What Assets for Independence (AFI) Grantees Need to Know About the Disability Services System

Disability Service System /

Type of Agency

Brief Description

Website

1.  Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies / SSS

VR agencies coordinate and provide counseling, evaluation, and job placement services for people with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities get help from VR agencies for assistance in finding and/or returning to work. This can be through access to education and training, job coaching, on the job training, and other necessary supports.

Link to state VR agencies. Select a state website and find a directory of local vocational rehabilitation office.

http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_cd=SVR  

2.  One-Stop Career Centers – Inquire if the Center has a Disability Program Navigator (DPN) / SSS

One-Stop Career Centers, located in every state, help individuals look for work and provide other employment-related services. Many Centers have a DPN, who helps guide One-Stop Career Center staff in helping people with disabilities access and navigate the various programs that impact their ability to gain/retain jobs.

Access the following link to locate the One-Stop Career Center(s) near your location.

http://www.servicelocator.org/onestopcenters.asp

3.  Centers for Independent Living (CIL) / SSS

CIL’s represent a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provides an array of independent living services.

This link takes you to a directory of Centers for Independent Living.

http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html

4.  The ARC / DSS

The ARC is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides an array of services and support for families and individuals and includes over 140,000 members affiliated through more than 730 state and local chapters across the nation.

Access the link to select a state from a map or a list to view the list of chapters of The Arc in that state.

http://www.thearc.org/find-a-chapter

5.  United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Affiliates / SSS

Local UCP affiliates provide services such as housing, therapy, assistive technology training, early intervention programs, individual and family support, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, employment assistance, and advocacy. Each affiliate offers a range of services tailored to its community's needs.

Access the link to enter your state to find your local United Cerebral Palsy affiliate

http://www.ucp.org/findaffiliate

6.  Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Projects / DSS

WIPA projects provide counseling on disability benefits. These programs have contact with disability beneficiaries (SSI and SSDI), most of whom are either already employed, are actively seeking employment, or seriously considering employment. Local Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs)—individuals who are trained on the Social Security disability benefits, other federal income support programs, and the effect of earned income on these benefits—can provide important assistance to AFI grantees in terms of getting the word out about IDA programs and how they can benefit persons with disabilities.

Access the URL to the SSA Service Provider Directory and click on the link per state to the WIPA program to find where the projects are located. In some states, there is more than one WIPA program.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate

Disability Service System /

Type of Agency

Brief Description

Website

1.  Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies / SSS

State VR agencies receive funding to provide comprehensive VR programs for individuals with disabilities. The goal of services is to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain and/or maintain employment. IDA personnel need to check with their state VR agency to find out exactly what the eligibility requirements are for that state.

Link to state VR agencies. Select a state website and find a directory of local vocational rehabilitation office.

http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_cd=SVR  

2.  One-Stop Career Centers – Inquire if the Center has a Disability Program Navigator / SSS

One-Stop Career Centers located in every state help individuals look for employment or self-employment. These Centers offer assistance with job search activities and in some cases can provide funds to pay for education or training. If the Center has a DPN, they can be a source of information for both AFI grantees and the potential saver in understanding the variety of programs that can provide assistance. They can also help make connections to community programs and resources.

Access the following link to locate the One-Stop Career Center(s) near your location.

http://www.servicelocator.org/onestopcenters.asp

3.  Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRP)

Most local areas have independent CRPs that provide vocational rehabilitation, training, and employment services to persons with disabilities. These smaller agencies are often funded by the state VR agency to deliver services to VR clients, but many have other sources of funding that allows them to serve additional people, or provide services for which the state VR agency will not pay.

Many of the CRPs provide very intensive and individualized vocational services and may be able to provide valuable support to AFI grantees in providing IDA case management.

a.  Goodwill Industries / SSS

Goodwill’s network of 166 independent, community-based Goodwills in the United States and Canada offers customized job training, employment placement, and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.

Access the link to find Goodwill stores, headquarters, and job training centers in your area.

http://locator.goodwill.org/

b.  Easter Seals / DSS and SSS

Easter Seals offers assistance to children and adults living with autism and other disabilities or special needs and their families each year. Services and support are provided through a network of more than 550 sites in the U.S. Each center provides services that are individualized, innovative, family-focused, and tailored to meet specific needs of the particular community served. Across the country, Easter Seals’ 145 workforce development programs teach individuals necessary skills to successfully enter the workforce, or return to work after an illness or injury.

To learn more about Easter Seals and Workforce Development and to find an Easter Seals in your location, access the following link.

http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ntl_wfd_main

c.  United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Affiliates / SSS

Across the country, UCP prepares job seekers with disabilities the most comprehensive resources for finding employment. Resume writing, and college and career information are all important aspects of obtaining employment. Each affiliate offers a range of services tailored to its community's needs.

Access the link to enter your state to find your local United Cerebral Palsy affiliate

http://www.ucp.org/findaffiliate

Disability Service System /

Type of Agency

Brief Description

Website

1.  State Assistive Technology (AT) Act Programs

States receive grants to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities through a state assistive technology program. These programs offer comprehensive statewide technology-related assistance. Services include AT loan and demonstration programs to help with purchasing of AT or adaptive equipment. AT programs can assist AFI grantees with information on where to secure assistive technology, equipment, and devices where appropriate.

Access the following link to learn more about the AT program in your state.

http://www.ataporg.org/states.html

2.  Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

JAN facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members, and other interested parties with information on job accommodations, entrepreneurship, and the ADA. JAN's efforts are in support of the employment, including self-employment and small business ownership, of people with disabilities. JAN represents the most comprehensive resource for job accommodations available. 

Access the following link to learn more about JAN services:

http://askjan.org/index.html

To access JAN’s Searchable Online Accommodation Resource:

http://askjan.org/soar/index.htm

To access JAN’s A to Z database of disabilities and accommodations:

http://askjan.org/links/atoz.htm

Disability Service System /

Type of Agency

Brief Description

Website

1.  Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Projects / DSS

Every state and territory is covered by WIPA projects that are staffed by Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs), who are trained on the Social Security disability benefits, other federal income support programs, and the effect of earned income on these benefits. 

CWICs can meet with potential savers to explain how to effectively use work incentives to augment savings. They are also knowledgeable about the rules related to state programs such as food stamps, general assistance, and Medicaid waiver services. Their knowledge of state and federal benefit programs can assist an individual in developing an effective benefits plan.

WIPA projects may also be able to help AFI grantees provide financial literacy training and support, as well as help conduct outreach and education to disability agencies.

Access the URL to the SSA Service Provider Directory and click on the link per state to the WIPA program to find where the projects are located. In some states, there is more than one WIPA program.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate

Disability Service System

Brief Description

Website

1.  Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalitions

The EITC is a federal tax credit available to assist working families and individuals. The credit is available to low and moderate-income workers regardless of their tax liability (meaning that even if they don’t have to file or pay taxes, many working poor families can still file for taxes and get some sort of an EITC refund). The EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, low-income housing or most Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments.

Local EITC coalitions provide outreach and free tax preparation.

Access the link to obtain state directories of EITC community-based partnerships.

http://www.cbpp.org/eitc-partnership/directory.htm

2.  Centers for Independent Living (CIL)

CIL’s represent a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provides an array of independent living services. 

Most centers are also actively involved in one or more of the following activities: community planning and decision making; school-based peer counseling, role modeling, and skills training; working with local governments and employers to open and facilitate employment opportunities; interacting with local, state, and federal legislators; and staging recreational events that integrate individuals with disabilities with their peers that do not have disabilities.

This link takes you to a directory of Centers for Independent Living.

http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html

3.  Area Work Incentive Coordinators (AWICs)

AWICs are experienced employment support experts, who are located in SSA field offices to provide services and information on employment support programs to beneficiaries with disabilities who want to start or keep working.

AWICs coordinate and/or conduct public outreach on work incentives in their local areas; provide and/or coordinate and oversee training on SSA’s employment support programs for all personnel at local Social Security offices; handle sensitive or high profile disability work-issue cases, if necessary; and monitor the disability work-issue workloads in their respective areas.

Access the URL to find information on how to contact your local AWIC through the SSA regional website:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/regions/

4.  Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs)

Every state and territory is covered by WIPA projects that are staffed by Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs), who are trained on the Social Security disability benefits, other federal income support programs, and the effect of earned income on these benefits. 

CWICs can provide important assistance to AFI grantees in terms of connecting them to other disability service systems and getting the word out about IDA programs.

Access the URL to the SSA Service Provider Directory and click on the link per state to the WIPA program to find where the projects are located. In some states, there is more than one WIPA program.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate

5.  Developmental Disability (DD) Councils

Councils on Developmental Disabilities were created to "engage in advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change activities that are consistent with the purpose of the DD Act and; contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family-centered, consumer and family-directed, comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive and be integrated and included in all facets of community life."

There are 55 State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, one in each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas, and American Samoa.

Council members are appointed by governors to represent and advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Council Members serve in a volunteer capacity. More than 60% of these volunteers must be people with developmental disabilities or family members.

Access the URL to click on a state or territory for Council contact information.

http://www.nacdd.org/about-nacdd/councils-on-developmental-disabilities.aspx