Building Economic Futures for Americans with Disabilities
Real Economic Impact Tour
Links to Important Asset Building Resources
- Medicaid Infrastructure Grants (MIGs)
Funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), states have great flexibility to advance employment and self-sufficiency goals. The goal of the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) program is to support people with disabilities in securing and sustaining competitive employment in an integrated setting. The grant program provides money to states to modify their health care delivery systems to meet the needs of people with disabilities who want to work.
In Ohio, the funds have supported the planning and implementation of an Asset Development Summit. The link below will connect you to the state contact list for MIGS.
www.cms.hhs.gov/TWWIIA/03_MIG.asp
Contact the state lead and explore ways you might work together on an asset building agenda for people with disabilities.
- Developmental Disability Councils
Councils on Developmental Disabilities are located in every state and territory and represent a federal-state partnership in developing futures for and with people with developmental disabilities and their families. Councils are charged to identify the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities and to develop innovative and cost effective ways to meet the needs in a manner that upholds the human and civil value of people with developmental disabilities.
Funds flow from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) to each State Council. Each state develops a five year plan to spend the federal funds on system change activities. Funds support training and demonstration projects and can help develop new innovative approaches to community inclusion and advancing independence.
The link below will connect you to the Council in your state.
http://www.nacdd.org/pages/councils.htm
Contact your State Council and learn more about their priorities and the work of their education and employment committees. The Councils in Florida, North Carolina, New York, and Georgia are supporting asset building projects. Explore opportunities to share with Council staff and members what you are doing and impact on persons with disabilities.
- Disability Program Navigators
Funded by the US Department of Labor to your state Labor or Workforce Investment Agency, the Navigators are responsible for improving interagency collaboration to advance employment goals for individuals with disabilities. Employment is a first step to promote economic well being. Navigators can help bring disability organizations and the resources of the One-Stop Career Centers to help be a part of your Asset building coalition efforts. Forty-five states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have Navigator projects and there are over 500 Navigators nationwide.
The link below will connect you to a state lead individual who can provide you with contact information to Navigator locations within your state.
http://www.doleta.gov/disability/new_dpn_grants.cfm
Navigators can help you with marketing and outreach activities.
- Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Grantees (WIPA)
Funded by the Social Security Administration, there are 104 WIPA grantees in all 50 states, DC, and the territories. WIPA grantees are typically community-based organizations like Goodwill and Centers for Independent Living. A WIPA may also be a state Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. WIPA grantees have staff called Community Work Incentive Coordinators (CWICs) who assist Social Security beneficiaries with planning to enter or return to work without loss of need public benefits. CWICs often work collaboratively with the Navigators to promote economic empowerment.
The link to connect to your WIPA is:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/ServiceProviders/WIPADirectory.html
CWICs can help you with outreach to the disability community.
- Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs)
There are 10 regional DBTACs funded by the US Department of Education to provide free information and TA to promote compliance with the ADA and remove physical and communication barriers to access.
The link to connect to you regional DBTAC and a range of resources:
Staff may offer your coalition members free sensitivity training to be responsive to the accommodation needs of people across the full spectrum of disabilities.
- FDIC Regional Community Affairs Offices
FDIC has an outstanding financial education program: Money Smart with 10 modules to teach money management and understanding credit. This training program helps adults outside the financial mainstream enhance their money skills and create positive banking relationships.
The link below will connect you to the staff in the regional offices:
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/community/offices.html
The Community Affairs staff will provide free materials and train trainers in your group.
- Protection and Advocacy (P&A)
P&A agencies provide legal representation and other advocacy services, under all federal and state laws, to all people with disabilities (based on a system of priorities for services). These agencies also devote considerable resources to ensuring full access to inclusive educational programs, financial entitlements, health care, accessible housing and productive employment opportunities.
The link below will connect you to the P&A program in your state:
http://www.ndrn.org/aboutus/PA_CAP.htm
Invite your P&A representative to be part of your community partnership.
- America Saves Week
America Saves is a nationwide campaign in which a broad coalition of nonprofit, corporate, and government groups help individuals and families save and build wealth. Through information, advice, and encouragement, the campaign assists those who wish to pay down debt, build an emergency fund, save for a home, save for an education, or save for retirement.
America Saves Week is a new effort aimed at reaching more institutions and individuals to increase awareness that people need to save money, reduce debt and build wealth. The primary focus of America Saves Week is to encourage Financial Action – commitments to save, invest and build wealth.
The link below will connect you to more information on how to get involved in America Saves Week (which this year is February 24-March 2):