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Need services?
If you or someone you love needs services, contact your local Board of Developmental Disabilities to find out if you are eligible.
DODD – Developmental Disabilities Services Toolkit
If you are already eligible, ask your SSA for assistance. We will help you link to resources to meet your needs!
SSA Department – 330-477-5200
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How do services work, and what is Person Centered Planning?
It is important to know as much as possible the system and who to call for assistance. This video DODD’s Explanation of DD Services and Eligibility can help you navigate through some of the initial questions you may have on DD Services and Eligibility.
If you feel you or a loved one are eligible for DD services, you can also contact Stark DD at 330-477-5200 for help on where to get started.
Person centered planning is an essential part of individuals with developmental disabilities receiving services that help them live the life they want to live.
Ohio Self-Determination Association holds training for those interested.
Person Centered Planning Video
Stark DDs Person Centered Plan – Video
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Maintain good records, and keep your information up-to-date with your SSA, and why it's important.
Maintaining good records is very important. There could be numerous times throughout your life where you might need to produce an important record for multiple reasons such as health-related reasons, or eligibility paperwork for services you may need.
Personal records that should be maintained are social security card, birth certificate, medical records, and all evaluations (from schools, specialist, doctors, and other agencies).
Check out this Personal Care and Record Keeping Guide that can assist you with organizing your paperwork, and guide you on what to keep!
Keeping your information and records up-to-date with your SSA will provide an accurate reflection of your needs.
This will help professionals guide you to the most appropriate, available services.
Stark DD SSA Department – 330-477-5200, Contact Your SSA
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Attend, plan, and encourage your loved one to participate in their Individualized Service Plan (ISP)
Never assume that the assessed need will remain the same. Continual assessment is needed to meet ever-changing needs. It is important to be present and to participate in ISP meetings to ensure needs and wants are being met.
Transition to an Individualized Service Plan (ISP)
DODD’s Overview of Service Planning and Coordination
What is an ISP (Individual Service Plan)
Stark DD SSA Department: 330-479-3582 Email: ssaintake@starkdd.org
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Guardianship: An overview
Guardianship is a legal status, not a familial relationship. It is important to continually review and revisit any Guardianship plan that you have in place.
If guardianship hasn’t already been established at age 18, discuss whether a guardian is appropriate. If guardianship has already been established, it is best to have a plan if the current guardian cannot continue in that role.
By Definition, a guardianship is an involuntary trust relationship in which one party, called the guardian, acts for an individual called a ward. The law regards the ward as incapable of managing his or her own person and/or affairs.
Stark County Probate Court – 330-451-7759
Stark County Probate Court – Guardianships
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Self-determination and Self-Advocacy
All people should be empowered to be able to make decisions about their own lives; that’s what Self-Determination and Self Advocacy are all about.
Check out these links to the DODD Website for more information on Self-Determination and Self Advocacy:
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Technology - how can technology benefit people with DD?
Adaptive Technology can lower barriers that people encounter in their daily lives, such as speaking, travelling, reading, and writing. It can allow people to participate and enjoy the benefits of the digital society, with the access to the same information as everyone else.
Technology can help assist people with DD in gaining more independence. Check out this link to the DODD’s YouTube Channel where you can find stories on how AT has helped people with DD gain more independence.
DODD YouTube Channel – Supportive Technology
Service & Support Administration
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Employment, Benefits, and Community Integration
We all continually re-evaluate employment goals, and people with disabilities are no different. Stark DD funds employment services for eligible adult individuals based on their assessed need.
SSAs (Service and Support Administrators) can help assess you and link you to services that meet your needs.
What are the employment services?
It’s important for an individual to know how work, benefits, and healthcare go together. Below are some resources that can help navigate through the ins and outs of working and receiving benefits.
Being a part of the community doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Finding enjoyable activities and events to attend and participate in is meaningful, in addition to home life and employment. Being a part of the community provides a base for natural community supports!
These resources can help you find events in your own community:
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Keeping Up-to-Date on Medical Appointments, and Resources for People with MI/DD
It is very important to have a primary care physician, eye doctor, dentist, and any other specialists you may need. Staying on top of your health is essential!
For people with Mental Illness/Intellectual Disabilities (MI/ID), it is important for there to be a correct balance of services between DD and mental health to help your family members be as healthy and successful as possible.
Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery
Mental Illness/Intellectual Disabilities Ohio
Contact the SSA Department and ask for the Stark County MI/DD Collaborative Representative at 330-479-5200.
*This is a collaborative effort between Stark DD and the Mental Health Board where the agencies work together to wrap services around someone with dual diagnosis.
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Emergencies: Health and Safety, Housing, and Financial Assistance, and who to contact.
There are resources in our community to access when health and safety are questioned.
Stark DD SSA After Hours Number – 330-438-9550
Major Unusual Incident Hotline – 330-477-4477
Adult Protective Services – If you suspect elder abuse, please call Stark County Job and Family Services at 330-451-8998
Stark County Health Department – 330-493-9904
Crisis Center 330-452-6000
Knowing what supports are available eases fear and allows for transition before a crisis arises. Below we have included resources for housing assistance in our community.
Stark DD SSA department – 330-477-5200
Stark Metro Housing Phone Number – 330-493-9533
You may run into financial situations and need assistance, good news is that there are agencies that can help!
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Waivers: Do you need one? Have a Waiver, and need help picking a provider?
Medicaid waivers are a funding source, but whether you have a waiver or not, Stark DD will help you find resources to meet your needs.
There are three different types of waivers: Individual Options (IO) Waiver, Level One Waiver, and Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) Waivers.
Waivers can help pay for employment, day program, in home care and other services. If you feel that you or someone you love may need a Waiver, contact the Stark DD SSA Department: 330-477-5200.
Choosing the best provider is very important. Determine what is important to you and use that to pick a provider.
SSAs are there to help you navigate through the Free Choice of Provider interview process, call 330-477-5200, to speak with your SSA.
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Do you have an IO waiver and want to learn about Shared Living?
Shared Living is a type of service offered for someone who has an IO waiver.
Services offered are adult family living and adult foster care. Many people have found these services very beneficial.
An individual, or an organization, may become certified as a Supported Living provider to provide Medicaid and/or non-Medicaid funded services to individuals with DD living in their own homes, or as a provider of waiver services.
Call the Stark County Board of DD at 330-477-5200, and ask your SSA for more information and assistance to navigate the process.
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Assist people to plan for end-of-life decisions
To help families understand the wishes of their loved one, it is important to discuss and plan for end-of-life decisions.
End of Life Planning and What to Expect Article
The Stark DD SSA Department is also available to help you navigate this process. 330-477-5200
Adulthood Information
Adulthood
This is the time to continually ask “What is important to you” and make plans to support those dreams.