Positive Developments in Transition April 24, 2017 Denise Fitzgerald

What You Will Learn Today “State of the State” in planning-MA Support Intensity Scale WIOA-federal funds Blueprint for Success Real Lives Community Imperative Community Rule-developments and challenges Campaign for Shared Living Select sections of the TLL to highlight here Person-centered planning Ask audience demographics

Begin with the end in mind... - Stephen Covey What are the possibilities for the future? The next school transition (pre-school to elementary, middle school to high school, etc.) Post-school transition (adult work and residential placement, post-secondary education, etc.)

Sample Transition Planning Timeline Individualized, with common factors Refer to packet

How can we continue to assist with transition at young age? Maximize Community Opportunities Encourage Community Networks-In “home” communities Document Successes from young age Promote literacy-Print, Braille, tactile Expose and Expand on technology as it relates to work, leisure Teach to WAIT Reduce dependency on direct staff intervention

Outcome: Where are they now? MassHealth supported

Outcome: Where are they now? Day Habilitation Programs – therapeutic supports- Medicaid/MASSHEALTH funded Community Based Day Support Programs (CBDS) – MA-DDS, legislative allocation Supported Work Programs- Autism Waiver-DDS (funded?) MassHealth supported

Outcome: Where are they now? Training programs for specific skill development- Project Search, IFB Industries Transition Programs –Think College, Threshold at Lesley U , Chapel Haven, Berkshire Hills Music Academy 2 Year Colleges 4 year traditional College Home all day/night- 

Approximate Outcomes 2014-2016

Understanding Processes for Obtaining Services-the details….. In MA: Chapter 688 (better known as the "Turning 22" law) was enacted in 1984 to provide a planning process for young adults with severe disabilities as they leave special education and transition into the adult service system. LEA (Home school) responsible for filing Get Secondary demographic info from Lynne E. Get Lower School demographic info from Peg Beck and/or Betsey Porter. Lisa DiBonaventura

Understanding Processes for Obtaining Services Eligibility (determined by Assessments) is a major factor in determining: Day programming Residential options Employment supports Relationships with agencies are important……. Family Preferences; cultural differences

Support Intensity Scale-SIS a tool Rolling out in MA-DDS Assesses what people CAN do- What supports would be necessary for them to achieve each activity: frequency, time, type SIS is Scored- demographics +used to match services

DDS Commissioner Elin Howe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAFlXpbMW Ww

Communities Despite the move toward community-based services, the people the Department supports are "in“ communities but too often are not yet "of" the community. Much of a person's time is spent with paid staff and family members. - Howe 2014

In 2014 legislation: the Real Lives Bill ……to enhance participant direction options where individuals can have control over an allocation of funding to arrange their own customized supports and the authority to hire and fire the staff who provide those supports……… There are Mechanisms to assist with planning.

Case studies-Perkins grads JOHN OWNS Hot Dog cart Participates with family/caregivers in selling hotdogs 2x month Lives at home/socially active, busy with church/caregivers family developed schedule 1:1 staff chosen to accompany him SANTON Plays Piano gigs at local eateries/locales Family does all scheduling Lessons/College classes Lives at home/socially inactive “Busy with gym, piano.”

Community Rule-Massachusetts Interpretation In 2014, Center Medicaid/Medicare Services CMS issued a new set of rules related to all settings where HCBS waiver services are delivered Essentially it is the federal government's version of "addressing the community imperative," by prescribing a set of outcomes that deal with social integration and personal control that must be achieved by March 17, 2019. http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dds/dds- initiatives-apr2016.pdf

Community Rule No more than 4 in group homes No clustered/isolated settings 14 agencies developed compliance plans-2019 New England Villages The Ledges Evergreen

Campaign for Shared Living Shared Living is a residential model that enables an individual to move into the home of a community member who provides on-going support as indicated in the person's Individual Support Plan. There are a number of qualified Shared Living provider agencies who contract with the Department to recruit, screen, train and then match potential community members with individuals who are in need of and choose this service.

In November 2013, Blueprint for Success: mutual plan developed by: Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP), The Arc of Massachusetts

Blueprint for Success cont…….. Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to increase integrated employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) served by DDS. The foundation of the plan or employment initiative emphasizes the importance of and benefits received by all when individuals with disabilities work in the community.

Positive Developments in Transition WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) In 2014, President Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This law, passed with overwhelming bipartisan majorities, is helping transform federally funded job training programs across the country to ensure everyone can get the skills and training they need. Karen McCormack

Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act WIOA is landmark legislation that is designed to strengthen and improve our nation's public workforce system and help get Americans, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers and help employers hire and retain skilled workers.

MCB/DDS Partnership Provides Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services for Individuals served by DDS, coordinates $ from APH quota to programs www.mass.gov/dds/visionloss

RESOURCES: Health and Transition http://www.pacer.org/transition/learning- center/health/ http://www.familyvoices.org/states http://www.gottransition.org/