Other CORD services - Program Description and Service

Attendant Care Training
Case Management
Community Barrier Removal
Community Voice Mail
CORD Sponsored Activities
Protective Payee Program
REACH Program
Rural Outreach

Attendant Care Training (back to top)

The Attendant Care Training Program is specifically designed to help meet the individualized needs of each participant. Classes are conducted in small groups of four or less in order to accommodate the learning styles and skills of each person in training. The training can be conducted at CORD’s office, or the consumer can request individual training sessions within the privacy and comfort of their own home. The course consists of three components:

SECTION ONE: Getting Ready:
Assessing the help needed
Evaluating desired work traits
Developing a job description
Developing an emergency plan
Creating a “work-friendly” environment

SECTION TWO: Hiring
Advertising
Screening
Interviewing
Checking References
Hiring

SECTION THREE: Training
Examining learning styles
Breaking down tasks
Effective communication skills

Case Management (back to top)

Case Managers conduct assessments, develop and implement individualized case plans unique to each person’s needs and strengths, provide assistance with linkage and access to available resources, and advocacy. Case managers deliver services in a variety of venues, meeting the comfort needs of each individual.

Community Barrier Removal (back to top)

CORD collaborates with city engineers to build wheelchair curb cuts at new and existing intersections.

Community Voice Mail (back to top)

Community Voice Mail (CVM ) is a free service offered to individuals who are phoneless, have low or no income, and are in need of phone service. Individuals are given a personal 7-digit phone number to use to retrieve private and important messages, which can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CVM is meant to be a primary source of phone service, not voice messaging for people who already have a phone. There is no need to connect a phone. CVM is computer operated so individuals can retrieve messages from any phone by simply dialing their number and entering in a secure code number that you create.

Participation requirements include:

-Users must get a CVM box through a participating agency, such as CORD.
-Users must sign an Agreement of Understanding and Outcome form prior to receiving a CVM box.
-Users must maintain contact with the case manager or an agency representative where they received the CVM box.

If you do not qualify for CVM, you may be eligible for the Washington Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP). WTAP provides reduced phone bills and discounted connection fees for qualified low-income Washington residents. What are the benefits?

-50% discount on telephone connection fee (once a year)
-Discount on monthly telephone service
-Waiver of local deposit (once a year)

WTAP is limited to the first telephone line in your home and does not apply to business phones. WTAP does not pay for telephone equipment, custom calling features, or long distance service.

If you are receiving any Department of Social and Health Services Programs (DSHS), you may be eligible for WTAP benefits.

For more information on WTAP or a current listing of CVM providers, contact Brandi Zellmer at CORD.

CORD Sponsored Activities (back to top)

ADA Evaluations and Site Reviews
CORD advocates for the protection and rights for persons with disabilities, ensuring local businesses and community organizations comply and adhere to the ADA (Americans with Disability Act).

Advocacy Day
Once a year, a selected group of self-advocates travel with CORD to Olympia to address issues that are crucial to the lives of people with a disability. Self-advocates are responsible for meeting with their local representatives to discuss various legislative issues. Training is provided on the current legislative topics for those chosen to participate. For more information on Advocacy Day or to apply for a self-advocate position, contact Ed Kennedy at CORD.

Spina Bifida Support Group
Evergreen Spina Bifida support group promotes the well being, education, and socialization of all people affected by spina bifida and fosters public awareness of this birth defect. Members of Evergreen Spina Bifida Association are people affected by Spina Bifida including family members, friends, and professionals. Anyone with an interest in Spina Bifida can become a member.

As a Spina Bifida member you will receive: emotional support, a newsletter with up to date information on medical, therapeutic and rehabilitative advances, recreational activities, and legislative issues. Additionally, a lending library containing information on spina bifida, secondary conditions, social events, new parent packets, educational scholarships and pertinent information on rights of people with disabilities are available. For students, “teachers kits” are available to enable instructors to better understand spina bifida and how to provide assistance to the spina bifida student.

For more information contact Ed Kennedy at CORD or visit Evergreen Spina Bifida or National Spina Bifida

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Protective Payee Program (back to top)

The Protective Payee Program provides:

-Assistance in managing funds.
-Assists in developing an individualized debt management and payment plan.
-Assists in saving for future goals.
-Assists with overpayments, benefit reductions, Medicaid spend-downs, and landlord negotiations.
-Ensures payment of rent and other monthly expenses.
-Meets requirements and standards of Social Security (SSI/SSD) and Department of Social and Human -Services (DSHS) for individuals mandated to participate in a protective payee program.
-Prevents exploitation.

Interest Form should include the following questions. (Form needs to be sent to Brandi Zillmer)

Rural Outreach (back to top)

CORD delivers independent living services to persons with disabilities residing in Eastern Washington: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman.

For more information, please contact Ed Kennedy

Service Dogs (back to top)

Service dogs are individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of the person with a disability

Child Care: Financial assistance with various child-care needs. (back to top)

Counseling: Provides financial assistance for counseling services. All counseling requests must have a written estimate of reimbursement costs by the provider. (back to top)

Damage Deposits: Provides financial assistance for damage deposits upon approval of tenancy. The landlord must agree and sign a deposit agreement which states the remainder of the deposit upon the REACH participant’s departure will be returned to CORD. (back to top)

Dental Assistance: All dental requests require and estimate of costs in writing by the provider and submitted to the REACH Advocate for approval prior to any dental work. Dental assistance does not provide financial aide with any unpaid or accrued bills. (back to top)

Emergency Housing: To be used as a last resort. Assistance will be provided for a hotel/motel requiring a minimal overnight stay. (back to top)

Interpreter Services: Available funds for various interpreter needs. (back to top)

Long-term Housing: Provides assistance with long-term housing. (back to top)

Protective Payee: Provides assistance in budget, finance management and future investment planning; ensures payment of monthly rent and other monthly expenses. (back to top)

Short-term Housing: Provides assistance with short-term housing needs.(back to top)

Utility Deposits: Available to REACH participants who can show just cause for the need of utility financial assistance. (back to top)

Transportation: Provides assistance with bus tokens and bus passes. Approval for auto repairs may be provided to individuals living in a rural area. All car repairs require a written estimate and submitted for approval before any work is done on the vehicle.(back to top)