Service
Area:7
counties in SE Pennsylvania (Philadelphia,
Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, and Lancaster)
Funding
Sources: Grants and other donations
Eligibility: Verify
deaf-blindness and be able to direct the services of an SSP
Number
of Individuals Served: 20; but we also provide volunteer SSPs at
social events for consumers not registered with the service.
Preferred
Terminology: SSP
Certification/Endorsement: None at this
time
Types of
Service Requests: each consumer can have up to 10 hours of SSP
service each month and can use SSPs at their own discretion.
SSP
Training Requirements: Each candidate is evaluated as to their
knowledge and experience and must pass a functional evaluation of the basic
skills of being an SSP.
Program
Coordination: Consumers can contact the coordinator or SSPs
directly for requests, and then report any agreed assignments to the
coordinator. The SSP coordinator is a
part-time, paid position.
Transportation: The SSP’s role
is during the actual assignment, not the transportation. Consumers negotiate their own agreements for
transportation with the SSP which can include their personal car or public
transportation. DeafCAN cannot pay for
driving due to insurance regulations.
SSP Pay
Rate: Paid SSPs receive $30/hour. Mileage reimbursement for volunteer SSPs is
$0.65/mile.
Other: This service is
separate from the state’s DBLWS service.
Consumers can and do use both services.
Funding
Sources:
Funding through the PA Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH)
Eligibility: Age 18 or older, have hearing AND vision loss, and
must be able to self-direct services
Number
of Participants Served: 64
(increasing weekly)
Preferred
Terminology: SSP
Certification/Endorsement:
training provided by the PA ODHH is endorsed by the Helen Keller National
Center
Types of
Service Requests:
DeafBlind consumers have 15 hours per month to use as they wish: errands,
medical, recreation, hobbies, reading mail, paying bills, socializing, eating
out, shopping, haircuts, almost anything!
Training
Requirements: For
DeafBlind Consumers: The Owner of Step Up Services will meet with you to discuss the program and your
preferences. For SSPs: The SSP Coordinator will make sure all appropriate
clearances and paperwork are on file. SSPs are required to attend an SSP
Training provided by the PA ODHH which is endorsed by the Helen Keller National
Center.
Program
Coordination:
Full-Time
Transportation: Yes, if requested and the SSP is willing/able. It is
not a requirement of the program.
SSP Pay Rate: The hourly rate is
$20/hour. Travel time and mileage
reimbursement are not provided.