Program Established: 2001 as an Act of the Massachusetts State Legislature. It was a result of intensive lobbying efforts on behalf of the DeafBlind Interpreter Alliance (DBIA) as well as members of the DeafBlind & Deaf community, Disability Policy Consortium, DEAF Inc., MA Commission for the Blind (MCB) and MA Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (MCDHH).
Funding Sources: The program is grant funded by MCB and overseen by MCB and operated by DEAF Inc.
Eligibility: up to 16 hours/month; and up to 8 hours/month additional with director approval
Number of Individuals Served: 78 consumers with 48 DBCAN providers
Preferred Terminology: DBCAN providers
Certification/Endorsement: No CEUs or certificates are provided for training completed
Types of Service Requests: errands/appointments, reading mail, personal needs or food shopping, exercise, transportation and guidance to medical appointments, and social/recreational activities
Training Requirements: Providers must complete a 12-hour training program with certificate provided upon completion
Program Coordination: full-time director, full-time assistant director
Transportation: DBCAN providers can transport DBCAN consumers in their cars, with their own car insurance. Occasionally, consumers use public transportation but primarily depend on the DBCAN providers who are paid $0.58/mile for travel.
Provider Pay Rate: The current average pay rate is $18/hour, but it will increase to $19/hour within the next few months. Additionally, providers are reimbursed at a rate of $0.58/mile.
Other: Services are provided by DBCAN Providers, this is the preferred term rather than support service providers. The funding is $577,724 annually.