1. The Essentials for Sustaining an AT Demonstration & Device Loan Program : Tools for Life’s Approach Carolyn P. Phillips & Doris Chadwell Georgia Department of Labor Assistive Technology Project, Tools for Life phone: 404-638-0384 www.gatfl.org

2. Begin with the End in Mind!

3. Agenda  A Little about TFL Activities  Finding and Leveraging Resources  Strategies for identifying resources  Methods for bringing in additional support  Collaborating and partnering with other organizations  Building in program efficiencies

4. Why is this Important to TFL?  In Georgia, an estimated 1,250,000 people have one or more disabilities.  Of these, nearly 14% or 656,097 have severe disabilities requiring one or more kinds of assistive technology (LaPlante et al, Technology and Disabilities, vol. 6, pp. 17-28, 1997, and the Census Report) to live, learn, work, or play more independently. assistive technology

5. AT Demo & Loan Library Structure  Statewide with Regional Centers  Work with the Experts  Targeted Communities  Followed the Interest & Funding Streams  Assistive Technology Resource Centers  Regional Approach  IL and Community Centers  Benefit from ReBoot & FODAC Reutilization Programs  Centralized  Distributes some AT to ATRCs for Loan & Demo  Web Based Loan Library

6. Current ATRCs & Reuse Centers

7. STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL OF GEORGIA, INC Combining Efforts to Better Serve Georgia! LIFE ILC BAIN ILC Multiple Choices ILC DisAbility Link NW

8. A Holistic Approach to Direct AT Service Activities:  AT Loan Library  AT Demos – Promote Choice  AT Reuse  AT Evaluations & Training  Resource and Assistance Georgia’s AT Act Program Georgia’s AT Solution Site: www.gatfl.org

9. Advantages to this Strategy  Built for Sustainability  Building Capacity in local Communities  Interagency Collaboration Agreements  Saving Dollars in the Long run  Bulk Purchasing  Tools for Life has found that the majority of Georgians with disabilities need the opportunity to try out different devices/tools before purchasing them, as well as assistance on a local level in finding resources.  Promoting the development of alternative funding sources such as : Equipment exchanges and recycling, Loan Programs, and Legislation.  Follow Trends  Trained Volunteer Base – people with and without disAbilities

10. Early Challenges & Learning Opportunities  Finding Funding & Creating Sustainability  Establishing Policies & Procedures  Finding and Growing Partnerships  Growing Knowledge and Skills  Reducing Staff turn-over  Making it Easy for Access

11. Strategies for Identifying Resources  Identify/Create a Map of Potential Strategic Partners  Share your Vision and desire to Partner  Town Hall Meetings  Presentations to Organizations & Agencies  Create Opportunities for folks to help as they can  Tip!  Think Statewide and Locally  Pilot Collaboration on Local Level before moving Statewide  Consider:  Who has similar Mission?  Who could benefit from Sharing this resource?  Who has a need?  Who has funding?  Who has Clients/Consumers?  What points could you collaborate to create a win-win-win situation?

12. Strategies for Identifying Resources  Communicate Your Vision with Potential Strategic Partners  Plant Seeds and allow for growth  EXAMPLE: TFL tried to partner with the SILC 10 years ago. In the Fall of 2006 we established a stronger relationship and the SILC provided $32,000 for AT Demos and Loan Libraries in Rural Ga. We are actively growing this relationship.

13. Strategies for Identifying Resources  Georgia’s Identified Active Strategic Partners:  Statewide  Vocational Rehabilitation  Georgia ATRC & ReBoot Statewide Consortium  Department of Education  Georgia OTs, PTs and SLPs Associations  Council on Aging  Gov. DD Council  Statewide Independent Living Council  Aging and Disability Resource Centers  ARC of Georgia  Brian Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund  ATA  ATIA  Individual Vendors  IT Companies

14. Strategies for Identifying Resources  Georgia’s Identified Active Strategic Partners:  Local  Earlier Intervention Programs – Babies Can’t Wait  ALS, MS Society, Huntington’s Disease Association, Learning Disabilities Association, etc.  Local School Systems  Walton Rehabilitation, Emory Rehabilitation, Shepherd Spinal Center, University of Georgia  Teaching Colleges and Schools for OTs & SLPs  ATA – Tech-Able Member and Shares with other ATRCs

15. Strategies for Identifying Resources  Georgia’s Identified Potential Strategic Partners:  Communicating with:  Statewide  Earlier Intervention Programs – Babies Can’t Wait  Medicaid  DHR - Division of MR/DD/Substance Abuse  ALS, MS and HD Associations  Georgia Employer Committee  One Stops & Career Centers  Local  More School Systems  More ILCs  Parent Mentor Groups  Interagency Transition Councils

16. Strategic Partners are Valuable!  Space & Utilities – Donated  Staff – Shared & some Contractors  Support – for Funding Initiatives  Vendors – Demos and lower cost AT  IT Companies – Demos and Grants  Web-Site  Mindspring - Reduced Cost  Designed and Maintained - TFL

17. Methods for bringing in Additional Support Activities  Tip!  Grow the Seeds You have Planted! Nurture relationships and partnerships.  Establish fee for rental for high tech items.  Establish fee to support maintenance.  Establish fee-for-service for AT Evaluation and Training related to AT in your Loan Library.  Keep it Current and Clean – Visually Pleasing.  Stick by Your Word – to partners and Vendors!

18. Methods for bringing in Additional Support Activities Tip! Grow the Seeds You have Planted! Nurture these relationships and partnerships. Establish fee for rental for high tech items Establish fee to support maintenance Establish fee-for-service for AT Evaluation and Training related to AT in your Loan Library. Methods - Additional Support Activities  Diversify Funding Sources –  Federal Funds –  AT Statewide Program $45,000 for 4 ATRCs and ReBoot  State Funds  $197,000 from State Legislature  Local Funds/Contributions  Space & Utilities -  Some Grants  Private Grants  Freedman  MS  HP  Provide Opportunities for People to Support –  “Adopt AT” Program  Buy an Item in “Memory of” or “Honor of”  Share Resources –  If You Build it….

19. Collaborating and Partnering  Georgia’s Approach:  Statewide Contributions:  Vocational Rehabilitation – Consumers, Professional AT Expertise at no cost, pay fee for High Tech Items, pay fee-for-service for some AT Evaluations and many Trainings  Georgia ATRC & ReBoot Statewide Consortium – Lead for the successful Initiative to get $197,000 PER YEAR from State for AT Demo, AT Reuse & Loan Library Activities.  Department of Education - Professional AT Expertise at no cost and pay fee for High Tech Items  Georgia OTs, PTs and SLPs Associations - Consumers, Professional AT Expertise at no cost, pay fee for High Tech Items (AAC devices), pay fee for maintaining of some devices

20. Collaborating and Partnering  Georgia’s Approach:  Statewide Contributions:  Statewide Independent Living Council – Consumers, provided $32,000 to expand AT Demo and Loan Library Activities in rural GA and supports efforts to keep $197,000 from State  Aging and Disability Resource Centers – Consumers, pay fee-for-service for some AT Evaluations and Trainings and supports efforts to keep $197,000 from State  ARC of Georgia - Consumers and supports efforts to keep $197,000 from State  Brian Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund – Consumers, pay fee for High Tech Items (AAC devices), pay fee for maintaining of some devices and pay fee-for- service for AT Evaluations and Trainings

21. Building in Program Efficiencies Lessons Learned  Consumer Directed  Provider and Vendor Input  Interagency Planning in Beginning  Strong Data Collection in Beginning - Database  Solid Policies & Procedures  Interagency Memorandum of Understanding  Invest in Training  Pilot Projects  Learn from Others  Make it Easy to Access Services

22. Building in Program Efficiencies  Consider & Plan:  Repair and maintenance  Vendor Warranties  Develop Skills within Community  Policies & Procedures  Be Consistent  Details Matter Here!  Liability  Surplus Plan  Insurance Policies  Easy to Access – Web Based and Walk-in

25. Begin with the End in Mind Work Smarter ~ Not Harder!