Want to get email updates on council information? Join our listserve here!  Registration deadline is June 15, 2018 click here to register If you would like to apply for a scholarship to attend the Wyoming Developmental Disabilities Conference, please click here If you would like to be a vendor at the conference, please click here ______________________________________________________ Announcement s: We are now accepting nominees for the 2018 Bright Star Awards. ______________________________________________________  ABLE accounts create tax-advantaged investment accounts for people with disabilities. ABLE accounts allow individuals to contribute up to $15,000 per year without losing government benefits ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities the opportunity to save for disability-related expenses Visit www.wyable.com for more information ______________________________________________________ News from the Wyoming Department of Health, Behavioral Health Division: The Comprehensive and Supports Medicaid Waivers (DD Waivers) provide funding so that individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries can receive services in their communities as an alternative to an institutional setting. The DD waivers, which became effective April 1, 2014 and were approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a five (5) year period, are due to expire on April 1, 2019. In order to assure uninterrupted services for current waiver participants, the State of Wyoming must submit waiver renewal applications to CMS for these waivers no later than October 1, 2018. An important component of the waiver renewal process is the input we receive from participants, families, providers, and other important stakeholders. The Behavioral Health Division intends to visit communities throughout Wyoming in order to obtain informal input on the proposed waiver applications, and determine how this informal input will be incorporated in to the draft documents prior to the formal public input period, which will begin on or around August 1, 2018. Please save the date and join us for one of our in person, informal public comment sessions. Tentative Agenda • Purpose of the Meeting • Introduction to the waivers and the renewal process • Summary of proposed changes • Open Forum  ______________________________________________________Have you heard about Pre-Employment Transition Services? Pre-Employment Transition Services. Section 113 provides that from the funds reserved [see below] and any funds made available from State, local, or private funding sources, each State shall ensure that the VR agency, in collaboration with the local educational agencies involved, must provide, or arrange for the provision of, pre-employment transition services for all students with disabilities in need of such services who are eligible or potentially eligible for services under this title. Required Activities. Funds available must be used to make available to students with disabilities— 1) job exploration counseling; 2) work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or after school opportunities, or experience outside the traditional school setting (including internships), that is provided in an integrated environment to the maximum extent possible; 3) counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education; 4) workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living; and 5) instruction in self-advocacy, which may include peer mentoring. Authorized Activities. Funds available and remaining after the provision of the required activities described above may be used to improve the transition of students with disabilities from school to postsecondary education or an employment outcome by— 1) implementing effective strategies to increase the likelihood of independent living and inclusion in communities and competitive integrated workplaces; 2) developing and improving strategies for individuals with intellectual disabilities and individuals with significant disabilities to live independently, participate in postsecondary education experiences, and obtain and retain competitive integrated employment; 3) providing instruction to vocational rehabilitation counselors, school transition personnel, and other persons supporting students with disabilities; 4) disseminating information about innovative, effective, and efficient approaches to achieve the goals of this section; 5) coordinating activities with transition services provided by local educational agencies under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.); 6) applying evidence-based findings to improve policy, procedure, practice, and the 7) preparation of personnel, in order to better achieve the goals of this section; 8) developing model transition demonstration projects; 9) establishing or supporting multi-state or regional partnerships involving States, local educational agencies, designated State units, developmental disability agencies, private businesses, or other participants to achieve the goals of this section; and 10) disseminating information and strategies to improve the transition to postsecondary activities of individuals who are members of traditionally unserved populations. For more information, contact your local Workforce Development Center, or visit http://www.wyomingworkforce.org/workers/vr/ ______________________________________________________
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