ASK At The Arc Jacksonville
Advocacy, Support and Knowledge for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and circles of support.
ASK provides information about issues that impact individuals with disabilities throughout the life span.
ASK is the place for families to locate information, find support and begin to understand the journey that lies ahead.
ASK works in the Community to expand awareness, increase opportunity, promote partnership and eliminate barriers for individuals with disabilities.
ASK promotes partnerships between families and schools. Together they can make a difference in a child’s life. ASK provides support to those partnerships through training, information and individual assistance.
ASK provides, promotes and collaborates with others in the community to ensure that training, workshops and conferences are provided that address the needs of individuals with disabilities, their families and those that work with them.
ASK is committed to helping individuals with developmental disabilities achieve improved self-sufficiency, independence and quality of life through information, training, and support. ASK will work to improve service accessibility and integration throughout the community in the areas of:
Additionally, individuals with disabilities and their families will develop an improved understanding of how to access, participate in and influence the design and policies of the systems and services that serve them.
Life Span
From the first moment that a disability is diagnosed many concerns, issues and questions arise, and they change throughout the lifespan. The ASK at Arc Jacksonville program compiles information in THE PATH to assist families in the N. E. Florida area.
Early Childhood
When the family is told that their baby is not developing as expected the first journey is one of diagnosis. When concerns are noted in a child’s development Florida’s Early Steps program is the place to turn for early intervention services. Being able to identify available Services in the community also becomes important. Connecting with support groups can assist the family with needed information and support. This is also the time to consider estate and future planning. First Steps: A Guide for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities is a great publication put out by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council for families of infants and children with disabilities. If your son or daughter has Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Prader Willie, Mental Retardation or Developmental Delay you should apply to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for services when your son or daughter turns three. You can contact ASK at The Arc Jacksonville for additional information.
Pre-School
After being told that your child will be leaving Early Steps new challenges arise. Transition becomes the new word. Where do we go from here? To pre-school disability programs, community pre-schools, Voluntary Pre-K programs, Head Start, stay at home, therapies, and what does segregation/inclusion mean? Education becomes a main focus. The Department of Education has some wonderful publications that can help you. SSI, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Children's Medical Services and other government programs may be able to assist with Services that your child may need. Planning Ahead is important on this journey.
Education Years
For children with disabilities this becomes a world of, Evaluations, Eligibility, Individual Education Plans, 504 plans, Related Services, Supports, Interventions, Therapies, and Specially Designed Instruction that families need to learn to negotiate. Developing long range goals is important. When planning each year for the IEP it is important to know the type of diploma that you expect your son or daughter to receive when they exit from high school, even in kindergarten. Other changes also occur during these years, and assisting a son or daughter with disabilities through these changes and rites of passage can be a challenge. ASK can provide assistance with understanding this process. The Department of Education, Central Florida Parent Center , Wrightslaw , and other resources can also be of assistance.
Transition
Sometime around the age of 16 the word transition is again the topic. The planning to assist your son or daughter become an adult and move into post secondary education, employment, community, and/or adult services begins to take shape. This is a time to assist your son or daughter to learn to be self-determined and the skills to be as independent as possible when they become an adult. It is important to understand adult services and programs that may assist as your son or daughter becomes an adult. Unlike education services that seek out, identify and offer services to children with disabilities, it is the responsibility of the individual with disability or his or her family to apply for adult services. Some individuals with disabilities are eligible for Supplemental Security Income Benefits when they turn 18 based on their own income and assets. Eligibility for many other disability benefits are also based upon an individual being determined to be disabled by Social Security. When applying for disability determination by Social Security it is most helpful to read the portions of The Blue Book listings of impairments that apply to the individuals disability before filling out the application with The Social Security Administration.
Adulthood
Individuals with disabilities become adults at 18 in the state of Florida. They may also be eligible to stay in school until they turn 22. It is important that they go ahead and apply for adult benefit programs before they turn 18 even though they may remain in school for another four years. Adults make their own decisions and give informed consent for medical treatment, and are legally able to enter into contracts. The same rights as any other citizen of The United States of America and the State of Florida are also theirs. If an individual has a disabling condition that leaves them unable protect themselves and make decisions in some areas of their life consider legal ways of protecting rights at this time. Most individuals with disabilities have the same dreams and desires as everyone else. They want to work, have a place of their own, have friends, participate in recreation and leisure activities. When they also need some supports to be able to achieve their dreams it is important to understand they systems that can provide these supports. Many individuals can achieve their goals with only natural supports. Others require financial assistance from programs: SSI, SSDI, and/or Economic Self sufficiency services through ACCESS Florida. Vocational Rehabilitation can provide assistance for individuals with disabilities who have a goal of going to work. The Social Security Administration has many work incentives that help individuals receiving their benefits to go to work and be more self-sufficient. Healthcare planning is important also at this time. Individuals age out of pediatrics between 18 and 21 depending upon the provider. Transition to adult health care services can be facilitated by JaxHATS. It is important to consider health care coverage. Most private/corporate insurance plans only cover children until they turn 18. Some will cover full time students until they turn 26. Very few have extended coverage for adult disabled children. The difficulty of obtaining medical coverage may make Medicaid available to individuals receiving SSI the main reason for applying for SSI. Medicaid also pays for durable medical equipment, therapies and other treatments that typical health insurance may not offer. There are many aspects of adult life that have to be planned to assist individuals with disabilities to have a quality life.
Aging
People with disabilities want to retire just like everyone else. Some disabilities also cause the aging process to occur earlier. Depending upon the disability early aging may need to be considered in making future plans. A question often asked by parents is who will take care of their child when they are gone. This is the same question often asked by adults with more significant disabilities – Who will help me when my parents are gone? There are many different answers to these questions. The answers are as different as the individuals asking them. The time to start/adjust the planning is now. The ASK at the Arc Jacksonville program through training, workshops, conferences, and individual assistance is committed to assist individuals with disabilities, their families and circles of support face these issues and plan for the future.
Protecting Rights
Under Florida law, an individual is no longer a minor at the age of 18. At age 18 an adult is legally responsible for him/herself. An adult should sign for his/her own consent unless he/she is cognitively unable to give “informed consent.” There are a variety of ways to legally protect the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities but it just depends on the individual and keep in mind that the least restrictive way to protect rights is always the best. There are different Advance Directives which express a person’s desires concerning any aspect of his or her health care in advance such as Living Will, Healthcare Surrogacy, as well as Power of Attorney or Durable Power for healthcare decisions or conducting other business. Through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities a family member or friend can be appointed as a Client Advocate (Section 393.0651 F.S.) to assist with the support plan and services provided by the agency. An individual can appoint someone through the Social Security Administration to be his/her Representative Payee who will receive and manage benefits on their behalf. Joint bank accounts, trusts and other options are available to assist with financial decision-making. The other option for protection of individuals with very limited capacity is Guardianship. Guardianship is provided in Florida under Section 744, Florida Statutes. There is also a Guardian Advocate (Section 393.12 F.S.) which was written specifically for individuals with Developmental Disabilities. For additional information read Planning Ahead and The PATH about legal ways of protecting rights. A.S.K. at The Arc Jacksonville has a program that assists individuals seeking Guardianship/Guardian Advocacy in Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties with this process. This service is totally dependent upon private donations and grants received by The Arc Jacksonville specified for the Guardianship program. We are seeking donations and searching for other grants to continue the program and will try to assist with any requests for services depending upon funding available. Contact our office if you need assistance with guardianship services.
Finding Information
Finding information on disability related topics is not always as close as your public library. ASK at the Arc Jacksonville maintains a library that is open to individuals with disabilities, their families and circles of support. There is a broad range of materials on disability related topics available for check out.
DD Shoptalk
The DD Shoptalk Group is a great opportunity to exchange information and to share social activities that are happening in the greater Jacksonville area that would be of interest to individuals with developmental disabilities. The DD Shoptalk group site contains an interactive community calendar and is an exchange forum for people interested in developmental disabilities happenings in the Jacksonville area
Click here if you are interested in joining the DD Shoptalk group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ddshoptalk/
Follow the Yahoo prompt JOIN THIS GROUP to become a member. Remember to keep your Yahoo ID and password handy if you want to go in and utilize the site.
ASK Listserve
The ASK program operates this listserve to connect families, professionals and individuals with disabilities with information about workshops, training, conferences, public hearings, legislative alerts and other disability related information that impacts Northeast Florida. Many times information needs to get to people quickly and this listserve serves as a vehicle to reach many people in a short time. This listserve will not fill up your e-mail inbox, but, you will receive great information, and be connected with resources that will be of value.
Click here if you are interested in joining the ASK listserve group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASK_NE_FL_Disability_Advocacy/
Follow the Yahoo prompt JOIN THIS GROUP to become a member. Remember to keep your Yahoo ID and password handy if you want to go in and utilize the site.
Additional Links
Duval County Public Schools, Exceptional Student Education (904) 390-2071
http://www.duvalschools.org/
http://www.duvalschools.org/static/ourschools/clusters/special_schools.asp
Agency for Persons with Disabilities, District 4 (904) 992-2440 or toll free (866) 273-2273: (866) APD-CARES
http://apd.myflorida.com/area/4/
Florida Diagnostic Learning Resource System Crown Associate Center (FDLRS/CROWN) (904) 346-4601
http://www.fdlrscrown.org/aboutus.asp
City of Jacksonville, Disabled Services Division (904) 630-4940
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation+and+Community+Services/Military+
Affairs+Veterans+and+Disabled+Services/Disabled+Services/default.htm
Independent Living Resource Center of Jacksonville (ILRC) (904) 399-8484
http://www.cilj.com/
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (904) 356-8371
http://www.jaxlegalaid.org/v2/
Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (904) 213-3040
http://www.rehabworks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=SubMain.About
Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville (904) 353-6300
www.dsaj.org
