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: 12 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 the 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/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.