The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) is a three-year federal grant-funded program that improves education, training, employment opportunities, and employment outcomes for people who are unemployed, underemployed, and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. In 2012, Indiana was awarded a Round 3 DEI grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration. The grant ended in 2015.
Provides adult day, prevocational, rent and food for unrelated live-in caregiver, residential hab and support, respite, supported employment follow along, OT, PT, psychological therapy, speech/language therapy, adult foster care, behavioral support, community based hab-group, community based hab-individual, community transition, electronic monitoring, environmental mods, facility based hab-group, facility based hab-individual, facility based support services, family and caregiver training, intensive behavior intervention, music therapy, PERS, recreational therapy, specialized medical equipment and supplies, transportation, workplace assistance for individuals w/autism, ID, DD ages 0 – no max age.
“Effective March 17, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have issued regulations that define the settings in which it is permissible for states to pay for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that individuals receive Medicaid HCBS in settings that are integrated and that support full access to the greater community. This includes opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive and integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources, and receive services in the community to the same degree as individuals who do not receive HCBS. These changes will maximize the opportunities for participants in HCBS programs to have access to the benefits of community living and to receive services in the most integrated setting. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has created a Statewide Transition Plan to assess compliance with the HCBS Rule and identify strategies and timelines for coming into compliance with the new rule as it relates to all FSSA HCBS programs. States must be in full compliance with the federal requirements by the time frame approved in the Statewide Transition Plan but no later than March 17, 2019.”
“A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the legislative council to assign the topic of an Employment First Program, which promotes and expands quality, community employment outcomes for all people with disabilities to an appropriate study committee.”
“Be it resolved by the Senate of the 14 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate urges the legislative council to assign the topic of an Employment First Program, which promotes and expands quality, community employment outcomes for all people with disabilities to an appropriate study committee.”
The State of Employment First in Indiana
“In January 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published regulations to better define the settings in which states can provide Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The HCBS final rule became effective March 17, 2014. The HCBS settings final rule, along with additional guidance and fact sheets, is available on the CMS Home and Community-Based Services site.
The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that members receive Medicaid HCBS in settings that are integrated in and support full access to the greater community. This includes opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive and integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources and receive services in the community to the same degree as individuals who do not receive HCBS. CMS expects all states to review current HCBS programs and to develop a transition plan providing an assessment, strategies and timelines for compliance with the new rules.
The programs currently under review include 1915(c) HCBS Waivers and 1915(i) HCBS State Plan programs operated by the following divisions within the Family and Social Services Administration.”
ABLE savings accounts for persons with a disability. This bill creates the “Achieving a Better Life Experience” (ABLE) authority. Establishes the ABLE board of the authority. Provides that the authority may establish a qualified ABLE program under which a person may make contributions for a table year for the benefit of an eligible individual with a disability to an ABLE account to meet the qualified disability expenses of the designated beneficiary in compliance with federal law. Sets forth duties and powers of the authority and the board. Establishes a general operating fund, endowment fund, and trust fund.
“When an individual discloses, he or she is intentionally releasing personal information about him or herself for a specific purpose. Some personal information, such as one’s Social Security number, banking records, or medical records may be important to keep confidential. It is important to keep in mind that the decision to disclose is a personal one and should be helpful to the individual. Remember that it is not essential that a person with a disability divulge all personal information about his or her disability. What is most important and helpful is to provide information about how his or her disability affects his or her capacity to learn and perform effectively, and the environment, supports, and services he or she will need in order to access, participate in, and excel in his or her job, studies, and community. The person with a disability must decide what and how much of this sensitive information is necessary to reveal in order to obtain the needed accommodations.”
“Welcome
Following the passage of Indiana’s ABLE authorizing legislation in 2016, the Indiana Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Authority approved and implemented the state’s qualified ABLE program, INvestABLE Indiana. ABLE accounts, also known as 529A accounts, allow for individuals with disabilities to save for their future and pay for disability related expenses without jeopardizing access to public benefits. The intent of these accounts is to ease financial burdens on individuals with disabilities to allow for tax-free savings to cover qualified expenses including, but not limited to, education, transportation, housing and medical needs.”