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Maryland offers "The New Directions Waiver" as a means of self-directing state and federal Medicaid dollars for individuals who qualify for supports due to their disability.

This offers the disabled individual the opportunity to use those dollars to best meet their own unique needs. However, it comes with the responsibility to create a plan, a budget, and find your own resources to make the plan a reality.

No centralized source of resources exists. The purpose of this blog is to direct others to resources in our communities and to provide one example of a self-directed plan. (*Caution: The self-directed plan described at the beginning of this blog is for an individual with a 5/5 needs rating, the highest possible rating in Maryland, and therefore the highest budget possible. Most will have a lower rating and a lower budget to work with.) It is also to share firsthand knowledge of experiences that may assist others who self-direct services.

Comments are welcome. Please share your knowledge with others.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Access Ministry- What is it?

I love this page for people of any and all faiths, because it not only describes the programs available to support disabled individuals and their families, but it also explains how to start an access ministry within whatever religious community you may belong to. Again, this is not my church, but so far it is the only Church I know of that makes such a effort to include and support people affected by disabilities. If you know of another such program, please comment on this post and share the information.

To see all of the programs and the guidelines for starting an access ministry within your own religious community, copy and paste this URL
http://www.mbctysons.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=84062

Here is the introduction from the Welcome page to Access Ministry:

"HomeAccessWelcome to Access MinistryWelcome to Access Ministry

Welcome to Access Ministry
Welcome to Access Ministry
Get Connected!
Access Ministry Programs
Volunteer at Access
Upcoming at Access
Community Lecture Series
Access Wish List
Access Program Contacts
Welcome to Access Ministry
Welcome! We are so thrilled you are visiting Access Ministry’s website. Whether you are a new family, potential volunteer, or church leader, it is our hope you will connect, learn, and be encouraged by what you see and read on our website.

Access Ministry is the "disability ministry" of McLean Bible Church. While the word "disability" is used, we prefer to think of Access as a ministry of "possibilities" not defined by what can’t be done but rather by what all individuals regardless of ability level can achieve in God’s house. We believe in Access to God for all His people and celebrate our uniqueness and differences. It is our hope to develop all people into fully-devoted followers of Christ, integrated into the church.

Access Ministry has a holistic approach to care for individuals with disabilities and their families by providing spiritual, physical, and emotional care. We accomplish this through an incredibly passionate staff and core group of volunteers with servant hearts. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me.

Here to Serve,


Jackie Mills-Fernald
Director, Access Ministry
703-770-2942

Access Home
Respite
Friendship Club
Beautiful Blessings
Support for Parents
Accessibility Summit
Soaring Over Seven Summer Camp
How to Start a Disability Ministry"
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