2006 MTSTCIL Legislative Priorities

WV Division of Rehabilitation Services Employment Attendant Care Program.

The WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS) operates a long term Employment Attendant Care Program which is similar to the RYPAS program but is only for individuals with severe disabilities who are employed but need attendant care services to maintain their employment.

Mountain State Centers for Independent Living supports the Division's request to maintain the budget at $179,000.00 and supports any increase in funding that will enable the Division to provide services to individuals on the waiting list while continuing to serve those already on the program and working.

Background

This program was established in 1985 by the WV State legislature to empower adults with significant physical disabilities to enter or continue in the workforce. The intent of the program is to enable eligible adults with significant physical disabilities to obtain and maintain regular employment, thereby enhancing opportunities for participation in society, self-fulfillment and economic independence.

To be eligible for financial assistance under the Employment Attendant Care Program, the following criteria must be met:

The participant is 18 years of age or older;
The participant has a significant physical impairment which for the participant, constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment;
The participant meets economic criteria for financial assistance;
The participant needs a total of 28 or more hours of approvable personal care attendant services semi-monthly to obtain or maintain employment; and
If not currently employed, there is a reasonable expectation the participant will obtain employment within six months.
Fiscal Year 2005 Statistics
Currently there are 19 participants receiving reimbursement through this program. Reimbursement rate is the current minimum wage of $5.15 per hour
Recipients reside in Berkeley, Cabell, Kanawha, Mineral, Monongalia, Raleigh and Summers counties.
Seventeen of the 19 participants are receiving the maximum number of hours (75) of reimbursable service on a semi-monthly basis.
Total expenditures in Fiscal Year 2005 totaled $170,523.10.

This program is funded completely from state government appropriations to the WVDRS unclassified line item.

Waiting List

There are currently 8 individuals on the waiting list who are requesting approximately 300 hours per pay period of personal assistance services. To meet that need, an estimated $37,080 is necessary to meet their needs. Employment opportunities for these individuals are pending their opportunity to access this program and receive the necessary support.

Individuals on the waiting list reside in Berkeley, Braxton, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Nicholas and Randolph counties.

Actions to be taken

Please contact your Senate and House Finance committee members and urge them to maintain the $179,000 funding level for Fiscal Year 2007 for the WVDRS Employment Attendant Care Program. An increase in funding of $37,080.00 will enable the Division to provide services to individuals on the waiting list while continuing to serve those already on the program and working.

Senate Finance Committee members are: Senators Helmick, Sharpe, Bailey, Boley, Bowman, Chafin, Edgell, Facemyer, Guills, Love, McCabe, Minear, Plymale, Prezioso, Sprouse, Unger, and Yoder.

House Finance Committee members are: Delegates Michaels, Doyle, Hall, Anderson, Ashley, Boggs, Border, Browning, Cann, Carmichael, Evans, Frederick, Houston, Kominar, Leach, Palumbo, Proudfoot, Stalnaker, Susman, Ron Thompson, Varner, Wakim, H. K. White, Gil White and Williams.

You can call 877-565-3447 to leave a message with legislators. Emails and letters are equally important.

See list of West Virginia Senators and West Virginia Delegates for contact information.

For more information on the WVDRS Employment Attendant Care Program please contact:

Barbara King, WV Division of Rehabilitation Services, 304-766-4965 or 800-642-8207 or Barbara.King@wdrs.org
Brenda Goodfellow, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living, 304-652-2116 or bgoodfellow@mtstcil.org
Larry Paxton, Appalachian Center for Independent Living, 800-642-3003 or paxacil@yahoo.com

Posted: February 1, 2006