Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GCDHH)

2296 Henderson Mill Road, NE #115, Atlanta, GA  30345

Ericka Capel, Employment Specialist

404-292-5312 voice; 404-381-8448 videophone

ecapel@gcdhh.org

www.gcdhh.org

Service Area: Georgia Statewide – only if currently served by VR

Program Established: 2015

Funding Sources:  GVRA state funded for clients of VR working toward their vocational rehabilitation goals.

Eligibility:  VR clients with dual sensory loss

Number of Individuals Served: ~ 25 people per year.  GCDHH recently revised thee contract with GA VR to offer SSP services for Georgia VR clients only.  There are not SSP services available for non-VR DeafBlind clients at this time.   

Preferred Terminology: SSP

Certification/Endorsement:  Trainings are offered by regional DeafBlind organizations. CEUs are provided if the organizations provide it. 

Types of Service Requests: job interviews, on the job training, work experiences, informational interviews, job development

Training Requirements:  SSPs must be certified in Georgia through one of the DeafBlind organizations that provides training.  GCDHH has their process of screening and contracting with SSPs and new applicants go through the usual state of Georgia background check process.

Program Coordination: As needed

Transportation:  SSPs can provide transportation, facilitate communication at training or worksite, etc.  If the SSP is deaf, they will use an interpreter along with the SSP as needed.

SSP Pay Rate:  The SSP and travel time rate is $25/hour plus mileage based on the IRS mileage rate. 

Other:   n/a