1. Basic Primer for AT Funding SC Assistive Technology Expo March 30, 2006 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Presented by: Sherry Caldwell, CBIS, LBSW, M.Ed

2. Presenter Information Sherry Caldwell CBIS, LBSW, M.Ed SC DDSN Head and Spinal Cord Injury Division PO Box 4706 Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 898-9681 Fax: (803) 898-9653 Email: scaldwell@ddsn.sc.gov

3. Overview n Serves persons with MR, Autism, TBI, SCI and conditions related to each of these four disabilities n DSN Board in your county is the initial point of entry for all services funded by DDSN with exception of TBI and SCI n Referrals for TBI and SCI must be made by contacting USC School of Medicine @ 1-866- 867-3864 n If a child is under 36 months of age, contact BabyNet (1-800-868-0404) to make a referral

4. Overview n Once eligibility for DDSN services is made, the kinds of assistance or supports a person needs must be determined n DDSN authorizes spending based on the level of need and the availability of resources n Access to services is based on the availability of resources n Certain requirements must be met in order to receive funding including funding for AT

5. AT Funding Through DDSN n Individual and Family Support Services n Mental Retardation/Related Disabilities Home and Community Based Waiver n Head and Spinal Cord Injury Home and Community Based Waiver

6. Individual and Family Support Funding n Provides assistance to families in caring for a person that is eligible for DDSN services in order to avoid out- of-home placement n Available when services cannot be funded by public agencies or community resources

7. Requirements for IFSF n Financial information, monthly household income and expenses n Person’s SSI and any other income is part of the financial review process n Prioritized to assist persons with the greatest needs n A person must contact his/her Early Interventionist or Service Coordinator n AT assessment and equipment may be provided as funding is available

8. MR/RD Waiver n Diagnosed with Mental Retardation or a Related Disability n Eligible to receive Medicaid or already qualify for Medicaid n Meet ICF/MR Level of Care n Choose to receive in-home services and choose qualified providers of services n Be allocated a slot for Waiver services (currently have a Waiting List)

9. MR/RD Waiver Funding n AT Funding is based on the identified need of the person and within limits related to available funding n No other funding/existing resources available for AT

10. AT Services n Devices, controls, appliances, items necessary for life support, ancillary supplies, equipment and durable and non- durable equipment that is not available through the Medicaid State Plan that provides medical or remedial benefit to the person

11. Head and Spinal Cord Injury Waiver n Diagnosed with a head injury, spinal cord injury or both or a similar disability not associated with the process of a progressive degenerative illness, dementia or a neurological disorder related to aging, regardless of the age of onset n Become eligible for Medicaid or already qualify n Meet Level of Care n Depend on others to provide or assist with critical health care needs n Limited to persons up to age 65 n Be allocated a Waiver slot (currently Waiting List)

12. HASCI Waiver/AT n AT Funding is based on the identified need of the person and within limits related to available funding n No other funding/existing resources available for AT

13. HASCI Waiver/AT Funding n Specialized medical supplies and equipment to include devices, controls or appliances which enable a person to increase his/her abilities to perform activities of daily living

14. Internet Resources n www.state.sc.us/ddsn