March 2024
Note: Services listed do not imply endorsement by HKNC. The information listed is self-reported by the program. The terminology used in this document is unique to each program (for example the spelling of the word “DeafBlind” or use of the term SSP or CoNavigator). This program listing is provided for informational purposes only. These are the known programs in the United States. Several other states/metropolitan communities have active work groups investigating the possibility of establishing SSP or CN services.
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NEBRASKAVancro Integrated Interpreting Services (VIIS) Remote office location – St. Louis, MO Brett Wilhelm, DeafBlind Services Program Coordinator 636-542-8126 voice/text/facetime https://ncbvi.nebraska.gov/services/omaha-ssp-program Service Area: Omaha, Nebraska Program Established: July, 2023 Funding Sources: two-year grant of $110,000 from the NE Commission f/t Blind & Visually Impaired and $10,000 grant from the Friends of NCBVI to establish an SSP pilot program in the Omaha metro. During this two-year period, permanent program funding will be sought from the Nebraska State Legislature. Eligibility: Service recipients must have varying levels of combined vision and hearing loss: 1) Vision - vision acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses, or a field loss such that the peripheral diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance of no greater than 20 degrees, or progressive visual loss with a prognosis leading to one or both of the above conditions; and 2) Hearing - chronic hearing disabilities so severe that most speech cannot be understood with optimum amplification, or progressive hearing loss having a prognosis leading to the above condition; the confirmation of vision and hearing loss must be provided in writing from a professional. In addition, the DeafBlind participant must have the capacity in giving instructions and making decisions independently when utilizing SSP services. DeafBlind participants must provide a Nebraska photo ID, which will prove if they have been a Nebraska resident for at least one year and are age 14 years or older - anyone under the age of 18 will require parental consent to use SSP services. Number of Participants Served: up to 25 participants Preferred Terminology: SSP Certification/Endorsement: RID CEUs are offered for initial SSP training. Vancro is willing to work with other professional organizations to procure CEUs based on participant interest. Types of Service Requests: To run errands, attend events, attend appointments, read mail, assist with in-house tasks like setting up computers access and online shopping. Training Requirements: (for the SSPs CNs AND for the participants) 2-day training Program Coordination: part-time SSP Pay Rate: As of 2024, SSPs are paid $20/hour. The program pays mileage and travel time. Transportation: SSPs are allowed to drive; public transportation. Other: (additional information about your program that would be helpful to others | ||
NEW HAMPSHIRENortheast Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services, Inc. 56 Old Suncook Road, Suite 6, Concord, NH 03301 Michelle McConaghy, Executive Director 603-968-5889 videophone; 603-224-1850 voice https://ndhhs.org/support-service-providers/ Service Area: New Hampshire Statewide Program Established: 2008 Funding Sources: Grant from New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation via Administration Community Living Eligibility: Deaf-Blind / low vision NH residents; must provide documentation of dual sensory disability (deafness and blindness); who may use ASL/Close Vision/Tactile or spoken English for communication. Number of Individuals Served: 9 individuals Preferred Terminology: SSP Certification/Endorsement: No CEUs or certification provided at this time Types of Service Requests: Guides for shopping, social events, errands (bank, barber shop/salon), etc SSP Providers will:
Training Requirements: SSP training course by the coordinator Program Coordination: part-time Transportation: The SSPs provide transportation as part of their services and are reimbursed for time and mileage. Must provide a copy of their Driver’s Abstract and proof of Automobile Liability Insurance (100/300 or higher). SSP Pay Rate: The program pays $20/hour. Other: n/a | ||
NEW JERSEYDeafBlind Community Access Network of New Jersey, Inc. 187 Stewart Avenue, Kearny, NJ 07032 Katherine Gabry, Coordinator 201-978-5827 voice/text Facebook page: Deaf Blind Community Access Network of NJ Instagram: @dbcannj Service Area: New Jersey Statewide Program Established: 2016 Funding Sources: donations, grants, volunteer providers Eligibility: adults 18 and older who are deafblind and can provide leadership, direction and decision-making regarding services/activities Number of Individuals Served: approximately 25 annually Preferred Terminology: Access Provider Certification/Endorsement: No CEUs or certification provided at this time Types of Service Requests: Educational, recreational, training, community service/education, social and shopping programs sponsored by DB CAN NJ Training Requirements – Access Providers: Each candidate is evaluated as to their knowledge and experience. Individual, online and small group trainings are provided by DB CAN NJ as needed. Content categories include roles/responsibilities of the provider and deafblind person, deafblind community and culture, communication, human guide, environmental information, skills of touch, confidentiality/ethics and boundaries. All candidates undergo a 1:1 training in community settings and functional evaluation by deafblind trainers. All must sign an agreement regarding the provision and use of services. Training Requirements – Deafblind: 1:1 training content includes roles/responsibilities of the provider and deafblind person; sharing preferences for communication, information access and guiding; confidentiality/ethics and boundaries. All must sign an agreement regarding the provision and use of services. Program Coordination: part-time, volunteer staff Provider Pay Rate: Hourly rate: $35/hr. Minimum assignment: 2 hours. Transportation: On their own time, Access Providers may drive deafblind people ONLY (not their partners, family or friends) to/from our activities; they are not paid during the driving time. In addition to walking, APs may ride with deafblind people on ride services such as Uber and Lyft, taxis, paratransit and any mode of public transportation. Other: DB CAN NJ is a nonprofit that prides itself on being responsive to the needs of the entire deafblind community, not just deafblind people, but also interpreters, APs/SSPs, VR counselors, organizations, social workers, job coaches, family, friends – everyone who cares about and believes in this vibrant community. Our services are separate from SSPNJ, and eligible consumers can use the services of both programs. APs are independent contractors; deafblind people select their AP from our approved list.
Support Service Providers of New Jersey (SSPNJ) P.O. Box 7718, Ewing, NJ 08628 Kathleen Spata, Statewide Program Coordinator David Rims, Project Business Manager 609-771-2795 voice; 609-508-3773 voice/text https://njcscd.tcnj.edu/support-service-providers-of-new-jersey/ Number of SSPs: 43 Preferred Terminology: SSPs Types of Service Requests: Our Approved Activities list includes the following categories: post-secondary education/training, employment, health/well-being, household management, community integration. Training Requirements: SSPs must satisfactorily complete our 3-module, 10-hour training program as well as three probationary assignments; deaf-blind individuals must complete individualized training program SSP Pay Rate: SSPs are paid varying rates: $20/hour - training period – first 5 assignments completed successfully; $27.50/hour - assignments for consumers who communicate and require support orally/aurally; $30/hour – assignments for consumers who communicate and require support using visual ASL; $32.50/hour – assignments for consumers who communicate and require support using tactile ASL. Other: DeafBlind individuals have 16 hours of services/month. These services are provided at no charge. | ||
NEW MEXICOVancro Integrated Interpreting Services (VIIS) 5000 Central Ave, SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 Meagan Gorsuch, Program Manager Mark Lucero-Muñiz, Assistant Program Manager 505-584-3424 text; 505-832-3738 videophone NMDeafBlindServices@vancro.com; Meagan.gorsuch@vancro.com; mark.luceromuniz@vancro.com Service Area: New MexicoStatewide Program Established: Service coordination and case management have been provided for several years. The Program’s SSP supports started in March 2011. Vancro took responsibility for the contract in 2023. Throughout the course of program administration, SSP and case management services were expanded to Deaf people with additional disabilities and Deaf Senior Citizens. In July 2011, SSP supports were extended to deaf-plus (individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing with significant disabilities). This program includes case management services available to the aforementioned three groups. Funding Sources: From the State of New Mexico’s legislature through the New Mexico Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Eligibility: Must meet the Program definition of deaf-blindness (combined auditory and visual losses), DeafDisabled (deaf or hard of hearing with a significant disability), or Deaf Senior Citizen (deaf or hard of hearing age 60 or above). Number of Individuals Served: 80+ Preferred Terminology: SSP Certification/Endorsement: RID CEUs are offered for initial SSP training. Vancro is willing to work with other professional organizations to procure CEUs based on participant interest. Types of Service Requests: Advocacy and support at appointments with doctors, the Social Security Administration, Human Services and Case Management Services, referrals to other sources such as Representative Payee Services and vocational services. SSP supports include transportation/travel support and access to environmental information. Personnel development training to other service providers in the state. Training Requirements: Two days of initial training (SSP Basic Training), ongoing opportunities for professional development provided to SSPs. Program Coordination:
Transportation: The program does allow SSPs to provide transportation to eligible New Mexicans. SSP Pay Rate: Vancro in NM pays $19/hour portal to portal if using their own vehicle plus mileage while driving with the consumer, based on our state. It is currently 47 cents a mile. | ||
NEW YORKCenter for Disability Rights, Inc. 497 State Street, Rochester, NY 14608 Brooke Erickson, Vice President of Direct Services 585-286-2021 videophone Service Area: Rochester, New York (Monroe County) Program Established: 2001 by RCIL (Regional Center for Independent Living); transitioned over in 2007 to the Center for Disability Rights, Inc. Funding Sources: Currently using Independent Living funds and hoping to utilize the profits from our new interpreting agency to fund the SSP program. We are also looking into permanent state/federal funding and accepting private donations. Eligibility: Individuals with documented hearing and vision loss, age 18 and older Number of Individuals Served: 22 Preferred Terminology: SSP Certification/Endorsement: None at this time Types of Service Requests: grocery shopping, medical/legal appointments, and social events; community-based meetings Training Requirements: 1-1 instruction and peer mentoring are provided by SSP personnel and DeafBlind consumers who utilize SSP services. Program Coordination: One month of pre-time to arrange scheduling and SSP assignments for DeafBlind consumers. Transportation: SSPs provide transportation to consumers. SSP Pay Rate: The SSP rate is $15.14/hour and mileage reimbursement is $0.67/mile. Other: The mission is to assist people who are DeafBlind to lead fully independent lives. We continue to do outreach in hopes to increase more DeafBlind individuals utilizing SSP services in Monroe County.
Helen Keller National Center 141 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY 11050 Sonia Hernandez, Volunteer and SSP Coordinator 516-321-4609 videophone https://www.helenkeller.org/events/support-service-provider-ssp-training/ Service Area: HKNC – employees and program participants Program Established: November 2022 Funding Sources: HKNC general budget Eligibility: in-person program participants, HKNC employees and visitors Number of Consumers Served: 15+ DeafBlind individuals Preferred Terminology: SSP Certification/Endorsement: SSPs receive a certificate of completion after both trainings are finished. Types of Service Requests: SSP is offered for staff for work-related activities. SSP is offered to program participants for both employment-related needs and recreational needs. Training Requirements: SSPs and participants will be required to complete trainings. The SSP training is online, self-paced, completed in two weeks and in-person two-day training. Participant training will depend on their experiences. Program Coordination: Full-time Transportation: SSPs are allowed to drive agency vehicles with Motor Vehicle background check completed. SSPs may choose to use their personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement. SSP Pay Rate: SSPs are paid $25/hour with mileage reimbursement. SSPs may use their own personal cars. | ||