SSA and DDS Collaborations

1. SSA and DDS Collaborations Please stay on the line.Audio: 1-888-843-9979 Passcode: 5602125 PIN Number: Came in your RSVP email The webinar will begin shortly.

2. SSA and DDS Collaborations Presented by: SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center Policy Research Associates, Inc. Under contract to: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

3. Welcome • Christi Cripps, Director • Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Office of Public Service and Operations Support, Director of the Division of Operations Analysis and Customer Service • Social Security Administration • Dr. Pamela J. Fischer, Ph.D. • Social Science Analyst • Homeless Programs Branch • Center for Mental Health Services • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

4. Webinar Instructions • Question instructions • Muting • Recording availability • Downloading documents • Evaluation

5. Agenda • SOAR Collaborations with SSA and DDS • Kristin Lupfer, SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center • SSA’s Service to the Homeless • Mike Nolan, Social Security Administration, Chicago Regional Office • Collaborating in Michigan • Frances Heimes-Savickis, Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration, Detroit, MI • DDS in Your State • Michael Headrick, Regional Training Director, TN Disability Determination Services • Questions and Answers

6. SOAR Collaborations with SSA and DDS Kristin Lupfer SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center Policy Research Associates, Inc.

7. Thank You! • Our SSA and DDS collaborators make this work possible • Thank you for giving your: • Time • Patience • Feedback • Support

8. Collaborations Across the U.S. • 256 contacts nationwide • Regional SOAR processes • Liaisons and dedicated staff • Training and planning

9. Definitions of Homelessness • PATH/SOAR: Includes imminent risk of homelessness • SSA (Homeless/Transient Living Arrangement): No permanent living arrangement • SSA (Homeless Flag): Added to the electronic folder • SSA (Transient Indicator): Indicates residence type in MSSICS

10. Flagging Applications • Official SSA “Flags” • Homeless • Terminal • Wounded Warrior • Remarks/Other • SOAR

11. Expediting Applications • Cases flagged as “homeless” are often assigned right away • But! What YOU do matters! • Complete applications • Avoiding consultative exams • Quick follow-up on additional questions

12. Georgia • SSA and DDS Liaisons • DDS Homeless Unit • Monthly provider calls • Resources during SOAR trainings • Troubleshooting • Representative Payees

13. Connecticut • Bi-weekly case rounds • SSA, DDS, SOAR case managers • “I can't say how valuable it is having SSA and DDS reps sit with SOAR case managers and other care givers.  Efficiencies are gained as the SOAR model intends, clients are served, income increased to local economies and frequent use of expensive services (emergency rooms, shelters, jails, etc.) diminished.  A big win for local and state governments in addition to healthier citizens.  This collaborative relationship insures a sustainable SOAR model.” – Chris Evans, Columbus House, New Haven, CT

14. Maryland • Caroline Mason, Director of Medical Relations, Maryland DDS • Key member of the state planning group • Attends all SOAR trainings • Shares her many years of expertise • Debunks the many myths that abound about the disability process • Team of dedicated SOAR examiners • DDS Medical staff meet with community doctors to explain their role

15. Where Do I Start? • Your State Team Lead and SOAR TA Center Liaison • Identify a SOAR liaison to SSA and DDS • Honor working agreements

16. SSA’s Service to the Homeless Mike Nolan Center for Disability Social Security Administration Regional Office Chicago, IL

17. Thank YOU From: • SSA, as part of the USICH(United States Interagency Council on Homelessness) • SSA (Social Security Administration) • TBA Mike.Nolan@ssa.gov

18. SSA, as part of the USICH

19. Opening Doors • One of the main objectives of Opening Doors is to increase access to mainstream benefits like SSI and SSDI • SSA has worked to increase its outreach efforts to the homeless population through collaboration with YOU (government or non-government agency) • SSA seeks to eliminate barriers to accessing these benefits by working closely with YOU (service provider) to assist with outreach and training activities designed to enhance services for those in need. Homeless advocates and service providers can access this site for application assistance: http://www.ssa.gov/homelessness/

22. YOU & SSA • Work with SSA • Don’t give up on SSA • SSA needs you • Our disabled individuals need you Thank you from TBA (= )

23. Collaborating in Michigan Frances Heimes-Savickis Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration Detroit, Michigan

24. Michigan implemented SOAR statewide in 2007 Two SSA Area offices cover most Field offices in the State The two Area offices coordinated their efforts so that SOAR could be implemented similarly throughout the State of Michigan Both Area offices are represented on the Michigan State Planning Group that meets monthly since 2007 SSA and SOAR Collaboration in Michigan

25. Key players from Michigan Department of Community Health, SSA and DDS met to develop a process for how SOAR applications would be processed SOAR process was put in writing and shared with case managers during training and with SSA Field Offices so that expectations were clear Implemented consistently throughout the State Negotiating a SOAR Process

26. One liaison in each of the two Area offices One designated SOAR liaison in each Field Office Area Office SOAR liaisons personally visited each Field Office to explain the SOAR initiative and SSA’s role Designated SOAR Liaisons at SSA

27. Training • SSA Field Office staff attended SOAR trainings to answer questions and show their support • SSA provided follow-up training for case managers in each region on the completion of the SSA-8000 (SSI paper application) which case managers were permitted to complete and submit on an outreach basis • SSA attends periodic refresher trainings to respond to questions and concerns as they arise

28. Michigan’s State Planning Group developed SOAR contact lists for each of Michigan’s 8 homeless service regions Included SSA and DDS representatives Updated regularly to account for any changes in staff and contact information Regional SOAR Contacts

29. SSA field office liaisons attend periodic community meetings with SOAR case managers and other stakeholders To answer questions To address local challenges at SSA To address quality of applications being submitted Attend Local Planning Meetings

30. Addressing Challenges As They Arise • The SSA key SOAR liaison for SSA designated areas is the point of contact when issues arise from either SSA’s standpoint or the SOAR provider • The SSA key SOAR liaison intercedes directly with the local SSA Field Office or SOAR State Team Lead for resolution.

31. DDS reports monthly to the SOAR State Planning Group on the outcomes of decisions made on SOAR applications, including reasons for denials These are compared with outcomes collected by SOAR case managers in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Additional outcomes are provided upon request for applications file under a separate SOAR pilot in the Michigan Department of Corrections and recoupment of the State Disability Assistance program from SSA A Focus on Outcomes

32. The key to SOAR’s success in Michigan is consistent and timely communication Between the two Area offices Between Area offices and Field offices Between Area offices and SOAR leadership Between SOAR leadership and SOAR community providers Communication = Success

33. Disability Determination Services Michael Headrick Disability Determination Services Nashville, TN

34. SOAR Comes to TN • Started with SOAR in 2006 when a young outreach worker named Will Connelly called me and asked for assistance with a homeless case • Sold on the benefits the SOAR process had for the client, the outreach worker involved and the DDS examiner • At the TN DDS we have evolved from 1 examiner doing all the homeless claims to a specialized unit that handles the cases identified by the SSA FO as a SOAR case

35. Collaboration • Collaboration requires that both sides work together to achieve a goal • SOAR provider needs to make clear to the DDS the intent of the SOAR program • If the collaboration is to be a success • Training is imperative • Communication is vital

36. Support and Training • Attend quarterly meetings • DDS representative attends SOAR trainings • Feedback and correction for areas of struggles • Advocate SOAR process to local SSA rep

37. Successful Claims • The 1696 is not a magic form that will result in an allowance • Both the DDS adjudicator and the SOAR rep remain in constant contact throughout the course of a claim • A claimant should never be denied on an initial claim for any failure to cooperate issues if the claimant has a SOAR rep • The medical summary report along with supporting medical documentation is vital to the success of the claim

38. Questions and Answers Facilitators:SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center Policy Research Associates, Inc.

39. For More Information on SOAR Visit the SOAR website at www.prainc.com/soar SAMHSA SOAR TA Center Policy Research Associates, Inc.518-439-7415soar@prainc.com www.facebook.com/soarworks Twitter: @soarworks