New Horizons Un-Limited Inc. New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson recently approved Arkansas' request to expand a Medicaid demonstration program that allows eligible beneficiaries with long-term disabilities to take control of their personal care services and expenses. The new program, "Independent Choices" provides Medicaid beneficiaries who qualify for personal care services with a monthly allowance for costs associated with this care. Most state Medicaid programs require that beneficiaries hire an an attendant from a traditional agency and prohibit family members from being paid for care provided. Under this program, beneficiaries can hire and pay family members, friends and neighbors whom they trust to assist with intimate personal care tasks. According to HHS Secretary Thompson, "people with long-term disabilities and their families know best what services will allow them to live at home and remain active in community life. This demonstration gives eligible beneficiaries in Arkansas the ability to exercise choice, control and responsibility -- a major goal of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative to promote greater independence for all Americans with disabilities." To learn more about Independent Choices, visit the Arkansas Department of Human Services at (501) 682-8650.
Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund offers funds to provide care and rehabilitative services to citizens of Georgia with brain or spinal cord injuries. Eligible applicants will have sustained a brain or spinal cord injury, been a citizen of Georgia at the time of injury and during the provision of services, exhausted all other insurance and governmental funding sources and be willing to accept services from the Trust Fund Commission's list of qualified Consumer Organizations and Resources (CORs), or have his/her own providers reviewed and determined by the Commission to be qualified. Care and rehabilitative services considered for disbursements include, but are not limited to: Information and Referral, Employment-related expenses not otherwise covered under other applicable laws or funding sources, Housing, Health care and personal assistance, Assistive technology, Transportation, Recreation, Respite, Rehabilitation therapies or expenses and Emergency assistance. The Commission will accept Consumer Application Forms during the following periods: Period I: October 1 to November 15, 2002, Period II: January 2 to February 14, 2003, Period III: April 1 to June 13, 2003. For more information or to receive an application, call (404) 651-5112.
Virginia is for Families is offering a new workshop for people with developmental disabilities and their families, called Ordinary Leaders. Nationally known expert Dennis Harkins of the consulting firm, A Simpler Way, will lead the workshop, scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2002 from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Charlottesville Doubletree Hotel. Workshop participants will explore ways in which they can lead the way in systems change and be full partners with the public system in directing the way in which their support services are provided. If you are interested in taking an active role in advocating for greater efficiency in the provision of disability services, contact Dana Yarbrough at (804) 222-1945 or PTPofVA@aol.com to learn how you can register for this informative workshop.
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority has announced the creation of a new priority system for accessible housing in which Fairfax County residents with disabilities will be favored in the application process for accessible "affordable dwelling units" or ADUs. The previous system, a lottery system, allowed non-disabled residents to rent accessible units if their name was drawn before that of a resident with a disability. The new priority system will prioritize applications from households with one or more physically disabled members, in which the income is low to moderate. Additionally, families with one or more children under the age of 18 will be given first priority. There is currently a waiting list for ADUs of over 3000 people with disabilities. The county Housing Authority is also encouraging the building of more low-cost units that include accessibility features for people with disabilities. For more information, call (703) 246-5185.
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