New ABLE Investment Accounts Similar to Popular College Savings Plans

DOVER, Del. – Delaware State Treasurer Ken Simpler announced today that Delaware will join a multi-state consortium known as the National ABLE Alliance to establish an “Achieving a Better Life Experience” program. The decision to join the Alliance was approved by the State’s Plans Management Board after an extensive, yearlong review conducted by the Office of the State Treasurer and the Board’s ABLE Task Force.

Soon Delawareans with a qualified disability will be able to own and maintain a tax-advantaged account to save and pay for disability-related expenses while preserving their federal benefits. As a member of the National ABLE Alliance, Delaware will share in the efficiencies and benefits of having a common program manager while retaining the ability to customize key features of the ABLE program to meet the needs of Delawareans with disabilities.

“First and foremost, our priority is to provide Delawareans with disabilities a fiscally sound means to achieve a more secure economic future,” Simpler said in a statement. “ABLE accounts will empower them to make long-term planning decisions according to their specific needs.”

Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island as well as the District of Columbia are members of the National ABLE Alliance. Delaware joins these states in working together to create a shared platform to drive down costs for participants while providing robust features and investment products.

“The National ABLE Alliance proudly welcomes Delaware to the multi-state consortium,” said Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. “Delaware’s Office of the State Treasurer has been a strong advocate for the ABLE program and an active participant in discussions since the beginning. We are excited that our partnership will allow the Delaware disability community to take advantage of this new savings and investment program for people with disabilities at the lowest cost in the nation.”

Eligibility for ABLE accounts is limited to persons with a qualified disability that onset before the age of 26. Funds in the accounts can be used to pay for education, health care, transportation, housing and other disability-related living expenses. Earnings on investments in ABLE accounts accumulate tax free and are never taxed so long as they are applied towards qualifying expenditures. For more information about ABLE, please visit the Delaware State Treasurer’s website.

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NEW CASTLE (Oct. 19, 2017) – The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has given final approval to Delaware’s Statewide Transition Plan for complying with the federal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) final rule. The rule defines home and community-based settings for participants in Medicaid HCBS programs.

The Statewide Transition Plan, submitted by DHSS’ Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, describes the activities Delaware has undertaken to achieve and maintain full compliance with all federal requirements. CMS required all states to develop a Statewide Transition Plan to outline how they would come into compliance with the final rule by March 17, 2019.

“We are grateful to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for this final approval so early in the overall process,” Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker said. “Community inclusion is fundamental to our mission at DHSS and to the people with disabilities whom we serve. Now, thanks to the work we’ve done with stakeholders across the state, we have the road map to ensure that all Delawareans with disabilities have full access to community inclusion through a strong system of home and community-based services. We look forward to continue working with individuals, families, providers and other community partners so we can strengthen the plan further.”

Transition plan documents are available at: http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma/hcbs_trans_plan.html

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Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Delaware’s Disability Mentoring Day to Provide
Career-Building Experiences for 56 Students with Disabilities on Oct. 17;
39 Employers in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties Participating

NEW CASTLE (Oct. 17, 2016) – Delaware’s Disability Mentoring Day continues to grow, this year with a record 56 students with disabilities to receive valuable career-building experiences on Oct. 17 by visiting a record 39 employers in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. Disability Mentoring Day is held each October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Sen. Chris Coons, whose Wilmington office is among the employers offering job-shadowing experiences, will be the keynote speaker at the Courtyard Marriott-University of Delaware in Newark. In Newark, 26 students will spend a portion of their day at 26 workplaces learning about the skills that are required for jobs in which they have expressed an interest. Keith Bosco of Community Integrated Services will be the guest speaker at Dover Downs Hotel, where 15 students will travel to seven work sites for job-shadowing experiences. And at Woodbridge High School, 15 students will get valuable exposure at six job sites.

“Disability Mentoring Day provides a valuable experience for young people with disabilities as they make the transition from school to the world of work,” said Gov. Jack Markell, who made advancing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities his nationwide initiative while serving as Chair of the National Governors Association for 2012-2013 and has championed continuing efforts in Delaware. “The students learn what is expected at a workplace and whether the work matches their interests. For employers, they get the opportunity to meet these enthusiastic young people with incredible abilities and willingness to work.”

Disability Mentoring Day is a national program, and in Delaware, the collaboration involves several agencies, educational institutions, business groups, and organizations, including the University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies, which started the first Disability Mentoring Day in Delaware seven years ago. Joining the collaboration are the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the Department of Labor’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Department of Education, Glasgow, Christiana, Smyrna, Dover and Woodbridge high schools, the Charlton School in Dover, the Better Business Bureau of Delaware, the Delaware Business Leadership Network and Easter Seals of Delaware & Maryland Eastern Shore. The group is co-chaired by two young people with disabilities – Alyssa Cowin, an operations support specialist with DHSS, and Julia Hensley, who is working through Easter Seals at Victory Fellowship Church.

“Disability Mentoring Day is another important career-exploration experience for young people with disabilities to have,” DHSS Secretary Rita Landgraf said. “We know that increasing the number of workplace experiences they have, gives them a greater chance of being hired by an employer who will harness their talents and skills. Employment is the path to financial security, independence and inclusion as a fully contributing member to society.”

“Career exploration is a critical component of high school and college programs for all students and, in particular, students with disabilities,” said Brian Freedman, associate director of UD’s Center for Disabilities Studies. “Experiences like Disability Mentoring Day help students realize, and then advocate for, the types of jobs they want … and don’t want. We have seen Disability Mentoring Day lead directly to long-term internships and paid employment for several participants.”

Students from UD’s Career & Life Studies Certificate (CLSC) program and DHSS’ Division for the Visually Impaired, along with students from Christiana and Glasgow high schools, will participate in job-shadowing experiences in the Newark area. Students from Dover and Smyrna high schools and the Charlton School in Dover will go to job sites in the Dover area. Students from Woodbridge High School and the Division for the Visually Impaired will network with employers there.

Janell Booker, Michael Buono and Zachary Martin, all 2016 graduates of UD’s CLSC program and the 2015 Disability Mentoring Day, will speak in the afternoon at the Newark host site. The on-the-job experience that the three received illustrates why the Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is such a strong supporter of Disability Mentoring Day.

“Providing students with special needs the opportunity to shadow employees at a variety of businesses will greatly enhance their ability to make their own meaningful career choices in the future,” DVR Director Andrea Guest said.

Employers participating in Disability Mentoring Day are:

New Castle County (26): Sen. Chris Coons, WVUD Radio Station 91.3, Best Buy, National 5 & 10, UD REP Theatre Company, UD Physical Therapy Clinic, UD Sports Media Relations, Kohl’s Department Store, Pet Kare II, Casino at Delaware Park, Home Depot, Precious Paws, UD Rodney Fresh Bakery, PNC Bank, Switch Skate & Snow, UD Horn Center, Walgreens, California Tortilla, Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, UD Early Learning Center, UD Student Health Center, UD Office of Admissions, UD Carpenter Sports Building, UD Theatre Department and UD Fashion & Apparel Department.

Kent County (7):  DE Auto Service and Sales, Dover Downs, Department of Labor’s Employment and Training-Dover Office, Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital, Royal Farms, Air Base Mobility Command Museum and MainStay Suites.

Sussex County (6): Woodbridge High School School Resource Office, and Woodbridge School District’s Raiders Daycare, Cafeteria Crew, Transportation, Field/Turf/Facility Maintenance/Management Crew, and Custodial Crew.

Follow Disability Mentoring Day year-round on Facebook at Facebook.com/DelDMD or on Twitter @DelawareDMD. To access a blog post written by two 2015 Disability Mentoring Day participants, go to:
http://blog.cds.udel.edu/if-the-shoe-fits-two-ud-students-learn-on-the-job/

NOTE TO MEDIA: To download photos from Delaware’s Disability Mentoring Day 2015, go to:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/deldhss/albums/72157660234067825

For more information, contact Jill Fredel, Director of Communications, (302) 255-9047 (office)
or (302) 357-7498 (cell).

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Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

NEW CASTLE – At the annual Division of Public Health (DPH) flu immunization clinic at the New Castle Farmers Market, Governor Jack Markell urged Delawareans age six months and older to get their annual flu vaccination as early as possible. Then he pushed up his sleeve to receive his own flu shot.

“Get your flu vaccination, not the flu,” Governor Markell said. “The flu vaccine protects you and your family, co-workers, and others. The flu is easy to transmit and you can get it from healthy – but unvaccinated – children and adults.”

“All Delawareans, especially our elderly, our young children, those with chronic health conditions and compromised immune systems, need protection,” said Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Rita Landgraf who also received a flu vaccine at Friday’s clinic. “Even if you’re not in a high-risk group, you likely live or interact with those who are.” Individuals with lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions are at risk of suffering such complications from influenza as pneumonia, worsened asthma, and circulatory problems.

Last year’s flu season was particularly difficult. During the 2014-2015 flu season, Delaware had 28 reported flu-related deaths and over 2,300 reported flu cases, compared to four deaths and more than 1,700 reported flu cases in the prior season. The biggest challenge last year was the unexpected mutation of one strain. Past experience showed that this particular strain resulted in more hospitalizations and deaths, especially among those at highest risk of complications from flu infection. These include older people, the very young and those with underlying medical conditions. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is confident of a better match between the vaccine and this year’s circulating viruses.

“The protection offered by vaccinations is important for everyone, not just those at high risk,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Healthy people who get sick from the flu might not be hospitalized or die, but they might miss important school or work functions or fun events like family time, holidays or a vacation or get other people sick.”

Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu, Dr. Rattay recommends getting vaccinated as soon as possible, preferably by the end of October. Seasonal flu activity commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.

The Farmers Market flu clinic is one of 36 DPH flu clinics scheduled statewide from October through December. It also doubles as the site for a mass flu immunization emergency preparedness drill. Among other things, this year the drill is testing DPH’s ability to quickly and efficiently serve people with disabilities and ensure their needs are met as part of a larger vaccination event.

“Many Delawareans have access and functional needs – seniors, people who use wheelchairs, walkers, and canes, people who speak a different language, and those who cannot see or hear or use the English language well,” said Nick Fina, who has profound, lifelong hearing loss. “I’m glad that Delaware Health and Social Services is offering additional accommodations in recognition of our needs, and that they are receptive to suggestions.”

Flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, and fatigue. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Providers can prescribe antiviral medicines to make illness milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and even death.

DHSS asks Delawareans to first seek flu vaccine from their health providers. DPH flu clinics are available for those who without a doctor, who cannot pay for the vaccine because they are uninsured, or who do not have insurance that covers the vaccine. Flu vaccinations are also available through most area pharmacies, grocery stores, and college health centers.

Though the DPH flu clinic vaccinations are free, donations and Medicaid are accepted. The DPH clinics located at the Hudson State Service Center in New Castle County, the Williams State Service Center in Kent County and the Adams State Service Center in Sussex County also vaccinate ages 6 and above by appointment. Children ages 6 months to 8 years who receive the flu vaccine for the first time need two doses, with the second dose given at least 28 days after the first dose.

For Public Health vaccination clinic dates or find out how to schedule an appointment, call the Delaware Immunization Hotline at 800-282-8672 or visit www.flu.delaware.gov.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

Wilmington – Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Rita Landgraf has been chosen to serve on the new U.S. Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez announced Monday.

Landgraf, who has spent more than 30 years of her career in support of individuals with disabilities, served as a key adviser to Gov. Jack Markell during his yearlong initiative as Chair of the National Governors Association to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  The Governor’s 2012-2013 initiative, “A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities,” culminated with the release of a blueprint for his fellow governors specifically focused on the role that state governments and businesses can play in creating more employment opportunities for people with disabilities and on improving employment outcomes. Landgraf continues to work with the Governor to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Delaware’s private, nonprofit and public sectors.

“I am thrilled Secretary Perez has chosen Rita to serve on this new advisory committee,” Governor Markell said. “She is an ideal choice to move this work forward on a national level because she never forgets that, at its core, this is about people and the talents and skills they can share with others in the workplace. As the employment picture continues to improve nationwide, it is important we find additional ways to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. With Rita’s knowledge and experience, she is uniquely qualified to do just that.”

Under Governor Markell’s leadership and in partnership with the business community, Delaware reported an 8.6 percent increase in active employment for individuals with disabilities from 2011 to 2013. Markell also has made hiring of people with disabilities a priority for state government using hiring practices and programs to increase employment levels.

After the University of Delaware, in collaboration with the State of Delaware, conducted a comprehensive survey of state employees in 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) identified two key areas for training: disability awareness among all employees, and refinement of state hiring practices and systems in order to recruit more qualified applicants with disabilities. An online class, “Focus on Ability,” became available to all state employees in October 2014. A classroom training program for managers and supervisors will begin this year.

Secretary Landgraf, who has served as DHSS Cabinet Secretary since January 2009, is the former executive director of The Arc of Delaware and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Delaware. She also served as president of AARP Delaware. She was nominated to serve on the U.S. Advisory Committee by the National Disability Institute and received a letter of recommendation from Governor Markell.

“I was honored to be nominated by the National Disability Institute and to be supported by Governor Markell, and I am equally honored to be selected to serve by Secretary Perez,” Secretary Landgraf said. “My entire career has been motivated by this deeply rooted belief: We all benefit when individuals with disabilities are able to share their gifts and talents with others and vice versa. We know that too often what separates people with disabilities from the rest of the population is financial security. I believe, as the Governor does, that individuals with disabilities should not have to choose between meaningful employment and retaining the supports and services they receive through Medicaid and other government programs. I look forward to advising Secretary Perez on ways to advance employment opportunities across the country for individuals with disabilities.”

The new U.S. Advisory Committee is a key provision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed into law by President Barack Obama in July 2014. The law supports job seekers, including individuals with disabilities, access services to succeed in employment and matches employers with skilled workers. The committee will advise the U.S. Secretary of Labor on ways to increase competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities.

Integrated employment refers to jobs held by people with disabilities in workplace setting where the majority of employees do not have disabilities. In these jobs, individuals with disabilities earn wages consistent with those paid workers with disabilities performing the same or similar work, making at least minimum wage and are paid directly by their employer.

Secretary Landgraf is one of 17 selected members of the committee chosen from more than 280 nominations nationwide. Seven federal officials will also serve on the committee. Other members represent:

• Self-advocates for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities;

• Providers of employment services, including those who employ individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in competitive integrated employment;
• Representatives of national disability advocacy organizations;
• Experts with a background in academia or research in employment and wage policy issues for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities;
• Representatives of the employer community;
• Other individuals with expertise on increasing opportunities for competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The first meeting of the committee will take place Jan. 22-23 at the U.S. Access Board in Washington. More information about the committee, its members, and upcoming meetings can be found at: http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/WIOA.htm.

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