Providing Support for Disabilities, ATAP Work Services in Sitka

What is an Intellectual or Developmental Disability?

Alaska State Law: Developmental disability (DD) means a person has a severe, chronic disability attributable to a mental or physical impairment that manifests before the person is 22 and is likely to continue indefinitely. This impairment results in functional limits in three or more major life activities, including: 

• Self-care
• Receptive and expressive learning
• Learning
• Mobility
• Self-direction; capacity to live independently
• Economic self-sufficiency 

These all result in a person’s need for special, interdisciplinary, or generic assistance, supports, or other services that are lifelong or last for an extended time and are individually planned and coordinated. Under Alaska laws, developmental disabilities include mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, and seizure disorder. In some cases, this may include mental illness or fetal alcohol syndrome. The disability must result in substantial functional limitations and meet the other criteria in order to qualify for Alaska state-funded programs CFC uses to serve IDD clients.

All of Center for Community’s Intellectual and Developmental (IDD) services are funded by Medicaid Waiver programs. To qualify for services a person must have a developmental disability diagnosis per State of Alaska Law. Some of these services may be provided five to seven days a week based on client’s needs and State authorization. CFC’s IDD programs can include one or a combination of the following ongoing services:

Case Management
Case managers work with a family or person with IDD to help them determine which state grant or Waiver program services can help them most and assist with State application for eligibility in the programs. Case managers provide person-centered plans and monitor service provision after a person with IDD is approved for State services.

Respite
Provides families or caregivers with a break from care giving for a person with IDD.

Supported Employment
Helps persons with IDD work as independently as possible in local employment.

Supported Living
Helps persons with IDD live in the home of their choice with assistance with activities of daily living and their maintenance of their household (chores, shopping, personal grooming, etc.)

Day Habilitation
Helps persons with IDD work on social and community integration skills designed to help them succeed in the community of their choice.

Referrals
Case managers and IDD staff provide families, caregivers and persons with IDD with information and referrals to other community based organizations to help them successfully remain in their home and community of choice.

The purpose of the State Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver is to offer a choice between home and community-based services and institutional care for people who meet Waiver service criteria. There are several State Waiver Programs available dependent on age, and disability.

Children and adults with IDD would most likely apply for either CCMC (Children with Complex Medical Conditions), and/or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Waiver (IDD). A CFC case manager works with persons with IDD and/or their guardian to help them apply for and work through the State Waiver process. All final eligibility and approval for HCB Waiver services comes from the State and State approval must be in place before CFC services (case management ongoing, supported living, supported employment, respite and/or day habilitation) can start.

Case Managers can help families with information on TEFRA: Medicaid for Disabled Children Living at Home, visit Qualis Health (click here).

Center for Community provides employment counseling and support to persons in Southeast Alaska who are enrolled in the Alaska Temporary Public Assistance Program. Participants in the program must be referred to Center for Community by the State of Alaska Division of Public Assistance.

Our knowledgable and experienced counselors equip participants with the tools needed to meet their goals, guiding them step by step through the process. This program is referral based—you must be referred to Center for Community by the State of Alaska Division of Public Assistance. We have staff in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka.

• For service in any part of Southeast Alaska north of Sitka, please contact our Juneau staff, 907-465-1380.
• For service in the Sitka area, contact 907-966-4220 or 1-800-478-6970 extension 220.
• For service in Petersburg and south through Ketchikan, contact our Ketchikan office: 907-225-1904.