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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has released a Community Developments Insights paper that examines Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). As a tool for banks and other financial institutions, IDA’s encourage lower-income persons and families to save money and build assets for particular financial goals. The Insights paper describes why banks offer IDAs, shows how banks are involved with IDAs, and addresses barriers to the growth of IDA products. Information presented in the paper was obtained from a variety of sources including financial institutions, IDA policymakers, nonprofit service providers and program funders.
Click here for link to paper:
http://www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-25a.pdf
On March 16, Center for Self-Determination Director Tom Nerney participated in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) interactive satellite videoconferences/web casts "
Self-Direction and Its Relationship to Mental Health."
To see Tom’s presentation Free Men and Women visit
http://www.connectlive.com/events/samhsa/images/pp.ppt
Two more conferences will be held on April 6, at 1:00 pm (EST) Models
of Self-Direction in Mental Health and May 25 at 1:00 pm. -
Self-Direction in Mental Health: from Ideas to Action. For more
information contact Jackie Golden
On March 11, the SABE (Self Advocates becoming Empowered) Executive Committee and the founders of the Alliance for Full Participation (AFP) came together to develop a plan to move forward together to assure that the AFP Summit planned for September 2005 fully integrates self advocates throughout the process. According to the reconciliation announcement “SABE has become a full partner in the Summit working with all of the founding organizations.” The Center for Self-Determination will exhibit our wares and host a meeting place at the Summit. For more information contact
Pat Carver
Self-Determination State Sites
- Immersion Plans Continuing
Following up on the plans made last spring in Atlanta, the Alabama team did further strategic planning with lead Center Planner Vickie Vining in Montgomery March 10. "Getting the word out" about self-determination and hosting an immersion-learning event is in the works.
- Civil Rights Exhibit
An informative Self-Advocacy exhibition is being displayed at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute through Alabama April 24, 2005. Featuring Advocating Change Together, Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) & People First of Alabama the exhibit traces perceptions, attitudes, services, struggles, and achievements in the history of persons with developmental and other disabilities.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) mission is the communication and reconciliation of human rights issues worldwide, and to serve as a depository for civil rights archives and documents.
Visit
http://www.peoplefirstofnh.org/SelfAdvocacyCivilRightsExhibit.htm
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- Tremendous Help to decrease unnecessary administrative oversight.
The following letter was received early this month from the California
Alliance for Inclusive Communities, Inc.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors of the California Alliance for
Inclusive Communities, Inc. (CAIC) I am writing to thank you for your
outstanding appraisal of the California Department of Developmental
Services (DDS) application for the Center for Medicaid Services 1915 ©
Self-Directed waiver program.
Your conclusions and recommendations were submitted to the leadership at
DDS for their review and widely distributed among California
stakeholders, sparking considerable discussion. Many of your
recommendations will likely be adopted by DDS in the final draft of the
waiver application, although there will be no modification for either
homeownership or vehicle purchases.
CAIC will continue to advocate for the support of your recommendations
and for meaningful outcomes in the California Self-Directed waiver.
Your report has helped tremendously in our efforts to advocate for
maximum participant choice while at the same time decreasing unnecessary
administrative oversight.
Thanks again for your thoughtful review and recommendations."
Contact Pat Napoliello, President
California Alliance for Inclusive Communities, Inc
http://www.caic.org/
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- CHICAGO group forges ahead
Debbie Gilmer, Center State Contact from the Maine Support Network and Western Maine Partnership submitted an update from the self-determination meetings held in Maine last month. To read report visit
http://www.self-determination.com/states/maine/index.html
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- Learning about the Tools
The ARC of Livingston hosted a one-day learning event to introduce all stakeholders to the tools of self-determination. Participants included Arc members and Livingston County Mental Health Many Center personnel. Sherri Boyd, Pat Carver, Jan Lampman, Angela Martin, Tom Nerney and Vickie Vining guided sessions on independent support, individual budgeting and fiscal intermediaries. A community-based task force has developed to ensure implementation of self-determination in the County. Contact Sherri Boyd.
- Center Mini-Retreat
The Center staff and Resource Guides held a two-hour strategy session devoted to addressing emerging issues in self-determination especially around fiscal management issues and provider issues. Community Living Services CEO, Jim Dehem, CFO Bill Yordy and CLS President and Center Treasurer Dohn Holye joined key Center personnel mentioned above.
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- An Update by State Contact Marsa Katz
Marsha reports, "There is much to be done here, but there are true pockets of excellence in self-determination throughout the state, and a renewed sense of excitement that will no doubt produce more in the coming months and years." To update on self-determination in Montana report
http://www.self-determination.com/states/montana/index.html
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- Free Resource Online
"Partners in Employment" is a self-study, Internet-based learning program, created to give users the practical skills needed to find real, competitive employment in their own community. The information in this course is relevant and useful regardless of where a participant is located. "Partners in Employment" is part of the continuing effort to create a new employment culture - one in which willing workers are welcomed and embraced by satisfied employers and a supportive public.
http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/employment/
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- 2005 Institute for Self-Determination
The Arc of New Mexico hosts this learning opportunity for citizens of New Mexico who want to direct their own futures or assist individuals with developmental disabilities and/or their families to direct their own futures. According to Rebecca Shuman, New Mexico Arc Director and Center State Contact, "People successfully completing this training will learn more about performing the functions of the Plan Facilitator or Community Resource Guide in a self-directed program." Contact Rebecca Shuman or visit
http://www.arcnm.org/index.php/news_events/article/168/ for more information.
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- Project Promotes Confirmation
A new endeavor at the Center for Disability Resources, USC School of Medicine, called the Self-Determination Project will “advocate for persons with disabilities by offering various types of training, technical support and collaboration with other support agencies.” By working with local self-advocacy groups to strengthen and support them as well as assist counties within South Carolina that want to develop self-advocacy groups, the project begins looking at self-determination by way of honoring the principle of Confirmation of the important leadership that self-advocates must hold in a newly designed system. For information Kim Cannon.
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- Project on Self-Determination Underway
Imagine Enterprises has completed contract arrangements with four Regional
Conveners: Arc of the Gulf Coast, LifePath Systems, Sabine Valley Center and Lubbock MHMR. Imagine staff and Vickie Vining of the Center for Self-Determination have created plans for two-day regional conferences and follow-up sessions, and visited with all conveners.
Additionally, Imagine staff is assisting Ricky Broussard in development of his business, Get A Life, to provide presentations focused on self-determination from the perspective of a person with a disability. Contact
Kim Tope.
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- Creating a Working Self-Determination Platform
The Western Wisconsin Alliance for Self-Determination is an organization committed to ensuring that people with disabilities and their family members are given a full voice in creating meaningful and successful lives within Western Wisconsin communities. . Efforts are focused in Pierce and St. Croix counties. The Alliance plans to fulfill this commitment through education, advocacy training, political action, peer support, and strong community foundations. Currently underway are education opportunities for people with disabilities and their families that emphasize understanding the current county and state funding system as well as strategies for change. The Alliance has a goal for stakeholders to become invested in creating a working Self-Determination platform for their Human Services programs.
Website is under construction, but watch for www.wwasd.org to be up and running by the end of April. For more information, please contact
Naomi Silver at 715-426-4836.
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Updates and Announcements
Business Manager Joins Center Staff
Billie Nagi officially joined the Center’s effort this month. Organizing trainings, resource guidance and assisting Executive Director are Ms. Nagi’s current duties at the Center. She will remain at Community Living Services where she has worked in administration for 11 years. Billie brings a strong commitment to good work, outstanding organizational skills and positive way of thinking to the Center "I love coming to work," Nagi says. Billie has traveled all over the world because her father was a diplomat with the India government. Before settling in Livonia with her husband and two sons, she lived in Moscow, Peking, Beijing and New York City. To reach Billie Nagy or call 734-722-7092.
"You'll never plough a field by turning it over in your
mind.
-Irish Saying
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