Phone: (610) 825-9360 |
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Transition to … a waiting list? Transition from education to the adult world brings with it a new set of learning. Students must be registered with their local county Mental Health/Mental Retardation agency in order to receive services. They must fill out the PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need of Services) form which will place them in a specific category. The categories are Emergency, Critical and Planning. Only people in the Emergency category will receive services. The assumption that many people make is that all links to the proper agencies for adult services have been made prior to the end of education in High School– but they only can be made by the person and their family, so early preparation is the key to accessing services and supports. Questions to think about are: Who will provide services and supports so that the life your son or daughter has prepared for will continue when education ends? Have you filled out the proper forms, including Registration, Individual Support Plan and the PUNS form with your local MR services? Have you been in constant touch with your Supports Coordinator to make sure you are in the correct PUNS category?They should also fill out an up-to-date Individual Support Plan (ISP) with their Support Coordinator so that their needs are adequately defined in writing with their County. Additionally they should register with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation which can provide short term services. Some counties also have Employment programs that can offer the support of a job coach. There is a new employment initiative taking place in several counties across the state. The Governor’s state budget also calls for funding of 300 young adults graduating from the educational system to receive services this year. This falls shy of the 800 young adults who will graduate in June, most to no services and supports. In addition, over 3,000 people are on an emergency waiting list. The disruption in service can have a profound and negative impact on people’s lives. Also, trainings on MR services, PUNS and Waivers, and Transition Planning are available through the PA Training Partnership for People with Disabilities and Families; call 1-866-865-6170. We encourage students and their families and supporters to find out what waiting lists are, how many people are waiting and what you can do to add your voice to our cause of ending the wait by going to Crisis in Pennsylvania Communities is an online video made by the PA Waiting List Campaign featuring families whose children are still waiting for adult services. Y ou can view the CD by going to www.pawaitinglistcampaign.org and click on “Crisis in Pennsylvania Communities” on the right side of the homepage. Nearly 35 people and their families participated. It is a powerful 7 minutes that reveals how we live and what we need. We will be showing the CD to many of the Leadership and Appropriation members. Visit the PA Waiting List Campaign’s website to find your county contact numbers, print out the fact sheet, look for documented information. We encourage you to take the video to your county commissioners, MH/MR Boards, your social groups and your legislators. Forward it to everyone you know. For people who need a hard-copy, we are offering the CD’s for purchase from Vision For Equality for $5.00. This will allow us to have more CD’s duplicated. We Can. We Will. We Must. End the Wait! For more information contact Sheila Stasko at sstasko@pawaitinglistcampaign.org |