“In an effort to assist State Mental Health Authorities, in close collaboration with Single State Authorities, in planning and implementing activities to foster increased employment opportunities for people with mental health and/or substance use disorders, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and its Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) created the Employment Development Initiative (EDI).
This initiative provides, on a competitive basis, modest funding awards in the form of fixed-price subcontracts between the Contractor, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), and the States, Territories and District of Columbia. In addition, each awardee will receive two consultant technical assistance visits coordinated and paid through the Contractor's portion of the project." Vermont received and EDI grant to support its SE Champions program.
The state Medicaid plan details how Vermont has designed its program within the broad requirements for federal funding. Vermont submits the following State plan for the medical assistance program, and hereby agrees to administer the program in accordance with the provisions of this State plan, the requirements of Titles XI and XIX of the Act, and all applicable Federal regulations and other official issuances of the Department.
“The 12th annual 2017 Transition and Career Planning Conference for K-12 Professionals will address highlighting the importance of “igniting the imagination” as students, educators, and parents create the developmental pathway through personalized learning, proficiencies, and the strengths, challenges, and career aspirations of each student. This year’s conference is sponsored by Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, Vermont State GEAR UP, Vermont Agency of Education, VocRehab Vermont, and the Vermont School Counselors Association. An announcement will be sent out in mid-April when online registration is open.”
Vermont Aging & Disability Resource Connections: No Wrong Door
“Vermont’s Aging Disabilities Resource Connections (ADRC) initiative provides people of all ages, disabilities, and incomes with the information and support they need to make informed decisions about long term services and supports. ADRC builds on the infrastructure of eight ‘core partners’. These core partners include the five Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL), the Brain Injury Association of Vermont (BIAVT), and Vermont 211.
The ADRC provides a wide variety of assistance to consumers, their caregivers, and their families to help Vermonters achieve their individual goals. The VT ADRC supports “no wrong door” access to long-term services and supports- reducing the need to contact multiple agencies in order to get the assistance they need, when they need it.”
Vermont State System of Care Plan for Developmental Disabilities Services
“The Plan is intended to help people with developmental disabilities, their families, advocates, service providers and policy makers understand how resources for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are managed. It lays out criteria for determining who is eligible for developmental disabilities services and prioritizes the use of resources. It is specifically intended to spell out how legislatively-appropriated funding will be allocated to serve individuals with significant developmental disabilities. The Plan guides the appropriate use of this funding to help people achieve their personal goals and to continuously improve the system of supports for individuals with developmental disabilities within available resources.”
Specifically addresses employment and youth transition goals. This document also provides funding rules, including that funds cannot be used to fund sheltered workshops for those receiving employment services.
Vermont DDSD Health and Wellness Guidelines (2017)
“The Developmental Disabilities Services Division is responsible to ensure the health and safety of people who receive Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)-funded developmental services.
One of the key purposes of the Health and Wellness Guidelines is to provide the tools necessary to advocate for the best possible medical care for people with developmental disabilities. The Guidelines will not address all possible health conditions and individual circumstances vary. Therefore, the role of the individual and those that support him/her to advocate for good health care is important. It is also important that those who help the individual be knowledgeable about health issues and receive the necessary training to gain this knowledge.”
Vermont Medicaid Manual for Developmental Disabilities Services (2017)
“Medicaid Services in Vermont are provided under Global Commitment for Health 1115 Medicaid Waiver an agreement with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It is a matching entitlement program that provides medical care to aged, blind, or disabled persons and low-income families with limited resources. It is financed by a combination of both federal and state dollars. The Vermont General Assembly appropriates the state funds.
This manual pertains to developmental disabilities services offered through the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Services Division. It is intended to provide guidance to Designated Agencies and Specialized Services Agencies (SSA), Supportive Intermediary Service Organization (ISO) and Fiscal Employer/Agent (FE/A) regarding eligible service activity, procedures for billing and documentation requirements.”
Vermont DDCD Five-Year State Plan (2017 to 2021) Goals and Objectives
Section Plan Goals
“Objective 1.1: In collaboration with partner organizations, bring health outcomes for people with developmental disabilities closer to those of people without developmental disabilities, especially in underserved, rural, low income Vermont communities.
Objective 1.2: Promote the use of available programs for competitive employment, education, and healthcare for Vermonters with developmental disabilities especially those living in underserved, rural, low income Vermont communities.
Objective 1.3: Support initiatives that position Vermont as a leader in developing and expanding entrepreneurial opportunities and innovative approaches to job training for people with developmental disabilities, especially those living in underserved, rural, low income Vermont communities.
Objective 1.4: Promote peer-to-peer training and support–including supported decision making and independent options counseling –as a highly valued part of person-and-family-centered care planning for people with developmental disabilities and their family members, especially those living in underserved, rural, low income Vermont communities.
Objective 1.5: Support families advocating for best practices in special education services for their child, including improving access to legal services, in underserved, rural, low income Vermont communities.”
Vermont Executive Order 02-16: Disability Employment Working Group
“BE IT RESOLVED that I, Peter Shumlin, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor, do hereby order and direct that a “Disability Employment Working Group” be established under the auspices of the Governor’s Workforce Equity and Diversity Council (“GWEDC’) as follows:
The Disability Employment Working Group shall make recommendations regarding hiring practices to increase access to state employment for individuals with disabilities. The Working Group shall consider, among other strategies: ·
1. Partnering with employment organizations and other community groups to identify and recruit qualified applicants and promote state employment opportunities;
2. Reviewing current training programs for all state employees to ensure coverage of disability etiquette and best practices;
3. Implementing the “Progressive Employment” model, in which participants are exposed to a series of short-term work experiences, through the use of internships or trainee programs;
4. Identifying and accessing short-term skills training in high-demand areas to meet state workforce demands; and
5. Recommending further steps to bring individuals with disabilities into state employment at a rate that is as close as possible to that of the general population of working Vermonters, and comparing progress made each year to increase hiring opportunities and the integrated employment of those with disabilities, while maintaining the confidentiality of employees’ personal information.”
Vermont State System of Care Plan for Developmental Disabilities Services, FY 2018- FY 2020
~~The mission of the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) is to make Vermont the best state in which to grow old or to live with a disability; with dignity, respect and independence.
Core Principles of DAIL
• Person-Centered The individual will be at the core of all plans and services. • Respect Individuals, families, providers and staff are treated with respect. • Independence The individual's personal and economic independence will be promoted. • Choice Individuals will have options for services and supports. • Self-Determination Individuals will direct their own lives. • Living Well The individual's services and supports will promote health and well-being. • Contributing to the Community Individuals are able to work, volunteer, and participate in local communities. • Flexibility Individual needs will guide our actions. 1. Effective and Efficient Individuals' needs will be met in a timely and cost effective way. • Collaboration Individuals will benefit from our partnerships with families, communities, providers, and other federal, state and local organizations.
