Module 3, Topic 2, Reading

DIS 499/599: Module 3: Topic 2, Online Lesson

Module 3: Assessing Needs and Determining Supports

Topic 2: Formal and Informal Needs Assessments and Effective Supports

Week 8: 3/4 - 3/10

Online Lesson

Objectives:

* To identify the range of supports needed by families

* To identify the range of supports provided to families

To complete this assignment successfully, you should read the following.

1. The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities, lists the following services in their information packet. The services are free to families and individuals.

a. Eligibility determination -

Any Arizona resident who has a chronic disability which is attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism that was manifested before the age of 18 may be eligible for services. The disability also must result in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:

self-care
receptive and expressive language
learning
mobility
self-direction
capacity for independent living
economic self-sufficiency

Children under the age of six years may be eligible for services if there is a strongly demonstrated potential that the child is, or will become, developmentally disabled.

The Intake Support Coordinator receives a referral and meets with the family to discuss their concerns and share information about supports and services. The Intake Support Coordinator will request/collect documentation to determine eligibility.

b. Support Coordination -

Individuals receive help from a case manager in determining eligibility, assessing needs, and obtaining services and supports. Specifically, a case manager will:

gather information to help determine your eligibility
develop, with ideas and suggestions from you and your family, an Individual Support Plan that identifies the supports and services to help you meet your identified needs
assist you in obtaining appropriate supports and services
monitor the provision and effectiveness of services
provide information regarding services available from other state and community agencies as well as from private organizations

The Support Coordinator will assist the family and individual by obtaining and providing information related to parent groups, community resources and activities, networking within the community, the application process for other support agencies, various training and educational opportunities, in-home support services, assistive technology devices, therapies, and other needed supports. In addition the Support Coordinator provides assistance in obtaining, coordinating and monitoring services as identified in the ISP.

c. Individual Support Plan (ISP) - The ISP is a communication planning and decision making process which includes an in-depth look at the individual and a written plan of action to provide services and supports. The ISP is a team process which includes the individual, the Support Coordinator, and may include family members and anyone else the individual would like in include. Through the ISP process each individual's unique needs, available resources and supports are identified. The written plan is developed to meet the identified needs.

2. Support Services vary from location to location and are provided based on need. The following is a list of services that may be available:

a. In-homes services - homemaker, attendant care, home health care, chores, etc.

b. Respite and Day Care services - short-term care and supervision to relieve caregivers, day programs, etc.

c. Environmental Adaptations - adaptive equipment, home modifications, home repairs,

d. Recreation - camps, Special Olympics, after-school programs, therapeutic programs (sports, horseback riding, etc.)

e. Family Support - counseling, support groups, training

f. Systemic Assistance - information and referral, advocacy

g. Developmental Services - behavior management, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, individual counseling, medical and dental care, independent living skills training, evaluation and assessment, nursing care, attendant care, early intervention services, play therapy, etc.

h. Financial Assistance - discretionary cash subsidy, allowances, vouchers, reimbursement, special clothing, vehicle modification, special diets, utilities, rent assistance, transportation, etc.

Once you have completed this activity you should:

Go on to Online Reading

Go back to Topic 2

Email instructor: Becky.Raabe@nau.edu