Missouri SB 174: ABLE (2015)
“There is hereby created the ‘Missouri Achieving a Better Life Experience [ABLE] Program'”.
State: Missouri
Missouri Connections Career Development and Planning Program
“Missouri Connections is a comprehensive, online, career development and planning program that is provided free of charge to all Missouri citizens. Funded by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, this program supports the career development efforts of schools, community organizations, and adult job seeker programs. Missouri Connections helps individuals learn about their talents, skills, and interests and makes the connection between planning for continued education and the work world.”
Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services
“For over 40 years, MACDDS has promoted local county initiatives in developmental disabilities services. Comprised of 65 county boards, 26 related provider organizations and 3 special purpose entities, our members lead local initiatives that have a statewide impact, improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. MACDDS works to assure services and supports for people with developmental disabilities continue to be planned and carried out at the local level.”
Missouri Assistive Technology Council
“The mission of Missouri Assistive Technology is to increase access to assistive technology for Missourians with all types of disabilities, of all ages.
Programs and initiatives of Missouri Assistive Technology are directed by the Missouri Assistive Technology Council, which was established by state statute in 1993. The Council is charged to serve as an advocate for policies, regulations and programs to establish a consumer-responsive, comprehensive assistive technology service delivery system. The Council meets at least four times a year, reports annually to the Governor and the general assembly on Council activities to increase access to assistive technology, and provides programmatic direction for all activities and services.”
Missouri Business Associated Student Education (BASE) Project
“What is the B.A.S.E. Project?
Community-based vocational and academic program, serving students:
- Within the Springfield Public School District
- 16-years of age or older
- With an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Goal
To provide students’ with opportunities to develop career awareness, exploration, assessment, and positive social skills necessary for successful integration in the world of work and society.”
MO Project SEARCH Employer-Based-Transition Training
“Employer-Based-Transition Training/Project SEARCH(EBTT/PS) programs are one-year school-to-work transition training programs for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)eligible youth (age 18-21)with a variety of intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet the VR criteria for most significant disabilities (MSD). Youth must be enrolled in a public school district that has an approved EBTT/PS program, must have completed credits necessary for high school graduation, be in their final year of high school, and have a goal of attaining competitive integrated employment.
EBTT/PS programs are a collaboration of required partners at the local level, which includes the host business, a special education teacher/certified instructor (school district), a VR counselor (VRC), and an employment/job development specialist from a community rehabilitation provider (CRP).
EBTT/PS programs are typically hosted in a healthcare, government or business setting where total immersion in the workplace facilitates the teaching and learning process, as well as the acquisition of employability and marketable job skills. Youth participate in one to three internships/rotations (based on program requirements)in various departments within a host business over the course of one school year. There is no expectation for the host business to hire, and the host business is not obligated to offer youth an employment opportunity before, during or after the training program has been completed.”
Missouri Transition Coalition
“About Us
Students and youth with disabilities preparing to graduate high school and enter the workforce or continue their education often need a little extra support and almost always with transition planning … which means the educators, counselors, and families supporting them also need more professional development than is typically provided by a one-time in-service training.
That’s where we come in.
With specialized professional development, technical assistance, and research-based practices and resources, all tailored to your unique needs, we support you so you can support them.”
Missouri Ticket to Work
“The Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Act of 1999 established an employment program for people who want to go to work that receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The program was designed to remove barriers that kept people with disabilities from choosing to work for fear of losing health care coverage. The Ticket to Work program is voluntary, and it increases opportunities and choices for Social Security (SS) disability beneficiaries to obtain employment, vocational rehabilitation, and other support services from public and private providers, employers, or other organizations. SS provides a ticket to disability benefits to use in obtaining services and jobs through Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation or from an approved Employment Network. Though SS has the overall program authority, MAXIMUS, Inc. serves as the program manager.”
Missouri Medicaid Money Follows the Person
The overall goal of MFP is “to support people who have disabilities and those who are aging to move from a nursing facility or habilitation center to a quality community setting that meets their needs and wants.”
The objectives of MFP—My Life, My Way, My Community are:
• to move people from a facility to the community;
• identify and eliminate barriers that prevent people from being able to move to the community;
• improve the ability of MO HealthNet to provide in-home services;
• and to ensure that there is continuous quality improvement of in-home services provided.
Missouri Interagency Transition Team (MITT)
“The Missouri Interagency Transition Team (MITT) formed in 2007 by the Office of Special Education at the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education to increase interagency collaboration at the state, regional, and local levels. This state transition team has met quarterly to address data-driven goals for improvement and collaboration with the shared vision of improving employment, independent living, and postsecondary education outcomes for Missouri students with disabilities.”
“Consisting of a diverse membership from a variety of state agencies concerned with transition, the MITT provides a venue and mechanism to share information, network, and partner to coordinate professional development activities.”