April 2005 Publication Continued
Health and Employment Counseling Program
Scott Anderson, Benefits Specialist
The Health and Employment Counseling (HEC) Program is a 9-month pre-employment program for people with disabilities who want to enroll in the Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP), but who are not yet employed.Through MAPP, people with disabilities who are working or enrolled in HEC may buy their Medicaid coverage by paying a monthly premium, based on income. Individuals with low income may not have to pay a premium.
Individuals are encouraged to apply for MAPP at their county economic support agency before applying for HEC. An individual who meets the eligibility requirements for MAPP but is not yet working may begin the HEC application process by completing an employment plan. The employment plan can be obtained through the local county economic support office or by contacting the HEC Regional Screener. HEC Regional Screeners are located throughout the state and are available to assist individuals in the HEC application process. I am the HEC Regional Screener for this area.
The employment plan is designed to help an individual outline a plan to achieve employment within 9-12 months and is divided into four main sections:
Career planning
Employment barriers assessment
Benefits Counseling
Networking with community resources
The individual may complete this form independently or work with others such as case managers or DVR Counselors to help identify other community resources.
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I will submit the plan when completed to the
Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) for final approval.
Individuals will receive a letter from DHFS letting them know of
enrollment in the HEC program.
For more information on HEC, contact Scott Anderson at North Country,
1-800-924-1220 v/tty or 392-9118 v/tty.
Going to Work?
John Nedden-Durst, Disability Navigator
Are you a person with a disability who is looking for work? Where do you go to start to look? What else can you do once you have looked through the newspaper want ads?I will be traveling to a job center near you to meet with job seekers such as yourself. One of my goals is to help people with disabilities in finding and keeping work. Also, there may be other resources I can help you locate that may assist you in finding employment.
If you are interested in finding available jobs, you can search at www.dwd.state.wi.us and look for JobNet listings in northwestern Wisconsin. To conduct a regional search, you may want to try America’s Job Bank at www.ajb.dni.us. To develop and post a resume, as well as survey your own skills and interest, try Jobfit on the Northwest CEP website at www.nwcep.jobfit.com.
If you have questions about how to handle a disability-related issue at work, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free, national call-in service that assists people in solving on-the-job disability-related concerns. They can be reached at 1-800-526-7234 v/tty or online at www.jan.wvu.edu.
For assistance in navigating through any employment and disability services, contact me at 1-800-499-5676 v/tty or by e-mail: .
Transportation Coordinator Joins NCIL Staff
Bob Olsgard has joined North Country as our Transportation Coordinator. Bob is coordinating a pilot transportation project in Sawyer, Washburn, and Burnett counties. One goal of this project is to find out who’s providing transportation to people with disabilities in northern Wisconsin? Our main effort with this project is to get rides to people who need them, whether it be for shopping, medical appointments or other needs.“Transportation is a big barrier to mobility,” Bob says. This project will work with all transportation providers in the three counties to provide a coordinated effort to make transportation available to consumers who need it.
Currently Bob is sending out a survey to transportation providers and people with disabilities in Washburn County. Surveys will also be sent to consumers and providers in Sawyer and Burnett counties. The survey includes questions about which type of transportation service a consumer uses and why they use the service.
Bob says that consumers often get stuck at home and this project will aim to help people get out into the community more and become active. Bob points out that this is an important time to be calling our legislators about our transportation needs in northern Wisconsin, especially the need to coordinate services.
This pilot transportation project is being made possible with funding from a Medicaid infrastructure grant and assistance from the Center for Independent Living of Western Wisconsin and the consulting firm, CB Ton and Associates.
Bob will be writing a regular column for North Country News on his transportation project and other transportation issues. To find out more, contact Bob, at NCIL, Superior, 392-9118 v/tty or 1-800-499-5676 v/tty.
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Technology Corner
Wanted: Electric Hospital Bed. Looking for bed at low or no cost. If you have one available, call Brook at 763-350-6305.For Sale: Jazzy Power Chair #1122. Asking $3,500 or best offer. New, never used. Contact Jerry, 218-393-9126.
For Sale: Jazzy Power Chair # 1105. Asking $950. Excellent condition. 715-392—8611. Ask for Skip.
For Sale: Pride Celebrity electric 3-wheeled scooter. Asking $1,500. Call Dick, 715-373-2874.
Donation For NCIL
North Country welcomes your support in fulfilling its mission of empowering consumers. Your contribution is tax deductible. North Country is a non-profit agency with 501 {c} 3 status.Enclosed is my donation of
$___________________________________
Name_______________________________
Organization/Company
____________________________________
City_________________________________
State__________________ Zip___________
Phone_______________________________
__ I would like to volunteer at North Country
Mail to:
North Country Independent Living
2231 Catlin Ave. Suite 16
Superior, WI 54880
