Community Development - Frequently Asked
Questions
1. Question:
Can I get a tax
exemption for an inkind donation?
1. Answer: Any inkind donation
(donation of goods or services) is tax deductible when the donor provides
name, address, item donated and value of the item.
2. Question:
How are Memorial Donations
acknowledged?
2. Answer: The donor is sent a
thank you note and the deceased person’s family is sent a note informing
them of the donation.
3. Question:
Are receipts sent for
donations?
3. Answer: Receipts and thank
you letters are sent for contributions of $75.00 or more per IRS
regulations. Donations under that amount have the donation amount in the
body of the thank you letter and the letter can be used as a receipt.
4. Question:
Where do I send donations?
4. Answer: Donations can be
made to Friends of the Arc Foundation at PO
Box 97, Utica, NY
13503-0097. Phone: 315-724-3204.
5. Question:
How do I become a volunteer for
Community Development?
5. Answer: Volunteers are
needed for occasional bulk mailings (stuffing envelopes, sealing,
sorting etc.) and to work on fundraising committees. If you are
interested, please contact the community development office at
315-272-1533.
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Community and Family Services - Frequently
Asked Questions
1. Question: How do
you apply for MSC?
1. Answer: A person meeting the eligibility for MSC service
coordination simply needs to contact the Intake worker at 735-6477, Ext.
1675.
2. Question:
What is the purpose of MSC?
2. Answer: The purpose of MSC is
to provide assistance in developing, arranging, coordinating, monitoring
and creating a package of multiple services to meet an individual’s need
for services to ensure they live a successful life according to their
dreams and desires.
3. Question: As an MSC service
coordinator what will you do for me?
3. Answer:
The MSC service coordinator will:
--Work with an individual and their family to explore what they want and
need in life and then assist them in getting it
--Work in “partnership” with the person and their family to develop,
implement, and maintain the person’s Individualized Service Plan
--Work for the individual to find resources, services, and supports that
the person wants or needs
--Wake sure all providers are working towards achieving the person’s
desired outcomes.
4. Question:
What is an ISP?
4. Answer: An
ISP is a personal plan written by the MSC service coordinator and is
required for all persons enrolled in MSC or the HCBS Waiver. It contains
information describing the person, identifying the person’s dreams and
desires, and specifying the service and supports to achieve them. The ISP
is developed using a person-centered approach to planning with the person
being the focus of all planning activities. The content of the ISP is
based upon discussions with the person, person’s family and/or advocate,
service providers and others who know the person best.
The ISP must be reviewed once every six
months.
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Day Services - Frequently Asked Questions
1. Question:
Who pays for Day Habilitation?
1.
Answer: Day Habilitation funded by Medicaid through the Medicaid Waiver.
2. Question: Who is eligible for day
services?
2.
Answer: Individuals who have a developmental disability,
diagnosed before the 22nd birthday are eligible for services.
3.
Question: Is there an age limitation of who can attend
3. Answer: There is no maximum age limitation,
yet individuals must be at least 21 years of age. (In special circumstances, a special waiver can be issued to provide services
to individuals younger than 21.)
4. Question: What are developmental
disabilities?
4.
Answer: Developmental disabilities are disabilities of a person
which are attributed to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy,
neurological impairment or autism that originate before the 22nd
birthday, has continued or can be expected to continue indefinitely and
constitutes a substantial handicap to such person’s ability to function
normally in society.
5. Question: What are your hours?
5.
Answer: Day Services provide services Monday through Friday,
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
6. Question: Do I have to attend
full-time?
6.
Answer: No, you can attend anywhere from one day a week to five
days a week, based on your wants and desires. Half-day attendance is an
option, but The Arc does not provide transportation for half-day
attendance.
7.
Question: Can I attend another program while attending day
services part-time?
7.
Answer: Yes, many individuals attend part-time day services and
another program the remaining days, such as vocational services.
8. Question: How do the individuals get
to the programs?
8.
Answer: The Arc contracts with the Birnie Bus Service to
provide transportation from the individuals homes in the morning, to
program and back home in the afternoon.
9. Question: Are meals provided?
9.
Answer: Generally, no meals are provided. The senior day
habilitation program does provide meals as the program is located at a
senior nutrition site.
10. Question: Do you administer prescribed
medications?
10.
Answer: Day Habilitation programs have personnel on
staff who are certified to pass prescribed medications. Personnel
includes RNs, LPNs, and Approved Medication Administration Personnel;
although positions vary by site.
11. Question: How do I make a referral?
11.
Answer: Contact either the Director of Day Services at 735-6477
Ext. 1543, or the Intake Coordinator at 735-6477 at Ext. 1675.
12. Question: Can individuals attend who are
not eligible for Medicaid?
12.
Answer: Yes, for those individuals not eligible for Medicaid they
can attend on a private pay basis.
13.
Question: Who do I contact if I have a question or concern?
13.
Answer: Each program has an on-site director who can assist you
with questions or concerns, or direct you to someone who can assist you.
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Residential Services - Frequently Asked
Questions
1. Question:
What are developmental disabilities?
1. Answer:
Developmental disabilities are a variety of conditions that become
apparent in childhood or prior to age 22 and cause mental or physical
limitations. These conditions include autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy,
mental retardation, and other neurological impairments.
2. Question:
How do I access residential services for a family member or myself?
2. Answer: Contact The Arc Intake Coordinator at 315-735-6477, who will conduct an
intake to determine specific needs for service. Tours of homes may be
arranged if desired and a residential services application initiated. The
admissions process can be further explained at that time. Admission is
completely on a voluntary basis.
3. Question:
How does a person qualify for a supportive (less than 24 hour supervision)
residential setting?
3. Answer:
Individuals are assessed
in the areas of Medical, Nutrition, Financial, Socialization and Community
Skills. Each category is designed to determine if the individual has the
ability to live independently with minimal daily oversight. The
individuals can receive up to three hours of daily oversight and guidance.
Some key areas for the Supportive Living program are ability to self
medicate, independence with an emergency situation, good budgeting skills
and independence with community orientation.
4. Question:
What can I do if I don’t agree with the agency plan (Individualized
Service Plan “ISP”) for my family member or me?
4. Answer:
The ISP is coordinated by
the individual's Service Coordinator and is supervised by Director of
Medicaid Service Coordination. The Residential Program Manager develops
the Residential Habilitation Plan in conjunction with the individual and
their families. There is always open communication between the
individuals, their families and other service providers. Anytime the plan
is not meeting the individual's needs, an amendment to the ISP can be
generated and the plan can change.
5. Question:
Who pays for residential services?
5. Answer:
Generally, the provider payment is covered by the individual’s benefits
(i.e. social security, supplemental security income, veteran benefits,
etc.). If an individual earns significant wages, a portion might be used
to offset the decrease in the person’s benefits. Private pay, in certain
situations, is an option. Other funding sources include Medicaid, state
and local monies.
6. Question:
What responsibilities will I have?
6.
Answer: Living in a residence will require that I participate,
to the best of my ability, in maintaining the cleanliness and neatness of
my home. I will also be responsible for not infringing on the rights of
others. House codes and chore responsibilities are usually established
upon mutual agreement between individuals with staff guidance.
7. Question:
Can I choose where my family member lives?
7. Answer:
Arc residences are located
throughout Oneida and Lewis Counties. Determinations of where a person may
live depend on peer group, proximity to work or day program, availability
(vacancy), and the individual's requirement for staff oversight. Families
are involved and are encouraged to visit prospective IRAs. The decision is
made in concert with the individual and the family.
8. Question:
Will my family member or I have to share a room?
8. Answer:
The Arc's goal is to
provide a single room for every individual. Currently we have 66 single
rooms. By the end of 2004, we will have 74 single rooms and 25 double
rooms. Shared rooms are often a personal choice on the part of the
individuals.
9. Question:
Who will care for my family member or me when ill?
9. Answer:
The Arc has 24 hour AMAP
certified staff in our IRA residences (except Supportives who have AMAP
staff available a few hours a day). The staff can administer medications
and are First Aid and CPR trained. We also have four Registered Nurses
and two LPN's. An RN is assigned to each of the residences. The RN
oversees the medical care for each individual and provides nursing
treatments when needed. The RN's are available by pager system after
business hours. We also have SUNY on call that staff can utilize if the
RN is not available to answer any questions regarding the individuals
medical care.
10. Question:
Can my family member come to my house for an overnight visit?
10.
Answer: The ARC
encourages family involvement and values the importance of family
relationships. We do, however, have guidelines set forth from OMRDD
stating our individuals need to be in attendance at least 22 days per
month in order to receive payment for that person. These services are
performed with our direct services staff and are our main funding source
for our IRA program.
11. Question: What
types of recreational opportunities are available?
11.
Answer:
Individuals are free to participate in a wide variety of recreational
activities. Each residence develops plans to assist individuals in
accessing community events such as movies, concerts, sporting events,
picnics, swimming, theater shows, golfing, fairs, camps, etc. Many
individuals participate in bowling leagues, Special Olympics, and the
Leisure Center. There are associations that offer organized trips to
places within the United States and internationally that some individuals
take advantage of. These trips can be expensive and to save enough money
is a goal that many people participate in. Just about anything is
possible in the area of recreation. If you have a strong interest in
something we can try to make it happen.
12. Question:
Will my family member or I be able to work?
12. Answer:
There are opportunities to work and earn money. It depends on the
person’s ability and desire to be employed. Some individuals are employed
at sheltered workshop settings. Others work in the community with
assistance from Employment Services. Still others have obtained their own
jobs in the community without assistance and are very successful.
13. Question:
Will my family member or I have spending money?
13. Answer: Each person receives a monthly personal allowance
based on their benefits, OMRDD mandates, and the representative payee if
other than The Arc. This money may be used for recreational expenses,
“pocket money”, and items that the individual chooses to purchases. If a
person works, they would also have earnings from their job. A plan is
developed with each person to determine how much money they can handle and
that amount is given to the person at an established frequency. Some
individuals are very independent and can take care of their own finances
with little or no assistance.
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