National AT Act Entities ConferenceWashington, DC

Dave Matheis, July 2014

Experience of KATLC (Kentucky’s AFP) Leadership of the Kentucky Office of

Vocational Rehabilitation Emphasis at the federal level as an anti-

poverty strategy The obvious need of individuals with

disabilities

Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation

Began lending in summer of 2000 Have loaned more than $8.5 million Fifth Third Bank as lending partner 60% of our loans are for hearing aids and

25% or for vehicles and/or vehicle modifications

Governing statute limits what KATLC can get involved in

Instituted a Benefits Analysis Service fee for counselors to use when WIPAs were suspended

Well received by counselors who were now guaranteed of receiving the report to use as a counseling tool

Paid for 469 Benefits Plans in first full year of service

Preliminary data indicates rehabilitation rate of SSA Recipients who received a benefits analysis is 38% higher than those who didn’t

Held on October 10th, 2012. To begin a dialogue and build a

framework on how the asset-building community and disability community could work together to develop programs that stimulate economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.

Sponsors included KYOVR, Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA), Fifth Third Bank, KATLC, Center for Accessible Living, Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Kentucky SILC.

Technical assistance provided by Southeast Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Center (Atlanta)

Attendees included representatives from various disability-related agencies and service providers, Louisville Metro Government, Bank on of Louisville and Lexington, IDA providers, and others

Got the conversation started Created partnerships that that became the

foundation for several collaborative initiatives

Immediately following the Summit, TACE trained KYOVR’s 16 field managers and selected counselors in asset development and financial education

In the fall of 2013, KYOVR and TACE cooperated on a pilot to incorporate asset development into vocational rehabilitation counseling

Counselors in two selected districts received training and technical assistance from TACE to incorporate financial goals into two or three Individual Plans for Employment

Pilot is ending and results are being studied

The SILC incorporated asset development activities into the 2014-2016 State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL)

KYOVR and SILC will conduct at least four regional asset development summits (in partnership with other state and local partners)

KYOVR, SILC and the state’s centers for independent living will work together on a Car Individual Development Account (IDA) with the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association (KDVA)

Partners with KDVA’s existing state-funded car IDA for domestic violence survivors

Participants must earn less than 200% of federal poverty level;

Unlike the federal AFI IDA, earned income is not required;

The savings match is 1:1 – participants save up to $2,000 and $2,000 will be earned in match;

Participants are required to complete ‘Car Maintenance 101’ and a Car-IDA workbook;

Financial education and case management for participants are required;

Cars can be purchased outright or money can be used as down payment for a loan;

Pilot targets two rural areas of the state in far western Kentucky and northeastern Kentucky

Since it is an independent living service, two CIL satellite offices are collaborating, developing IL goals for participants

KYOVR is funding the program with Social Security Reimbursement proceeds

Partners include KYOVR, Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities, Kentucky Asset Building Initiative (KASI), KATLC, KDVA, and SILC

Local partners include Bank On, local asset building coalitions, individual banks, and community action agencies

Owensboro in December of 2013 and Bowling Green in May of 2014

Plans for Ashland in October

The Institute on Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Has selected Kentucky as one of two states (along with Minnesota) for a project to provide enhanced services to 500 individuals who are SSDI recipients

As part of model being tested, VR counselor, benefits planner (CWIC) and job placement provider must work as a team to provide just-in-time services

Financial education and planning will be a vital part of the service model

Developing a financial assessment tool and a directory of resources for the project

Have developed a partnership with Louisville Metro Community Services in the Louisville Metropolitan area

Using their Community Financial Empowerment Certification program to train KATLC and KYOVR staff

Collaborating with their effort with the National Disabilities Institute’s LEAD Center to provide a range of financial capability services and extending these services to low-income individuals with disabilities         

Contact Information:Dave MatheisKentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation(502) 782-3420daves.matheis@ky.gov