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Vol 3.
5555 Conner St. - Suite 2224 Detroit, MI 48213 - Main Floor 313.963.1655
Empowering People with Disabilities
October 1, 2020
HOTLINES - 313-706-2750 - 313-923-1655
Dexterity News
COVID-19 NEWS: Due to these unprecedented times that we are all experiencing, Disability Network Wayne County Detroit is doing their part to “stay home and stay safe” as staff work remotely to practice safe social distancing. If you are in need of assistance, then please contact the Disability Network Wayne County Detroit helplines. We appreciate and thank you for your continued cooperation as we navigate through these uncertain times.
Disability Network Wayne County Detroit
Lori Hill-Sanders, MA, LLPC, CBSP Executive Director
DNWayne
Food Handlers Certification - Culinary Crew
TRAINING@DNWAYNE.ORG
DNWAYNE - COVID-19 Needs Assessment Survey To better assist you in time of this COVID-19 Virus Crisis, please fill out this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZV5M3MC
COVID-19 UPDATES
Community Assessments The Home Help Services unit is completing a community assessment using a survey. The purpose of the survey is to assess the impact of caregivers/personal assistants on the everyday lives of consumers. This includes medical appointments, household tasks, complex care tasks, cleaning, transportation, and the use of a telephone. The Blind and Visually Impaired Support Group completed a survey that asked questions on the vision for the 2020 year, speakers and speaker topics for the new year, an assessment of the impact of the support group on the lives of the group, and suggestions.
Resources that we have provided to consumers has included information on food banks, shelter, grocery shopping hours, unemployment insurance, symptoms, stigma, prevention, and how to get tested. Disability Network Wayne County-Detroit response to Covid-19 (March 2020) As of March 13, 2020 Disability Network Wayne County - Detroit cancelled all face to face appointments and closed its office doors to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Each of our services are now being provided to consumers virtually. We created a direct helpline for our consumers to contact us via phone. The new contact number is advertised daily through our website and social media platforms. We have also provided resources to our consumers via social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), including: information on food banks, shelters, grocery shopping hours, unemployment insurance, mental health hotlines, Covid-19 symptoms, stigma, prevention, how to get tested, and answers to general questions. We also updated our website with COVID-19 resources. Disability Network Wayne County-Detroit response to Covid-19 (April 2020-present) We are now providing our services live via Facebook and online chat on our website,www.dnwayne.org. For Facebook live, we are administering services through live video sessions and consumer interaction, which includes a weekly update from our Executive Director, Lori Hill. In addition, we are providing consumers with instructional videos to assist them through these troubling times. These videos include information such as living well through exercising or arts and crafts, discussing the five pillars of the pre-employment transitional services, housing resources, food resources, and healthy meal preparations. Other services discussed are Nursing Home Transitions, financial literacy, social security information and updates, assistive technology demonstrations, advertisements for our loan closet, MiCAFE information and walkthroughs, answers to questions regarding unemployment, and the value of Home Help Services during a pandemic. Our online chat services allow for consumers to get their questions answered regarding our services or referrals to services outside of our office. We have also updated our website with COVID-19 news and resources.
The following is a list of financial resources and services: Food Assistance Coupons to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers markets Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) 517-373-8230 If you’re homebound and in need of meals Eldercare Locator to connect with your local area agency on aging 800-677-1116 Meals on Wheels Your local Area Agency on Aging can assist you with further information on finding a Meals on Wheels provider or Senior Center in your area. Information about local food banks or food pantries Food Bank Council of Michigan 800-552-4483 To apply for food benefits Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) 855-275-6424 For older adults age 60 years and older, assistance provided with applying for food benefits Elder Law of Michigan MiCAFE Program 877-664-2233 If you’ve been denied food assistance from MDHHS, the Salvation Army may be able to help. Contact your local Salvation Army office Housing Concerns Homeless and special housing needs, rental assistance, and affordable assisted rental housing Michigan State Housing Development Association (MSHDA) Lansing: 517-373-9344 Detroit: 313-456-3540 In risk of losing your home, help with home repairs, weatherization, rental and relocation assistance Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) 855-275-6424 Mortgage payment assistance and home foreclosure Step Forward Michigan (MSHDA) 866-946-7432 If you’ve been denied housing or rental assistance from MDHHS, the Salvation Army may be able to help. Contact your local Salvation Army office In Home Care For financial and physical assistance to be able to maintain capacity within your own home Michigan Association for Home Care Home Care Service Directory 517-349-8089 Eldercare Locator to connect to your local area agency on aging 800-677-1116 Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) Independent Living Services 855-275-6424 Legal Services Free legal services for older adults age 60 years and older Sixty Plus, Inc. Elder Law of Michigan 866-400-9164 Lawyer referral service State Bar of Michigan 800-968-0738 Legal advice, information, advocacy, training, and professional services Elder Law of Michigan 866-400-9164 Medicare and Medicaid To apply for Medicaid Medicaid 855-789-5610 To apply for Medicare Medicare 800-722-1213 For help with issues regarding Medicare or Medicaid Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) 800-803-7174
help agencies
Director of Finance kalyn.fulwylie@dnwayne.org
TIMMIE ROBERTS
KALYN FULWYLIE
Executive Administrative Assistant, chaunice@dnwayne.org
CHAUNICE KNIGHTON
Executive Team
Executive Team: Rod Revels - HR Director Jeana Tall - Director of Resource Development Kote Etim - Director of Communications Anisha Jordan - Director of Curriculum and Instruction
ONGOING SERVICES
LORI HILL-Sanders
BSP Executive Director, lori.hill@dnwayne.org
GREGORY SHEARROD
Director of Operations gregoryshearrod@dnwayne.org
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Wayne County Network Team - Ashley Jackson: Transition Specialist, Pre-Ets - Ricarl Benjamin: Transition Specialist, Pre-Ets - Ivontae Corbin: Transition Specialist, Pre-Ets - Mike Evans: Transition Specialist, Pre-Ets - Lydia Butler: Independent Living Specialist -- Charde Goins: Independent Living Specialist - Aftan Malone: Independent Living Specialist - Robert Gurley: Receptionist - Sara Norwood: Receptionist - Eleanor Johnson: Program Manager, Special Projects - Janice Zachary: Transition Navigator - Malesa Mcghee: Public Relations Manager
Program Manager timmie.roberts@dnwayne.org
Assistive Technology, Health, & Nutrition We teach consumers about prescription needs, such as medicine bottles, and preparation of microwavable meals (e.g. green bean casserole) using pictures. We also train visually impaired consumers about safety around the house and the kitchen. We also teach consumers about advocating for themselves. Benefit Planning Counseling We provide personalized services designed to help and educate individuals understand their benefits (e.g. Social Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and reach their employment goals. Community Transition Services We help consumers transition from nursing homes to living in apartments or houses within the community. Referrals are made to other ongoing services for consumers. We advocate for consumers to have services placed in their homes. Healthy Living & Wellness Training We provide peer-facilitated health promotion workshops for people with disabilities. These trainings help individuals learn the life skills they need to set and achieve a high quality of life. Home Help and Health Services The Home Help Service is designed to support individuals who wish to live independently in their homes rather than live in an adult foster care home, home for the aged, or nursing facility. We meet one-on-one with consumers to enroll them into home help services. We also give presentations about home help services. Housing Assistance We provide our consumers with awareness regarding public housing as well as training to educate them on landlord and tenant issues. Independent Living Skills We provide tools to help develop abilities and empower individuals that lead to greater independence. We offer vocational and employment preparation, group and individualized training, and community based recreational opportunities. Pre-Employment Transitional Services (Youth) We provide services to youth with disabilities to ensure that they have access to meaningful career planning opportunities and a seamless transition from high school to employment or post-secondary training. We teach youth about life skills, job exploration, work readiness, self-advocacy, peer mentoring, and financial literacy.
We are dedicated to healthy nutrition. Look for new programs.