1. Positive Developments in Transition April 24, 2017
Denise Fitzgerald

2. 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

3. 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.)

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

5. 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

6. Outcome: Where are they now?
MassHealth supported

7. 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

8. 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- 

10. Approximate Outcomes 2014-2016

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. DDS Commissioner Elin HoweWw

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.”

18. 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.
initiatives-apr2016.pdf

19. 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

20. 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.

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

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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.

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

26. RESOURCES: Health and Transition
center/health/