“The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS) submits this transition plan in accordance with CFR 42 §441.301(c)(6). The state process leading to development of the plan included analysis of all settings where home and community-based services are provided under the Alaska’s 1915(c) home and community-based waiver programs. This plan describes the three components of SDS settings evaluation activities:
Part 1) the efforts made by SDS to inform and educate providers and other stakeholders about the changes to federal regulations, and to gain insight into how the changes will impact service delivery;
Part 2) the process used to determine the extent to which existing state regulations and practices encompass the requirements for home and community-based settings, and the actions taken to assess the home and community-based characteristics of the locations where services are delivered currently; and
Part 3) the state plan to achieve compliance with federal regulations.”
Our mission is to support the rights of those living with life complexities and disabilities to participate in all aspects of vocational services, while striving to eliminate barriers to employment. Together we form partnerships with individuals, families, employers, service providers, and the community at large to support the creation of expanded work options and meaningful employment, promote economic opportunities and independence, encourage self‐determination, and support the inclusion of people with complex lives into the community.
Alaska Children with Complex Medical Conditions (0263.R04.00)
“Provides care coordination, day hab, residential hab, respite, supported employment, chore, environmental mods, intensive active treatment, meals, nursing oversight and care management, specialized medical equipment, transportation for medically fragile individuals ages 0-21.”
(b) Therefore, it is the policy of the state and the purpose of this chapter to eliminate and prevent discrimination in employment, in credit and financing practices, in places of public accommodation, in the sale, lease, or rental of real property because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood. It is also the policy of the state to encourage and enable physically and mentally disabled persons to participate fully in the social and economic life of the state and to engage in remunerative employment. It is not the purpose of this chapter to supersede laws pertaining to child labor, the age of majority, or other age restrictions or requirements.”
Alaska HB 211: Making Alaska an Employment First State
An Act relating to the education and employment of individuals with disabilities.” Signed into law on 9/19/14 by Governor Sean Parnell. Sec. 23.15.095. Gainful employment of individuals with disabilities. (a) When providing vocational training, vocational rehabilitation, or employment placement of an individual with a disability, the agency’s primary objective and preferred outcome is to help the individual become gainfully employed in an integrated workplace where individuals with disabilities work with and alongside of individuals without disabilities.
“The Partnerships in Employment (PIE) Systems Change Grant is intended to increase integrated, competitive employment (ICE) opportunities for youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). As one of the eight states participating in PIE, Alaska’s Integrated Employment Initiative (AIEI) presented outcomes including the unanimous passage of Employment First Legislation, data systems enhancement to improve system efficacy, policy and regulation leveraging, close collaboration and partnership with other agencies, and the promotion of the State as a Model Employer (SAME) Task Force.”
“Summary: An Act establishing a program for financial accounts for individuals with disabilities; exempting the procurement of contracts for the program from the State Procurement Code; exempting certain information on participants in the program from being subject to inspection as a public record; providing that an account under the program for an individual with a disability is not a security; allowing a state to file a claim against an individual’s financial account under the program to recover Medicaid payments after the individual’s death; and providing for an effective date. The bill was enrolled on July 8, 2016.”
Alaska DOH Senior and Disabilities Community Based Grants
Who we are
The Division of Senior and Disabilities Services Grants Unit provides funding, in the form of grants, to agencies across Alaska. These agencies provide programs and services that help seniors (Alaskans ages 60 and older) and people with disabilities within their communities.
Our grant partners deliver essential services and programs for:
People with developmental disabilities (DD)
Caregivers of seniors and/or people with disabilities
People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD)
Seniors
People who need assistance at home due to disability or health conditions
People who have experienced a brain injury
People who do not qualify for, are waiting for, or need only minimal support from Home and Community-Based Services under the Medicaid Waiver program
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation “Strategic Plan FFY 2017-2020”
~~“DVR believes in: • The empowering value of employment in an individual’s life. • Honoring and respecting each individual’s strengths, skills, choices, abilities and cultural identity. • Developing strong partnerships with Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation programs, schools, job-centers and centers for independent living. • Delivering high quality vocational rehabilitation services. • Employing and developing highly qualified and skilled rehabilitation staff. • The principles of stewardship in the use of public resources.”
“Our mission is to promote health, well being and safety for individuals with disabilities, seniors and vulnerable adults by facilitating access to quality services and supports that foster independence, personal choice and dignity.”
