Service
Area: MetropolitanMilwaukee;
attempting to address SSP needs statewide
Program
Established: Center established in 1985; SSP program in 1997 with
a local grant
Funding
Sources: Foundations, civic organizations, churches, businesses,
individuals, memorials and service agreements: DVR, county adult service and
county older adult services. In 2016,
the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Office for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing made Universal Service Funds available to cover costs of some SSP
services.
Eligibility: Youth and
adults (of any age) with combined hearing-vision impairments.
Number of
Individuals Served: 17 by paid SSPs.
Preferred
Terminology: SSP
Certification/Endorsement: CDBP
offers a certificate of completion; in collaboration with ODHH, CEUs are
available.
Types of
Service Requests: Mail reading, bill paying, copy
signing videophone calls, social events, exercising, apartment search,
labeling, home organization, medical appointments, airport assistance, and
clothing/grocery/gift shopping.
Training
Requirements: Paid staff members participate in ongoing staff
development sessions. The Center offers
in-service training and workshops on etiquette, safe guide techniques,
communication methods, relaying visual information, eye diseases, use of
assistive listening devices, and simulation experiences to individuals
interested in providing SSP services.
Program
Coordination: Part-time
Transportation: The consumer is responsible for
transportation. The SSP can meet the
consumer at their home and ride to and from a location. The SSP coordinating agency or SSP can
provide information to locate public transportation services.
SSP Pay
Rate: SSPs bill portal to portal at $15 - $25/hour. The program does not pay mileage. Travel time is paid the same rate of pay as
SSP hours.
Other: SSP and consumer
guidelines are discussed with new consumers and SSP providers. The goal of the SSP program is to empower –
not to create dependence.