Michigan Post-Secondary Transition Agencies / Supports

Agency Primary Contact(s) Purpose / Services  Grant Project funded by Michigan Department of Education: Chuck Saur, Director http://mi-top.cenmi.org/ MI-TOP  Initial charge: Improve compliance with State Performance Plan transition (Michigan Transition Dave Mallot requirements; Moving more recently into assuring improved adult Outcomes Project) outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Transition Laurie Bradley, Coordinators  Funds provided to Intermediate School Districts to offset costs of local Grant Coordinator Transition Coordinators who work as administrators to monitor compliance and other transition activities at the ISD (Intermediate School District) level.  Michigan Vocational Rehabilitation Services Agency: Cynthia Wright http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,1607,7-154-25392---,00.html (See FAQ doc)  Counselors assigned within specific regions to attend IEPs, open employment cases, and development employment plans  MRS Counselors are trained in the Allen Anderson Model MRS (http://www.employmentoutcomes.com/index.htm) and Motivational (Michigan Interviewing (http://www.motivationalinterview.org/) to work with clients. Rehabilitation Services)  Typically, MRS representatives are invited to the IEP the year before exit is expected; however, they can be invited to participate earlier.  Collaboration and services vary significantly from one service area to another.  For actual services, MRS typically contracts out to private employment training and job coaching agencies  Provides services similar to MRS for employment but also offers additional MCB resources for independent living, community involvement, etc. for (Michigan Commission individuals who are blind: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,1607,7-154- for the Blind) 28077_28313---,00.html  May be combining with MRS under new DCH restructuring for next year  Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (Under the umbrella of DCH) Lori Irish has a number of other work groups and committees addressing various issues related to developmental disabilities (Not necessarily a  Local agencies funded to provide services under DCH / DD are often contact for all of the referred to as a CMH (Community Mental Health) agency (previous name DCH (Department of agencies under the for this umbrella) and carry the local name of the agency such as Hiawatha Community Health) DCH umbrella) Behavioral Health (although still funded as a CMH agency under DCH)  Typically transition age students / adults served by this agency are more impacted by their disability  For individuals with ASD, a Family Support Subsidy is available (approx. $211.00/mo.) through this agency based on school eligibility of ASD and parental income  General Information on this grant: Joe Longcor http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ltc/Medicaid_Infrastructure_Grant_Proje MIG ct_227528_7.pdf (Medicaid  Provided START significant funds to offset costs for transition teams to take Infrastructure Grant) the Griffin & Hammis online course  Grant will run out the end of 2012 MTSA  State Association for Michigan: http://michigantsa.com/ Michigan Transition Jim Samsel,  Mission: To provide transition resources / information to those individuals, Services Association Transition community partners, families, etc. addressing transition issues for Coordinator individuals with disabilities in Michigan. Monroe County  Members pay annual dues  Association has a well-attended (700+) annual 2 day conference  MTSA representatives serve on the majority of other work groups addressing state-wide issues on transition  Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health MF2FHIEC Lisa Cooke-Gordon Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Michigan Family to under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010. Family Health  Information and Monthly newsletter and other resources: Education Center) http://www.bridges4kids.org/f2f/index.htm 

Interesting Michigan Issues:  Students with IEPs are entitled to special education services until age 26, if needed to meet the post- secondary transition goals.  Many students, age 18-26 who do not earn a diploma and are more impacted by their disability are educated in classrooms focused on functional skills (e.g. cooking, cleaning, etc.) until they age out of special education services.

From the ASD State Plan

 Public mental health services are provided through the Managed Specialty Supports and Services Plan (MSSSP) for individuals with Medicaid who have a serious mental illness, developmental disability, or a substance use disorder. For individuals with Medicaid, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) contracts with 18 Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs), which are comprised of single or multiple Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs) for services to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Each PIHP is required to have an array of specialty services and supports to both children and adults include community living supports, medication administration, occupational therapy, physical therapy, play therapy, speech, hearing and language, case management, supports coordination, respite care, family support and training, In adulthood, individuals on the spectrum may obtain services from the PIHP/CMHSP as they attempt to negotiate the variety of supported living arrangements available to them, as well as support services for accomplishing activities of daily living, transportation, supported employment and recreational activities. A CMHSP must prioritize who receives public mental health services, and when it cannot address all local needs, establish a waiting list process that ensures systematic access into services. Without Medicaid and a priority need, a person with ASD is unlikely to get services from CMHSP.

 Adults with Medicaid who meet eligibility requirements receive their services through PIHPs with funding from DCH. The MSSSP offers a variety of medically necessary services that focus on supporting adults with ASD and their families. The Habilitation Supports Waiver, which operates concurrently with the MSSSP, has additional enrollment requirements and is designed to provide home and community based services and supports for Medicaid beneficiaries with developmental disabilities who would otherwise require an institutional level of care. Some examples of services may include: a. Work and day time options through promoting micro-enterprises and identifying specific employment opportunities that match the strengths and needs of individuals with ASD while reducing day programs and sheltered workshops.

b. Respite care is available for families with adult children with ASD who reside at home.

c. Supported living opportunities for individuals with ASD whose families have sought out-of-home placements, including staff to provide assistance.

d. Community living support (CLS) staff to assist individuals with disabilities as determined in their plan of service, or person-centered plan, and may include transportation to community activities.

e. Supports coordination or targeted case management may be able to link, coordinate, and assist the individual and family to navigate the various systems and programs.

f. Peer to peer supports may be helpful in linking and coordinating services and advocacy.

 Depending upon the severity of their ASD and whether it is co-occurring with intellectual disabilities, individuals may receive care in licensed group homes, their families’ home, or their own homes for up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if medically necessary. They may also receive daytime supports (such as skill-building or supported employment), medication administration, and mental health therapy.

In 2010, 1,996 adults with ASD in Michigan were served through the Department of Community Health/Community Mental Health Service Program (DCH/CMHSP) system. Nearly half of the individuals in the DCH/CMHSP system were between the ages of 18 and 26 and most of them were still receiving school supports. These figures do not include individuals who do not receive any DCH/CMHSP supports, but may have been receiving services through another public service agency.

 Services provided through the public mental health system are based on a culture of gentleness (Gentle Teaching has been adopted by DCH), which is the premise that individuals should feel safe and valued as an alternative to relying on restraint, restrictions, and punishment. Statewide training and consultation is currently occurring related to this topic.

 As of September 2009, the last institution serving adults with developmental disabilities, Mt. Pleasant Center, closed. As of November 2010, all individuals from Mt. Pleasant Center have moved to community settings. Michigan is the largest state to have closed all large and small institutions for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Person Centered Planning (PCP) is a process for planning and supporting the individual while building on his or her capacity to engage in activities that promote community life. This process honors the individual’s preferences, choices and abilities, and involves families, friends and professionals consistent with the needs and desires of the individual. While the process may vary somewhat across the state, PCP is required in the Michigan Mental Health Code for all individuals served by the public mental health system.

 Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS). The following services are provided through DHS: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Food Stamps, Personal Care Services for Medicaid beneficiaries living in their own homes or the home of a family member (Adult Home Help Services), Medical Transportation (to and from medical appointments), Utility Assistance, and Housing Assistance. An application must be completed, and eligibility determined in order to receive these services. In some cases, families are not aware of these programs.