UPS Delivers for Dreams With Wings!

 

 

DWW Client is a computer whiz and uses it to stay in touch with his family and friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to a substantial grant from The UPS Foundation, Dreams With Wings is one step closer to fulfilling our dream of providing the latest technology opportunities to our clients and staff. Our “Dreams Technology Up­date” campaign was born out of a need to provide computers, printers, fax machines and internet access to each of our nine residences as well as to connect them with the administrative office and Day Program site. This will allow everyone at Dreams to be connected in real time and provide additional safety and health supports. Clients will also use the computers to enhance their lifelong learning efforts and supported employment opportunities.

 

 

 “UPS has a long-standing commitment to making communities all over the world better by supporting organi­zations and engaging our employees in community service,” said Lisa Hamilton, president of the UPS Founda­tion. “Together with nonprofit partners such as Dreams With Wings, we work to make a positive impact on the lives of people in need.”

 

UPS employees provided over 50 hours of volunteer service to DWW in 2007 and we look forward to continuing this productive partnership. The UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues, in this case enhancing Dreams With Wings effectiveness and efficiency so we may strengthen the impact of the valuable services we provide to our clients and community.

(Submitted by K. Abney)

 

Dream Builders Day Program

Dream Team Cafe' Prepares Lunch

 

Dreams With Wings is a multifaceted organization, one of our many components, which we are very proud of, is our Day Program.  Our Day Program offers individuals who are not able to work in the community or who only work part-time a meaningful day.  On-going community activities such as volunteering and involvement in local events are at the core of this program.  Also included are opportunities for skill building and training in the areas of domestic skills, money, self-care, and literacy.  A typical day at Dream Builders might include a morning working at our Brightside Spot and then some swimming after lunch.   Once to twice a month Dream Builders host its own “Dream Team Café” which is open to the public for a wonderfully prepared noon meal.  The menus are creative and diverse offering something to everyone.  Donations are accepted to help off-set the costs.  The Dream Builders program is located at Calvary Lutheran Church in the Highlands. The staff ratio is 1 to 4.  Typically, this program is covered by the Supports for Community Living Wavier but also has an option for private pay. 

Dining at Dreams' Cafe'

For more information visit our website at dreamswithwing.org.

Jack O’ Lantern Stroll

On any crisp fall evening you might expect to see a few pumpkins carved and illuminated with candlelight, but…1000?  This is one of the many sights the children, young and old alike, have become accustom to in the Louisville Area as Dreams With Wings presents its 8th Annual Jack O’ Lantern Stroll, in the quad, at Bellarmine University. 

On the 24th of October from 6pm to 9pm thousands of Trick or Treater’s will enjoy Craft Making, Radio Disney, Music, Fire Dancing, Storytelling and of course CANDY!  The Stroll also serves Louisville’s Largest Pumpkin Pie!  This event is held rain or shine and Admission is Free!

A Large part of Dreams’ Vision is not only to have their clients interrogated in the community, both living and working, but also to contribute back to it.  At the stroll clients participate with carving pumpkins, assisting with preparation, and dressing in costume to pass out treats.  This is an event the clients reminisce about well into the winter months.

Donations welcome. All donations benefit Dreams With Wings, a non-profit organization that provides quality housing and support services for individuals with mental retardation, developmental disabilities and autism in our community. Visit www.dreamswithwings.org for more information.

More on Michelle P

This information was taken from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family services to help explain the Michelle P Waiver and show how individual might obtain services.

History

• Developed in response to a lawsuit between Protection & Advocacy (P&A) and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS)
• Lawsuit was filed in Federal Court in 2002
• An amended settlement agreement was approved in Federal Court on 7/14/08.

Overview

A waiver that offers individuals with intellectual disability or other developmental disabilities non-residential services.

• Non-residential
• Blend of services from the Supports for Community Living Waiver (SCL) and the Home and Community Based Services Wavier (HCB)
• Services alone or in any combination are limited to 40 hours per calendar week (excluding respite, case management, and home adaptations).

Eligibility Criteria

• Individual must have a diagnosis of MR or DD; and
• Individual must meet ICF/MR-DD criteria as defined in 907 KAR 1:835E or meet Nursing Facility level of care asdefined in 907 KAR 1:022; and
• Meet Medicaid financial eligibility.

Not Eligible

• An individual who does not requiere a planned program of active treatment to attain or maintain an optimal level of functioning.
• An individual who is an inpatient in a hospital
• An individual who is an inpatient in a nursing facility or an ICF/MR/DD
• Is a resident of a licensed personal care home
• Is receiving services from another Medicaid waiver program

Services that can be provided by Home Health Agencies under MPW

• Case Management
• Homemaker
• Personal Care
• Respite
• Attendant Care
• Environmental & Minor Home Adaptations
• Community Living Supports
• Occupational, Phuysical, and Speech Therapy

Helpful Websites

• Department for Medicaid Services  http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/
• Michelle P Waiver Website  http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/mpw.htm
• SCL Waiver Website  http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/scl/
• HCB Waiver Website  http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/hcb/

The Michelle P Waiver

In our efforts to provide information to our readers, below is the announcement and offical press release from The Kentucky: Cabinet for Health and Family Services website, on the Michelle P Waiver.

I can make a difference in my community!

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Department for Medicaid Services is pleased to announce the new Michelle P. Medicaid waiver implemented Aug. 1, 2008.

Statewide News Release:  

 

 

Health and Family Services Cabinet, Protection and Advocacy Agreement Approved

Enhanced Community Services Will Begin in August

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 14, 2008) – The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) and Kentucky Protection and Advocacy (P&A) have reached a compromise that will allow individuals with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities to begin the process to receive enhanced community services in August, under an amended settlement agreement for the Michelle P. class action lawsuit.

The agreement resolves the Michelle P. lawsuit, filed by P&A in 2002, that alleged Kentucky failed to provide adequate community services.

The amended settlement agreement was approved today in federal court, and a waiver covering the provision of the services was approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in early July. The court indicated it intends to approve the agreement after the anticipated remand from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“These approvals give the Cabinet for Health and Family Services the ability to move forward with an expanded array of services to support individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities in community settings, rather than in institutions,” said Governor Steve Beshear. “I am extremely pleased that, as a result of this agreement, we will be able to accomplish what Kentucky has needed to do for many years – offer a broader array of services for these individuals.”

“This is an exciting day for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their family members as the availability of these long-awaited supports is finally a reality,” said Marsha Hockensmith, director of Protection & Advocacy. “Supports available via the Michelle P. Waiver will bring much-needed relief to persons with disabilities and their family members.”

Under the agreement, the Michelle P. Waiver will serve the approximately 3,000 class action lawsuit members — currently on the waiting list for Supports for Community Living residential services — in the first year, assuming they meet eligibility requirements. Those individuals may choose to stay on the waiting list for residential services while receiving the new community supports. The agreement calls for serving an additional 1,500 individuals in each following year, until a maximum of 10,000 is reached.

The enhanced community services will provide non-residential supports and services needed by individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities to enable them to live safely in the community. A range of approved support services — including personal care, homemaker services, respite, adult day health, behavioral supports, and others — can be provided up to 40 hours a week. (http://chfs.ky.gov)

 

 

 

 

Summer Camp Activities

Summer Camp Plays Pool

Welcome to Dreams With Wings Blog

The goal of this blog is to inform the reader on legislature, news, and events pertaining to the Mental Retardation, Developmental Disabilities and Autism community.  We hope that by sharing this information we can answer questions, provide information and offer support to those with family members who have special needs.  We encourage your responses and feedback.