resources, such as SSDI, prohibit eligibility.

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The Arc Michigan 2019 Disability Policy

Seminar

June 28, 2019MSU University ClubLansing, MI 48910

Register online at —https://arcmi.org/event/dps/

2019

Seminar

Disability P o l i c y

June 28,

is now open Registration

UPDATE: This past January, I reported on a young lady who joined the U.S. Navy after I had won Supple-mental Security Income (SSI) benefits for her at an appeal hearing a few years earlier. I am happy to report that “Mary” is doing fine in her new Navy career! She graduated from the U.S. Navy’s “Master at Arms” (the Navy’s police force) school in San Antonio, Texas and just returned home to join her local re-serve unit located at the Selfridge ANGB in Mt. Clemens. She is looking to re-enter the civilian workforce in a security guard capacity or a return to active military service.

NEW: Another young man, again someone whom I successfully represented in a SSI appeals hearing, has been working part-time for the past couple of years. As of December 2018, “Greg” is now totally off of SSI because his part-time job at a local instant oil change store turned into a full-time position as a “Senior Technician.” He is now in line for a promotion to assistant manager! I am very proud of Greg.

ADVOCACY VIGNETTE “SUCCESS STORIES”(Examples of our direct advocacy service and how it impacts the lives of persons

with intellectual and developmental disabilities)By Thomas F. Kendziorski

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Knights of Columbus Select Councils from Oakland County

PLATINUM SPONSORS — $1,000

Dan & Linda CasaSantaThe Center for Special Needs Planning

[a division of Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras, P.C.]MORC, Inc.

John Keegan on behalf of CIBC Bank ($750)Harvey & Carole Rabinowitz ($750)

Mark & Ann Wiedelman ($750)

GOLD SPONSORS — $500

AfiaAnonymous Donor

Civitan Club of Pontiac, Inc. Susan Fezzey

S.S. Hans, M.D., P.C.New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Inc.

Jerry & Judy RubinMary T. Schmitt Smith with Lipson Neilson

Buss & Company, P.C. ($350)

Button Eddy Kolb & Sorrentino, P.L.L.C. ($350)

Ed, Mark and Janet Sherlitz ($350)Tom & Christine Lias ($300)

Karen Mellott ($300)

SILVER SPONSORS — $250

Ron & Pam CheliCommunity Homes, Inc.John & Bernie Duhoski

Expert Care Management ServicesGorman'sLinda A. Knox

Joseph McKevitzRichard & Kristine Mitchell

J Douglas OtlewskiProgressive Lifestyles, Inc.Tom & Judy Quakenbush

John P. SchoeffelBarbara Scott

Springhill Pooled TrustRobert Stern

Remembering Jennifer SummersThe Village of Rochester Hills

Wm Sullivan and Son Funeral Home

Alex and Rose Marie Adah ($200)Martina Browning ($200)

Kyle & Penny Canada ($200)

In Memory of AJ Fong ($200)Merck ($200)

Lynn Wert ($200)Joe & Lisa Kowalski ($150)

Joseph Qatsha ($150)

BRONZE SPONSORS — $100

Dolores Baran BorgWarner

Gloria Edna BrownLaura Gannon

Genesis In-Home Care LLCThomai & Cary Gersh

Tim HatfieldSuzanne MarquardtNadine Milostan

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Rexin & Mr. Perry Rexin

Secure Planning StrategiesSimply Good Kitchen

John Torrone

2019 SponsorshipsThe Arc would like to thank the following individuals, companies, & organizations who generously contributed

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2019 Silent Auction DonationsThe Arc would like to thank the following individuals, companies, & organizations who generously contributed

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Jo Ellen AlvarezAnonymous DonorThe Art Experience

Arthur Murray Dance Studio Astrein’s Creative Jewelers

For Jessica BaccusBeach House Day SpaBeans & Cornbread

BigaloraBill's

Bordine'sBorgWarner

Buddy's PizzaCarl's Golfland

Carol Lewis Day Spa Dan & Linda CasaSanta

CBS-TVRon & Pam Cheli

ComcastCommunity Housing Network

Cookies by DesignCostco

Cranbrook Academy of Art & Art Museum

Cranbrook Institute of ScienceThe Dearborn Inn

Detroit Institute of ArtsDetroit Lions

Detroit Princess Riverboat Detroit Public TVDetroit Red Wings

Detroit Symphony OrchestraDetroit Tigers

Emagine Entertainment English Gardens

Fieldstone WineryFrames Unlimited

Fringe Full Service SalonJohn & Lynn Gideon

Goldfish Swim School, Birmingham

Gordon Food Service, Inc.Gorman's

Griffin Claw Brewing CompanyBob Grunow & Mary Carpenter

Hagopian World of RugsTim Hatfield

The Henry Ford Museum / Greenfield VillageHoliday MarketHome DepotJ. Alexander'sJax Kar Wash

Jordan Valley Glassworks, Inc.Tom & Mary Kendziorski

Linda KnoxLisa KowalskiKruse & Muer

Lamphere CenterLeon and Lulu

Tom & Christine LiasLilly’s Seafood

LowesLucido Fine JewelryLucky Strike Novi

Mark Ridley's Comedy CastleSuzanne Marquardt

Joseph McKevitzMeadow Brook Hall at

Oakland UniversityMeadow Brook Theatre

Karen MellottMichigan Opera Theatre

Nadine MilostanMiner’s Den Jewelers

Morley Candy Makers / SandersMotorCity Casino HotelJoe & Allison Murowany

New Horizons Rehabilitation Services, Inc.

Oakland County Parks & Recreation

Paint Creek Center for the Arts Painting With A Twist

Panera BreadThe Parade Company

PerskePewabic Pottery

313 PresentsPRP Wine International

Harvey & Carole RabinowitzRoadside B&G

Michael & Sandy Robbins

Royal Oak Golf CenterJerry & Judy Rubin

Barbara ScottSimply Good KitchenSkate World of Troy

Slows BAR BQSomerset InnStagecrafters

Office of Congresswoman Haley Stevens

Streetside SeafoodTopgolfToyology

Judith TraceyTwin Beach Country Club

Vera BradleyThe Village of Rochester Hills

Wayne State University Maggie Allesee Department

of Theatre and DanceWDIV

The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit

The WhitneyMark & Ann Wiedelman

WJBKDiane Wolfe

WXYZWyndham Garden Sterling

HeightsLee Yambura