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O

OHIO

Columbus Speech & Hearing Statewide SSP Pilot Program

510 E. North Broadway, Columbus, OH 43214

Julia Felts, Program Manager

614-261-5429 voice

jfelts@columbusspeech.org 

Dawn Watts, SSP Coordinator

dwatts@columbusspeech.org

www.columbusspeech.org 

Service Area: Ohio Statewide

Program Established: SSP services established in 2023

Funding Sources: State biennial operating budget through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.

Eligibility: The pilot program will serve a maximum of 10 adults with severe combined vision and hearing loss who can receive up to 16 hours/month who are not eligible for services through another provider. The SSP program is just one of many services provided by Columbus Speech & Hearing.

Number of Individuals Served: maximum of 10 Ohioans

Preferred Terminology: SSP/CN

Certification/Endorsement:  None at this time

Types of Service Requests: grocery shopping, trips to the bank, eating out at restaurants, reading mail, making telephone calls, searching the web at the library, recreation, with some folks getting really creative such as using an SSP to watch sporting events on television or playing table games. Each consumer develops a routine and requests SSP support to achieve it.

Training Requirements: The agency provides informal training to new SSPs in sighted guide work and some ASL (for those consumers who sign), additional training is provided as needed.

Program Coordination: 5-10 hours a week

Transportation: SSPs do provide transportation.

SSP/CN Pay Rate:  The scale of pay is between $15 - $20/hour and the program is working to increase the lower end of the scale. 

Other: n/a

 

Columbus Speech & Hearing SSP – Franklin County Senior Options (FCSO)

510 E. North Broadway, Columbus, OH 43214

Julia Felts, Program Manager

614-261-5429 voice

jfelts@columbusspeech.org

www.columbusspeech.org

Service Area: Columbus, Ohio (Franklin County)

Program Established: SSP services established in 2001

Funding Sources: Senior Options is Franklin County’s tax-levy program for senior citizens.  Funds support several programs that serve older adults including Meals-on-Wheels, hearing aids, transportation, and minor home improvements.

Eligibility: for adults 60 years and older who meet income guidelines through the tax-levy program and can receive between 10 - 15 hours/month.  The SSP program is just one of many services provided by Columbus Speech & Hearing. 

Number of Individuals Served: 2–6

Preferred Terminology:  SSP

Certification/Endorsement:  None at this time

Types of Service Requests: grocery shopping, trips to the bank, eating out at restaurants, reading mail, making telephone calls, searching the web at the library, recreation, with some folks getting really creative such as using an SSP to watch sporting events on television or playing table games.  Each consumer develops a routine and requests SSP support to achieve it.

Training Requirements: The coordinator provides informal training to new SSPs in sighted guide and some ASL (for those consumers who sign), additional training is provided as needed.

Program Coordination: 5-10 hours a week

Transportation: SSPs do provide transportation.

SSP Pay Rate:  The scale of pay is between $15 - $20/hour and the program is working to increase the lower end of the scale. 

Other: n/a


OKLAHOMA

Sight-Hearing Encouragement Program, Inc. (SHEP)

PO Box 10495, Oklahoma City, OK  73140

Cassandra Oakes, SHEP Owner/CEO

Vicky Helms, SHEP Operations Manager

405-730-8182 DeafBlind text and voicemail request number

405-730-8182 SSP check in number

humanresources@shep-ok.org

www.shep-ok.org

Service AreaOklahoma Statewide 

Program Established: 2011 

Funding Sources:  donations, state funded by providing contracted services with DHS - Department of Human Services of Oklahoma. 

Eligibility: Must be Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing or Blind, Low Vision.

Number of Consumers Served:  50

Preferred Terminology: SSP 

Certification/Endorsement:  A certificate of training completion and CEUs are provided

Types of Service Requests: Errands, Paperwork assistance, reading mail, checking voicemails, making phone calls, social events, training events, workshops. 

SSP Training Requirements:  Two-day training for SSPs on how to interact with DeafBlind individuals, empathy, assertiveness, safety, guiding, communication, and testing for appropriate skill level in ASL. Need to provide the following: proof of personal identification, valid vehicle insurance, background check, SSP service agreement form signed, and a certification for an SSP ID. Community service of 20 hours within a year.  

Consumers receive a one-on-one consultation on do's and don'ts of how to use an SSP and how to properly interact with a guide.   

Program Coordination: Part-time 

Transportation:  SSPs provide transportation to consumers but if transportation is not wanted by the deaf-blind participant per their consent, our program makes sure to communicate what transportation method the consumer prefers and arrange for SSPs to meet them at the designated areas. 

SSP Pay Rate:  There are three levels of SSP pay rates:  Level 1: $15/hour – Beginner – complete or voice guiding, voiceover (must speak clearly), describe environmental surroundings and no signing skills required.

.; Level 2: $16/hour – Intermediate – some guiding, fingerspelling signing, describe environmental surrounding, some voice over (must speak clearly), some tactile (consumers may hold wrists to see or follow signing) and close-up range signing.  Level 3: $18/hour – Advanced – complete guiding, full tactile sign language, fluency describing environmental surroundings. We reimburse mileage at the federal reimbursement rate. 

Other: The goal of S.H.E.P. is to work with the DeafBlind, Deaf, hard of hearing and Blind or low vision individuals to achieve full and rewarding lives.  S.H.E.P. believes in having a positive mind and attitude no matter what life brings. Participants are encouraged to leave the program with motivation and acceptance of their lives in making it a success.  To advance the quality of lives by: a) Empowering, b) Promoting Opportunities, c) Building Confidence and d) Educating their Family and Community.


OREGON

Avamere at Chestnut Lane

1219 NE 6th Street, Gresham, OR 97030

Renee Rickard, Executive Director

503-674-0364 voice; 503-405-4766 videophone

rrickard@avamere.com

https://www.avamere.com/avamere-at-chestnut-lane/

Service Area: Avamere at Chestnut Lane Assisted Living for Deaf & DeafBlind in Gresham, Oregon

Program Established: SSP services began in July 2012

Funding Sources: Medicaid reimbursement

Eligibility: Deaf & DeafBlind residents of Chestnut Lane, an Assisted Living Facility

Number of Individuals Served: 13

Preferred Terminology:  SSP

Certification/Endorsement: certification/endorsement are not provided

Types of Service Requests:  shopping, activities, videophone calls, reading mail, sending emails, escorts, and accompany on doctor appointments

Training Requirements: experience working with DeafBlind people

Resident Program Coordination: paid full-time, with SSP coordination as one of the many job responsibilities.

Transportation:  SSPs can provide transportation to DeafBlind and Low Vision residents.

Other: 160 hours a week for SSP positions to provide DeafBlind residents’ needs.