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SEPTEMBER 2009
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to view previous months of the Signs of Independence Newsletter
Mention of any product, service, or event in this newsletter does
not
constitute any endorsement or recommendation by OSCIL.
If you wish to advertise in the OSCIL newsletter, please contact Susan Eleoff at 738-1013 ext. 13.
New OSCIL E-Mail: Please note our new e-mail address: info@oscil.org.
OSCIL’s FYI Email List: If you wish to add your email address to OSCIL’s FYI email list for timely information on upcoming events and programs, please send your email to email.list@oscil.org . Please include your first and last name and email address. This list will be sent as an undisclosed recipient list to protect consumer confidentiality.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Legislation Highlights of 2009
New OSCIL Employees
CDHH Equipment Loan
Emergency Registry Update
Community Action Agencies
Health Insurance Counseling
Discount Prescription Card
Legal Services
Peer Resource Specialists
CART Referral Service
Medicare Extra Help
FYI
New Protections for Tenants in Foreclosed Properties
Looking Ahead
Legislation Highlights of 2009
The Rhode Island General Assembly recessed at the end of June without completing all of its legislative business and made plans to reconvene in September to continue its review of bills. With assistance from Bob Cooper at the RI Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, OSCIL has summarized below some of the enacted legislation to date in 2009 that may be relevant to people with disabilities:
Definition of Disability: The RI Civil Rights laws have added to the definition of disability a provision to include any disability which is provided protection under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and its federal regulations.
Child Support: This law allows Family Court to order child support if a child has a severe physical or mental impairment beyond an average child’s emancipation age (18). It sets forth factors to assess child support and would not set an age time limit. The onset of the disability must have occurred prior to the emancipation event.
Stroke Prevention Act of 2009: This act includes the designation of RI primary stroke center providers in this state, and includes protocols for the triage and transport of stroke patients to the closest primary stroke center, including the bypass of health care facilities not designated as primary stroke centers.
Surgical Procedures: This act requires that when a hospital provides a surgical procedure by a non-employee physician, it must provide the patient with the same care, education and resources provided to patients of employee physicians.
Emergency Alerts: The state police, in consultation with other appropriate agencies, are required to send out emergency alerts if a person with a diagnosis of dementia is reported missing.
Nursing Home Licenses: This act states that no new licenses for nursing facilities nor an increase in licensed bed capacity will be issued until after July 1, 2012.
Global Waiver Criteria : Language in the Global Waiver previously stated that Medicaid recipients in nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded or those Medicaid recipients who were deemed eligible for home and community services prior to 12/31/08, would continue to be assessed under the old rules. Old rules also stated that those who met Medicaid’s level of care prior to 12/31/08 would only be transitioned to home and community services on a voluntary basis and not be subject to waiting lists for home and community services.
These provisions, which essentially allowed some persons on Medicaid receiving long term care services to be “grandfathered” under old Medicaid criteria, have been deleted and replaced by new regulations. Every Medicaid beneficiary will have an annual reassessment to determine levels of care.
OSCIL welcomes Bridget Hjerpe as our Independent Living/Community Living Specialist. She is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a Bachelor’s degree in social work and was previously employed as a case manager at the Kent Center. Bridget enjoys spending time with her family and with Mr. Bojangles, her Yorkie-Poo.
Julie DeRosa is OSCIL’s new Home Access Program Office Assistant. She will be providing administrative support and assistance with program coordination and working on various office projects. Julie is currently enrolled full-time at CCRI majoring in computer science.
The RI Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has an equipment loan program for individuals as well as businesses and state agencies. Examples of adaptive equipment that may be available for loan include: Loop Systems, FM Personal Listening Systems, TTY’s, alerting devices, personal amplifiers, alarm clocks, smoke detectors, telephones, and more. For more information, visit the web site www.cdhh.ri.gov and link to communication access or to check on availability, email cdhh@cdhh.ri.gov or call 222-1204 Voice or 222-1205 TTY.
As of April 2009, over 4,500 Rhode Islanders have enrolled in the Special Needs Emergency Registry. Health Department Director Dr. David Gifford states, “This Special Needs Emergency Registry is a major component of emergency preparedness efforts in Rhode Island.”
The RI Department of Health and the RI Emergency Management Agency have developed this system to identify persons who require special assistance during emergencies. Information will be shared with local and state emergency management and responders such as police and fire personnel. Rhode Island adults and children with disabilities, chronic conditions and special health care needs are encouraged to register. Go to www.healthri.gov/emregistry for online registration, or you may call 946-9996. Copies of this form are available at OSCIL.
The RI Community Action Association is a statewide network of eight Community Action Programs (CAP agencies) who, for over forty years, have been providing opportunities and serving as a lifeline for economically disadvantaged Rhode Islanders. The agencies strive to promote self-sufficiency and work to eliminate the causes of poverty.
CAP agencies offer a large variety of programs and services which may include, but are not limited to, basic and emergency needs, such as rental assistance and referrals to furniture banks; housing programs that may include weatherization, affordable rentals, and home repair programs; family health and dental clinics and nutrition education; counseling programs; youth programs that may include employment and job skills training; financial services such as income tax preparation and budget counseling; and education programs such as GED classes, Head Start and after school programs. Some services may not be available at all agencies and may be subject to available funding.
Below are the eight CAP agencies in Rhode Island and the areas they cover. Agencies may provide services in cities and towns other than those listed.
Blackstone Valley CAP
32 Goff Street in Pawtucket
723-4520
www.bvcap.org
Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, Cumberland and WoonsocketComprehensive CAP
311 Doric Ave. in Cranston
467-9610
www.comcap.org
Cranston, Foster, Scituate, CoventryEast Bay CAP
Lower Bay: 19 Broadway in Newport
848-6697
www.ebcap.org
Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Middletown, Jamestown, Little ComptonUpper Bay:
100 Bullocks Point/ Riverside
437-1000
www.ebcap.org
East Providence, Warren, Bristol, BarringtonFamily Resources CAP
245 Main St. in Woonsocket
766-0900
www.famresri.orgProvidence Community Action
518 Hartford Ave. in Providence
273-2000
www.procapri.orgSouth County CAP
1935 Kingstown Rd. in Wakefield
789-3016
www.sccainc.org
Exeter, Charlestown, Narragansett, Westerly, Hopkinton, North and South Kingstown, Richmond, West Greenwich, New ShorehamTri-Town CAP
1126 Hartford Ave. in Johnston
351-2750
www.tri-town.org
North Providence, Johnston, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Burrillville, GlocesterWestbay CAP
224 Buttonwoods Ave. in Warwick
732-4666
www.westbaycap.org
Warwick, West Warwick, East Greenwich
The Rhode Island Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) helps Medicare beneficiaries determine their health care options. SHIP volunteers provide one-to-one counseling to seniors and adults with disabilities on Medicare in order to help them understand health care costs and coverage. A SHIP counselor may discuss Medicare, Medicare drug plans, supplemental insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, free and reduced-cost medical care programs, and other relevant programs. To locate a SHIP counselor, call the Point Resource Center at 462-4444.
The FamilyWize prescription drug discount card can be used to obtain savings on prescription drugs (usually 20-30%) at participating pharmacies by persons who have no health insurance, or during deductible periods, and for prescription medications not covered by health insurance or Medicare. This card may be used by all family members living in your home. Participating area pharmacies include CVS, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Stop & Shop. A discount card may be printed from the web site at www.familywize.org.
Cards are available at 211 headquarters at 50 Valley Street in Providence or call 211 to request a card be mailed to you.
The Rhode Island Center for Law and Public Policy (RICLAPP), incorporated in 2008, provides legal services to persons with low and moderate incomes, to small non-profit agencies and for-profit small businesses. Additionally, the Center works on developing public policy initiatives to benefit all Rhode Islanders.
Legal services are provided in a variety of areas such as employment, housing, Medicare disputes, elder issues, wills, and estate plans. Currently, there are on-site legal clinics held at the Cranston, Pilgrim, East Greenwich, Woonsocket, and Westminster Senior Centers. The initial consultations at these clinics are free of charge. Subsequent services are on a sliding fee scale.
RICLAPP will provide legal counsel and services to individuals and families whose annual income is up to 300% above the federal poverty level. For a household of one, the 2009 federal poverty guideline is $10,830; for two persons it is $14,570. Legal services are provided at no charge if income is below the poverty guidelines and on a sliding fee scale for others. The fees for non-profits and small businesses are based on annual membership fees.
The organization has several full time employees, interns, and volunteers.
Geoff Schoos, Esq. is President and founder. The Center is located at 3288 Post Road across from the Warwick Town Hall and is on a bus route. Additional information is on the web site at www.riclapp.org or telephone 921-5988
The following information, taken from the Spring 2009 RIPIN (Rhode Island Parent Information Network) newsletter Networker, describes a new adult peer support program.
RIPIN is branching out into the adult world with the Peer Assisted Health Initiative. Now in ten locations, this peer support program places trained RIPIN Resource Specialists at adult medical practices and specialty sites throughout Rhode Island.
Peer Resource Specialists are adults who have had obstacles in their own lives and are now offering support to others with life challenges including chronic illness, disabilities, and special healthcare needs.
They offer first-hand understanding and support as they themselves have lived with chronic illness and/or disability. They can provide patients with information regarding medical equipment, nutrition, prescription assistance, transportation, housing, employment, medical insurance, support groups, and anything to enhance an individual’s quality of life.
You can find a RIPIN Peer Resource Specialist at Bayside Family Healthcare, North Kingstown; Butler Hospital, Providence; Looking Upwards, Middletown; Northwest Community Health Care, Pascoag; Rhode Island Department of Corrections, Cranston; Rhode Island Hospital Medical Primary and Specialty Clinics, Providence; St. Joseph’s Primary Clinic and OBGYN, Providence; and Wood River Health Services, Hope Valley.
The RI Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CDHH) has added the Communication Access RealTime Translation (CART) service to its Sign Language Interpreter Referral Service.
CART is frequently used by persons who are hard of hearing or who have cochlear implants in order to have maximum communication access. You may notice CART at meetings or in college or school classrooms. A speaker’s words, which are instantly transcribed using a stenotype machine, computer and realtime software, appear on a large screen or computer monitor.
To learn more about CART service, go to the website www.cartinfo.com . You may contact the CDHH Interpreter and CART Referral Services as follows:
Voice: 401-222-5300
TTY: 401-222-5301
Video Phone: 401-354-7640
Fax: 401-222-5736
Email: interpreter@cdhh.ri.gov
Beginning January 1, 2010, changes in the law, Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, will make it easier for some people to qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. Medicare will no longer count as a resource any life insurance policy, and will no longer count as income the help one regularly receives from someone else to pay your household expenses such as food, mortgage, rent, taxes or utilities.
ATEL Relocates: The Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan Program (ATEL) office has relocated to the Office of Rehabilitation Services at 40 Fountain Street in Providence. The new voice telephone number is 421-7005 ext. 357 and the TTY number is 222-1679. The email address for Program Coordinator Denise Corson is dcorson@ors.ri.gov . ATEL provides telephone equipment to eligible RI residents who have hearing, speech, or neuromuscular impairments.
Yoga for the Deaf: Focus Yoga offers a Yoga Basics class taught in American Sign Language for those who are deaf or hearing impaired. Instructor Cheryl Hollingworth is a teacher at the RI School for the Deaf and a yoga teacher at Focus Yoga, located at 2750 South County Trail in East Greenwich. Call 354-9129 or visit www.focusyoga.com .
FISH Transportation: Friends in Service to Humanity (FISH) is a volunteer program offering seniors transportation to medical, dental and social service appointments in the South County (North Kingstown, Exeter, Wakefield, Narragansett) area. Participants must be able to transfer into a car. For details, call 295-1121.
Quahog Support Group: This social group is open to anyone with MS and their loved ones. The group meets the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Holiday Inn’s Liliana Restaurant located on 3009 Tower Hill Road in South Kingstown. The group provides coffee with an option to purchase brunch. If you plan to attend or would like more information, please call Larue at 789-9143 or Joan at 539-2084.
Sign Language Classes: Perspectives Corporation is offering American Sign Language classes in Pawtucket and North Kingstown to its employees as well as members of the community. Beginner and intermediate classes meet once a week and run for eight weeks. The $125 fee includes materials. Classes begin September 29. Call Kate Scott at 294-3990 or visit the web site www.perspectivescorporation.com .
Accessible Playground: The Sarah Jane McCullough Boundless Playground, located at Richmond Elementary School at 190 Kingstown Road in Wyoming, is accessible to all children, including those with physical and developmental disabilities. It may be visited during non-school hours and on weekends.
Kosher Food Pantry: AgeWell RI, a program of Jewish Family Service, Jewish Seniors Agency and the Jewish Community Center of RI , has established the Full Plate Kosher Pantry which believes that no family should go hungry, especially on the Sabbath. The Pantry is open on Tuesday and Friday from ten to two except on Jewish holidays and is located at 100 Niantic Avenue in Providence in the former Colibri Building. The entrance is in the back parking lot. For more details, call Susan Adler, Director of Jewish Eldercare of Rhode Island at 621-5374.
Wheelchair Van for Sale: 1997 Ford E150. Fully loaded. Side entry with magnetic power side door. Power seat and hand controls. Zero effort steering with backup. 70,500 miles. Asking $12,000 or best offer. Call Nancy Gillespie at 783-0567
New Protections for Tenants in Foreclosed Properties
On May 20, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act, which is Title VII of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. This new federal law protects most tenants from immediate eviction by persons or entities who become owners of residential property through the foreclosure process. Specifically, the law enables a bona fide tenant who is leasing premises that are foreclosed to occupy the property through the full term of the lease term unless the new owner intends to use the property as his primary residence, in which case the lease can be terminated on 90 days notice. If the lease has expired or is month-to-month, the tenant is still entitled to 90 days notice to vacate. Additionally, this Act applies to Section 8 housing vouchers and states that a foreclosure does not constitute a reason to terminate an existing Section 8 lease unless the new owner plans to occupy the property as his primary residence.
A bona fide tenancy is one in which the tenant is not the mortgagor or a member of the mortgagor’s family, the lease is the result of an arms-length transaction, and the rent is not substantially less than the fair market value (accounting for subsidies). An arms-length transaction refers to a transaction in which the two parties have no overt common interest. The law applies to foreclosures through December of 2012 when the law sunsets. If you have questions, or if a bank is threatening to evict you in less than 90 days, call the Housing Action Coalition at 521-1461 ext. 12 or RI Legal Services at 274-2652.
SUPPORT OSCIL THROUGH THE UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN
You can support OSCIL’s programs and services through your company’s United Way Workplace campaign by designating the Ocean State Center for Independent Living. OSCIL sincerely thanks all our loyal United Way donors who have supported our agency’s services throughout the years.
INFORMATION SESSION ON WORK INCENTIVES FOR SSI/SSDI BENEFICIARIES
September 30
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
NetWorkRI at 1130 Main St. in West WarwickDo you receive SSI or SSDI benefits and want to work? Monthly informational sessions are sponsored by the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Project. Please RSVP to Jeanne Fay at 421-7005 ext. 405 if plan to attend.
COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HEART TO HEART CONFERENCE
Wednesday, October 7
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza in WarwickThe RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence is celebrating its 30th anniversary by hosting an all-day community conference featuring nationally recognized speakers and over a dozen workshops highlighting best practices. For registration information, call 467-9940 or visit www.ricadv.org .
PARI INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER’S ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER
October 15
Cocktails at 5.30 p.m. and Dinner at 7:30 p.m.
Rhodes on the PawtuxetThis year’s honorees are Southern New England Rehab Center and Dr. Finoccio and his black lab Marvin. Tickets are $50. Contact Jean Cavanaugh at 725-1966 ext. 33.
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND 39th ANNUAL CONVENTION
Saturday, October 24
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Radisson Airport Hotel in WarwickThe keynote speaker is Fred Schroeder, 1st Vice President of the National Office.
For registration information, call Richard Gaffney at 433-2606 or email info@nfbri.org .
RI ALLIANCE FOR FULL PARTICIPATION – 4TH ANNUAL GALA CELEBRATION
Thursday, November 19
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Crowne Plaza in WarwickPeople will share their stories about overcoming adversity to give back to the community.
This event is free. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to the PAL office at 785-2100.
OSCIL’S COMMUNITY LIVING OPTION PROGRAM
If you have a family member or friend who no longer requires the care and services of a nursing home and who is capable of living a more independent life in the community, but who may need accessible or affordable housing, assistive technology or community support services, please call the OSCIL office at 738-1013 ext. 13. Candidates for this program must be medically stable and motivated to participate in the transition process.
