Funding Sources: State Appropriation in HI Department of Human Services/HI Division of Vocational Rehabilitation executive budget. CDS(CSC) funded via DVR Memorandum of Agreement/Request for Proposal SSP Project funded by CDS(CSC)/DVR Agreement. Private donations also accepted.
Eligibility: 1) any consumer referred to the program as "Deaf-Blind" by a recognized agency, or 2) individual application with support documents (from a doctor, DOE, DVR, etc.) documenting both vision and hearing loss.
Number of Individuals Served: 21
Preferred Terminology: SSP
Certification/Endorsement: All new SSPs receive training but no certification or CEUs are provided at this time.
Types of Service Requests: transportation, shopping, reading mail, making phone calls, job search, independent living assistance, and assistance at recreational and social events.
Activities include: appointments, community involvement, legislative participation, meetings/events, errands, social interactions, etc.
Training Requirements: Multiple SSP/consumer training sessions have been conducted over the years. Recent O&M training to recruit more SSPs. SSP-related materials shared. Topics for additional training are being considered.
Program Coordination: UH-CDS(CSC)
Transportation: SSPs are allowed but are not required to drive consumers.
SSP Rate of Pay: The program has a pay scale ranging from $25 to $40 an hour, depending on the consumer's needs, the SSP's skills and the specific nature of the assignment.
Other: CDS(CSC) is a unit of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.