¶ Intro
It just seems Meghan like, we keep coming back. We keep hitting the record button, and we keep talking. So I guess that's where we are.
It feels like we were just here.
I'm wonder where that came from. Hello, I am Patrick Cadigan. I'm a public school special education teacher. Who is my co-host?
I am Meghan Smallwood, and I'm a public school transition coordinator.
And we are here for P2Transition or Post-Secondary Transition. I don't know, Meghan, what are we doing here?
Over the last few conversations, we talked about how we decided we were going to do some 101-style conversations, to essentially introduce parents to the world of secondary transition, and more specifically, post secondary transition. So we're continuing our way up that ladder. We started with an overview, we covered what a transition coordinator does, we
did some timelines. And now we're going to cover the big one DDA the big one, but we typically have a definition for what Post-Secondary Transition is to start. So what is that definition?
So post-secondary transition, it really focuses between ages 14 through 21. And it really helps to answer that question of what do you want for your child after they leave school? We're looking to help answer that question by asking parents to think long term, the milestones ahead of them the research the resources, the goals you have.
And so how do we define long term? Well, what do you want your child to be doing after the school bus stops coming? Right? That's different for everybody. It's a completely individualized experience. So along with that, individuality can come loneliness. And in some cases, a sense of isolation, because it's a really unique experiences. But there are other families who are going through this probably the same time you are, yeah.
And along the journey, there's milestones that you're going to need to focus on. Some of them are built around timeframes. Others can be essentially your own timeframe when you're comfortable and ready. But using your child child's school experiences will really help while doing that research, using the resources at your disposal, such as your school transition specialists, and other teachers. And all of that is imperative, it's a lot of information, there is a lot
to consider. And truthfully, in many cases, the answers will not automatically or immediately present themselves, there might be some good, there might be some take. And there will be things that you do that might not have that desired outcome, trying to do it all at once can feel really consuming. So we're here hoping to help clear away some of that Bach.
¶ What is DDA?
Today, we're gonna discuss a little more in detail about DDA, the Developmental Disabilities Administration, and all of their myths...
all of the funness that goes along with try talking and understanding...
I was trying to phrase it, yes, in a very positive light.
All right, well, why don't we? Why don't we do a general overview, why don't we start with what is DDA?
Yeah. So DDA is basically that primary state agency that funds life after 21, that long term funding, not to say there aren't different avenues prior to 21. But the big concern I think most of us have at this point is after 21. And that could include like a meaningful day, whether it's employment, volunteering, or community exploration, it's very individualized, whatever is the best fit for your young adult.
It could also include residential and personal supports, we will definitely get more into that those details as we go along. All right.
So and I know that this has come up more than once, but it's always good to do you know, some of the same questions again, and again, just as a reminder for parents to hear it know what's coming up. When should the DD app bet that mean? Because I can say it really fast five times in a row. When should a DDA application first be completed?
So we advise to be completed at age 14, which is one of those transition pages first begin appearing on the IEP in our county, but you can complete it even before then. And I know many parents who have used other resources or providers, you know, especially when a child is first diagnosed, especially with autism, many of the people that they come into their lives to help them will suggest completing a DD application, just get it off your plate and taken care of. So there's no harm in doing it
prior, but definitely by 14. And the application can be found on DD A's website. Or if you were in high school, you can ask your transition specialist for a copy. And even if you're not in high school, if your young adult is in middle school, you can still ask the case manager and they can always get in touch with coordinating transition specialist for the high schools
in the area. Some details in completing the application, you need to make sure to include certain documentation with that application, the application does not take long. It's just double pages, basically asking street board information, what the disability is, how much help they need, what other agencies you may have been receiving help from already. But the advice straight from DDA has been to send those applications and documentation electronically.
And then if I remember correctly, yeah, that was something that you had recommended out before, simply because some of those applications like they get they can get lost, right?
Yes, absolutely. And that's happened a lot. During the pandemic, I had families who completed it mailed in hard copies. Once you know, life, somewhat resumed to normal operations. DCA did not have any record of it. So it was like starting over. So definitely send it electronically. With that documentation, like I mentioned.
And when I say documentation, I'm talking psychological assessments, any medical records that really explain the severity of a disability, the IEP a behavior plan, educational assessment, and if you have any questions, or if you need copies, you can definitely ask your transition specialist for help with that. But definitely send that along with the application.
Well, and I know that it's come up before one of the things that I feel like was mentioned, when we discuss timelines, was that like with the evaluations that while you're collecting it, while you're making this binder, this this home folder? That documentation should be within three years? Is that the I remember it specifically in terms of like psychological, but it does that also apply to like the the health the like the healthcare information as well.
Yeah, absolutely. And I think when they actually do the assessment, or you know, talk a little more, and I know with other different resources to like a thinking SSI, they want to know, within the last three years of any hospitalizations, major surgeries, things like that, just to document how recent any medical concerns have been.
¶ DDA- The Application
So I will say, and if we don't have it already, maybe we can include the email address for the central region as to where to send the applications for DDA.
I am not 100% sure that that is on the site. By the time we're done with this conversation, it will be. And the other thing is, if I remember correctly, because I know that sometimes navigating the DDA site itself can be a little daunting. We also have a copy of the application on our what is DDA page, so you can just travel there, and it's very straightforward. There's not a lot of stuff there. So and then, as far as the email address, yeah, I'm gonna throw that in there too.
Awesome. And that is specifically for central region, which our county is included, if you need to know of other counties and what region they fall into that can be found on the actually on the app, the application, the last page of the DD application. And I will say we also have the DD application or DDA has it in Spanish as well.
I think that that's, that is up on our site as well. We are so helpful.
Look at that. Look at us saving the world, one document at a time. So after you complete that application and
¶ Tip- Date on the application
send it along, I advise parents to write the date on the top of your application or on a sticky along with what documentation you sent with the application just to have it on hand because I know previously, I've had parents send it. And I would put a copy in the transition file at school. And we would not hear anything from DDA. And I would go and check with the eligibility specialist who would say we don't have any application on file for that
student. And I remember one scenario where I was actually able to go back and see oh, no, this application for you know, John Smith was sent on March 12, with this documentation, and lo and behold, an email came back Oh, Yes, we've found that application. So as we all know,
¶ DDA- The Application (con't)
it's not a perfect system. Keep records. And don't be afraid to be the squeaky wheel. Since the pandemic, I think we, the transition specialist parents, we've all seen that needs to happen. And you need to be your biggest the biggest advocate for your child.
And then so once the application has been submitted, what's the next step in the process? Like how like, essentially, how would, what's the guarantee that the families would find out that they're that their application was received?
So once the application is then submitted, usually within a couple of weeks, you should get a letter, typically a letter from DDA. So just be mindful of your mail. Because a lot of times the DDA will come back and say, Oh, we sent a letter we never heard from the family. And I should say before, I'm mindful of that timeline, because DDA said we've sent it, and parents haven't
gotten it. And I find that kind of odd, you can always ask your transition specialist to help help reach out figure out who to go to if they haven't heard anything.
Is that letter or the packet that they receive? Is that is that specific to the families? Or is that something that is due it gives you general information?
I'm glad you said that, because it is a very generic letter, whether it is to set up, I'm ahead of myself, the generic letter will be sent after they make a determination. And that can be very confusing. But ahead of that, you will get a letter saying that they want to complete a comprehensive assessment with you and your young adult. And that is when you will actually have a coordinator come to your house. And it's a random coordinator just assigned to the case. And they have to meet your young
adult, and meet with you. And just make sure everything that they read about them on paper fits what they are seeing and hearing. And just to clarify how much need really is necessary for this young adult, especially, you know, as they get older, and I know, thinking about like the IEP process, we'd like to come forward and you know, review all the strings and progress that our child has made during the year. With DDA, it's
the opposite. You really want to think about your child on one of their hardest days, and let them know just how much help they would need to get by and how much help you would need to get by they need to know the most amount of support that would help this person have a meaningful life after 21.
And I know that this has come up before the DDA
¶ What about help/supports right now?
is typically funding for after 21. My thoughts go to is there anything that will help parents like right now?
Yeah, so and I've encountered this a lot, especially since the pandemic, you know, it's been hard on a lot of families and help is needed. It's all great to fill out an application for DDA, but then to hear that it's not really until after 21. It's kind of disheartening. So like I said before, there are circumstances prior to 21. That funding could
be available. And from DDA side, there's the family supports waiver, which could be for children and the families, but it requires certain statuses which would be their crisis resolution or crisis prevention. Oh, that... Yes.
That sounds pretty...okay. So what is, how would you define crisis resolution.
So in DDA's eyes, crisis resolution is when there is a significant crisis present, and services are needed right away, because they are either experiencing a lot of physical aggression in the household either towards others, or the young adults expressing it towards themselves. They're going to be homeless, they might be a victim of abuse or neglect, or they're living with a caregiver who's not able to provide the care to them,
because of impaired health. So I've gone down the path with a few families about behaviors and the increase in behaviors from their young adult and, you know, puberty hits, and usually does spike with many. So it's just important to be very honest and open about what you are experiencing at home. So that they know that the there really is a need for it.
So that would be crisis resolution. And then how is that different from crisis prevention?
So crisis prevention is that within a year, they noticed that services may be needed. And it could be that they are at risk from meeting crisis resolution within the year, or even if they have a caregiver who is 65 years or older, and they recognize that it's getting harder for them to care for them. So it's just they're recognizing that the
need may be there. But of course, DDA is going to see if there's any Other resources or any other providers that can help, you know, take care of them prior to using DDS funding for anything. So it will see if there's other, you know, waivers or other avenues to go.
So crisis prevention is kind of looking at things long term, whereas crisis resolution is the immediate?
Current; right.
Got it. Okay.
Yep.
And then so we have, so that and that is all under the umbrella of the Family Supports Waiver. Now, if I remember correctly, I remember, we, it had come up before Low Intensity Support Services, or LISS and what is... LISS funding, LISS funding. And what is that?
So that is funding that is given through a lottery process, it's a random selection, and it's provided two times a year in the fall in the spring. And unfortunately, if you if you're young adult is on the autism waiver, they are not eligible for this. But it does provide up to $2,000 each time to help any eligible children or adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities to purchase different services or
items for their needs. And DDA has a lengthy list on their website that gives examples of what the funding could be used for. But just to give you some examples, I know families who have used it to pay for summer camps each year, any modifications that might be need, might need to be made to
the home and adapted bike. If you want to buy an iPad, for your young adult, or even if you want to make a garden in the home, if they have an interest in horticulture, it is a great possibility to get that extra money for some help.
So with LISS, you had mentioned that this is a lottery. And I'm pretty sure I know what that means. But could you just give me, could you tell me what that means just for anybody who's not sure.
It's a simple little application, I think it's just like one page that you submit, and your name is put in there, or your child's name is put in there and you get a letter in the mail to find out if you have been given or granted the money. You do not need to have a DDA application on file either. This is kind of separate from that. So it's something that can be accessed before 21. And it's even something that can be accessed after 21.
All right, so we have the so we've talked about the Family Supports Waiver, Low Intensity Support Services, is there anything else?
So, if you have young adult is applicable for medical systems, there are waivers available through there such as Community First Choice that can help with some of those personal supports needs in the home. And if you are not eligible, or if you're an adult is not eligible for medical assistance yet when they turn 18 and I know we've kind of talked about the the timeline with receiving SSI and then automatically being eligible for Medicaid or medical assistance, then they would be eligible for
this. So Community First Choice is a waiver through Medicaid that could provide some personal care, personal supports. And usually they're not the staff, you'd be given hours. Each number, each individual gets a certain number and it is not typically you won't be taking them in the community. It's more to help in the home with the grooming and hygiene just to give the caregiver a little break Community First Choice is a nice option to to kind of fit around your DDA funding after
21. So for instance, you know, and we'll get a little more into it. But with DDA, it is about a meaningful day. So meaningful day. And we look like different things for different people. But let's say you have a day program
as your meaningful day. But mom or dad go to work in the morning or they're still at work in the afternoon when the day is over for the young adult, that Community First Choice could be used on either end, in order to provide some assistance, you know, getting them ready to go or getting them off the van and staying with them in the house until they get home. It's just a matter of working the funding.
¶ The CCS & Future Need / Current Request & back again
Taking the next step then when one of the common acronyms that we always run into is the CCS or the Coordinator of Community Service. So what is that what would be a definition of Coordinator of Community Service?
Yeah, and that will kind of be bring me back up because I don't think I've finished going through the whole process after you have that assessment that comprehensive assessment, but the CCS is the coordinator of community service and they are kind of your middleman to DDA. Might, they might be your lifeline at times as you approach 21. But they will be an I think coordinator
is the key word. They are your coordinator for the DDA services after you finish that comprehensive assessment, and you need to be on the lookout for a letter from DDA. Again, if you don't receive anything in a timely manner, then try and reach out either to your transition specialist or the eligibility specialists of a DDA just to follow up, they will send that generic packet that
everyone gets. And the key thing to be on the lookout for is what the they have deemed the status for your young adult at that time. Within all that text, you'll see a little section that might say, you know, DD Future Needs; no CCS assigned. So what that is telling you is that they've determined that your young adult will be eligible and will need that funding at 21 after they leave the school system. And they're saying that there's no funding now, because
they're not 21. And I think that's the most confusing thing for a lot of families, because I will get a very, you know, anxious phone call or email saying, well, they said, there's no funding. I said, Well, that's true. They don't have funding right now, because they're not 21. But they're telling you yes, when he hits 21, they will be ready for him. So do the future need, it's a good thing. DD Current Request means that they recognize typically that your child will be exiting within
three years. So this usually is the status for students who are ages 18 to 21. And current request would usually mean you're assigned a coordinator or CCS. Sometimes, and I don't know why DDA does this, but I've had students who were 14 or 15, and our current request I, there's no rhyme or reason to it. But hey, then you get a coordinator assigned, which isn't a bad thing, you won't get much from them at that point. But you'll have a person who may change again and again and again before
they get 21. But so DD Current Requests, basically recognizes that they also will receive those services at 21, but you might have a coordinator now. And then the last category is supports only. Now this one could be for a few reasons. supports only basically recognizes, maybe there's a need but not enough need. And they're not going they're not eligible to receive services at 21, you're not gonna have a coordinator, and used to be
waiting list. But they're just there's nothing for that group now supports only I've had families who have been given that status before, just because when they submitted the DDA application, they didn't include documentation with it. So DDA didn't see the need or recognize the fact that even though they have a disability, it might not impact them long term yet, they needed that, you know, reports
or IEP to show that it does. The other reason could be if there was too old of documentation sent, they just need more current assessments completed and sent to them. So I wouldn't worry if you got a support only and your child is still younger, usually by 18. If they are still supports only, I definitely suggest sending them updated assessments. And if you don't have those from school yet, try and find out where that
reevaluation is happening. So it can align and you can get those updated assessments, it's possible to upgrade the status from that. So back to that coordinator, the Coordinator of Community Services, CCS, usually, when you are told that you're going to be assigned when you get another generic letter from DDA, and says you need to pick an agency, otherwise, we're going to pick one for you. And again, parents don't know what to do, I wish they didn't send so many generic letters, because
it's just so impersonal. But anyway, they will list the different agencies you can pick from, and you're the parent is just supposed to select one. And I always get the question, well, how do I know which one's better? What do you suggest? Who should I go with? And honestly, you can look at the websites, you can gather information about each one, but your best resource would be talking to other parents, and who have a coordinator and ask them their
opinion. And go on those Facebook groups for parents or you know, if there's a group through this the county or your school, just gather some information from others who are going through it, that's going to be your best bet. And I can tell you, amongst all of them, since the pandemic, there has just been a huge turnover. And it's unfortunate, but I can't say one has it better than the
other. But it really comes down to the coordinator that you're assigned, not so much the agency, because you might have a really good coordinator with an agency that others are like me, and you always have the option to change coordinators and agencies. And it's not an overly long process. I've had parents in their exiting years switch agencies and it was only a two week turnaround and they were matched up with a new one. But just so you know, for our county, we have four or five
now. Nope, six now sorry, they just added a new one. And that would be Service Coordination. And then MARS or Medical Management and Rehabilitation Services, the Coordinating Center, Optimal Health Care, Total Care, and the newest one is Beatrice Loving Heart.
But, again, it sounds like the best thing to do is to talk to other parents, like...
Absolutely.
An use their experiences.
And I will say to, there can also be confusion. These are not the agencies who are going to provide the actual services through DDA. These are the agencies that the coordinator who you will pick or the agency that you will pick, the coordinator will be assigned to you to help you navigate the DDA providers and timeline and paperwork.
Once again, there's always a lot of information there. All right. Well, I would I want to say that that will be a good place to stop.
I agree. I think that's plenty.
¶ Outro
Thank you for joining us, make sure to follow the information from this and other shows in our show notes. Make sure to like follow and share the podcast if you can. And check out our website. It's chock full of information around transition. Also hot off the presses, check out our new YouTube channel. We don't have any original content yet. But we have currently a lot of curated videos around guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, ABLE accounts, and
there'll be more to come. So be sure to subscribe that as well. And please, if you have any questions, or you want to hear more information about something, please reach out. You can find our contact information on the website along with lots of other information. So please go to www dot post secondary transition.com
Fantastic. All right. Well, I think we're done.
I think so. I think that was good.
Okay, well, I'm gonna stop pressing the record button.
All right, I'll see you next time.
Thanks, guys. Bye bye.
Bye.