Disability Network Wayne County- Detroit

THE DISABILITY NETWORK/WAYNE COUNTY-DETROIT IS A CONSUMER DRIVEN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO MAXIMIZING THE ABILITY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS THEY CHOOSE. WE ENCOURAGE FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES OF LIVING BY PROVIDING A NURTURING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT; ADVOCATING FOR AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY; SERVING AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE; AND PROVIDING A UNIFIED VOICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

DISABILITY NETWORK WAYNE COUNTY - DETROIT HAS ACCOMPLISHED THE FOLLOWING - SERVED IN ITS HIGHEST CAPACITY TO "STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE" AS STAFF WORKED REMOTELY TO PRACTICE SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCING. THE AGENCY CREATED HOTLINES IN THE EVENT A CONSUMER NEEDS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. HOTLINES - 313-706-2750 - 313-923-1655 - FACILITATED "THE LIVING WELL MICHIGAN WORKSHOP" WHICH IS BASED ON INDEPENDENT LIVING PHILOSOPHY THAT EMPHASIZES PERSONAL CHOICE, SELF- DETERMINATION, AND PEER SUPPORT AS ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS FOR LIVING INDEPENDENTLY IN THE COMMUNITY. PARTICIPANTS IN "THE LIVING WELL IN MICHIGAN WORKSHOP" DEVELOP EXERCISE TECHNIQUES, NUTRITION/MEAL PLANNING, BETTER WAYS TO EAT, BENEFIT PLANNING, SUCH AS GOAL SETTING, PROBLEM SOLVING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE THEM IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. - RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS HAS INCLUDED INFORMATION ON FOOD BANKS, SHELTER, GROCERY SHOPPING HOURS, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, SYMPTOMS, STIGMA, PREVENTION, AND HOW TO GET TESTED. DISABILITY NETWORK WAYNE COUNTY-DETROIT RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (MARCH 2020) AS OF MARCH 13, 2020 DISABILITY NETWORK WAYNE COUNTY - DETROIT CANCELLED ALL FACE TO FACE APPOINTMENTS AND CLOSED ITS OFFICE DOORS TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19. EACH OF OUR SERVICES ARE NOW BEING PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS VIRTUALLY. WE CREATED A DIRECT HELPLINE FOR OUR CONSUMERS TO CONTACT US VIA PHONE. THE NEW CONTACT NUMBER IS ADVERTISED DAILY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. WE HAVE ALSO PROVIDED RESOURCES TO OUR CONSUMERS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA (E.G., FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM), INCLUDING INFORMATION ON FOOD BANKS, SHELTERS, GROCERY SHOPPING HOURS, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINES, COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, STIGMA, PREVENTION, HOW TO GET TESTED, AND ANSWERS TO GENERAL QUESTIONS. WE ALSO UPDATED OUR WEBSITE WITH COVID-19 RESOURCES. DISABILITY NETWORK WAYNE COUNTY-DETROIT RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (APRIL 2020-PRESENT) WE ARE NOW PROVIDING OUR SERVICES LIVE VIA FACEBOOK AND ONLINE CHAT ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.DNWAYNE.ORG. FOR FACEBOOK LIVE, WE ARE ADMINISTERING SERVICES THROUGH LIVE VIDEO SESSIONS AND CONSUMER INTERACTION, WHICH INCLUDES A WEEKLY UPDATE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LORI HILL. IN ADDITION, WE ARE PROVIDING CONSUMERS WITH INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS TO ASSIST THEM THROUGH THESE TROUBLING TIMES. - PREPARING ITS FOOD TRUCK TO BRING AWARENESS TO BETTER HEALTH AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD. WE ARE MOTIVATED BY THE RESULTS OF OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SURVEY AND THE HEALTH BENEFITS THAT OUR CONSUMERS STATE IS CHANGING THEIR LIVES IMPACTED BY THE DELIVERY OF FRESH FOOD AND GROCERIES DIRECTLY TO THEIR HOMES. - THE BENEFITS OF A MOBILE FRESH FOOD TRUCK ALLOW FOR OUR MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION. PRODUCE MARKETS, MOBILE FARMER'S MARKETS, OR FRESH FOOD CARTS TRAVEL TO MULTIPLE NEIGHBORHOODS TO PROVIDE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, OPERATING ON A SET SCHEDULE SO RESIDENTS KNOW WHEN THEY CAN SHOP. MOBILE MARKETS OFTEN TRAVEL TO AREAS WITHOUT EASY ACCESS TO SUPERMARKETS OR GROCERY STORES SOMETIMES CALLED FOOD DESERTS. - IN CONNECT WITH OUR "LIVING WELL" PROGRAM, THE MOBILEMARKET2U PROGRAM RESPONDS TO OUTREACH EFFORTS TO ISOLATED CONSUMERS WHO INDICATE THEY NEED FRESH FOOD, FOOD BOXES, AND BETTER WAYS TO PREPARE THEIR MEALS. AS WELL, FOR THOSE WHO INDICATE THEY HAVE NO ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION DURING THE PANDEMIC OF 2020-21, AND THOSE WHO ARE BEDRIDDEN, SHUT-IN, OR HAVE NO CAREGIVER TO ASSIST IN PREPARING MEALS, MOBILEMARKET2U IS A REFRESHING SOLUTION. OUR ONLINE PROGRAMS PROVIDE EXERCISE, NUTRITIOUS MEAL PREPS, AND PEER SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT WITH AN ON-LINE INDEPENDENT LIVING SPECIALIST VIA A ZOOM CALL OR FACEBOOK INTERACTION. - LAUNCHED NEW, MINI WEBSITES IN SUPPORT OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS. THE FRESH FOOD TRUCK PROCUREMENT AND ACTIVITIES ARE CAPTURED ON WEBSITE: WWW.MOBILEMARKET2U.COM. THE SPECIAL DE-ISOLATION PROGRAM "NO WRONG DOOR" WAS CAPTURED ON WEBSITE: WWW.NOWRONGDOORDETROIT.COM AND ALSO THE PROGRAMS WEBSITE: WWW.DNWCD.ORG THAT WOULD CAPTURE ALL OF THE SPECIAL PROGRAMS RELATED TO HOUSING, FREE PHONES, COVID-19 TESTING, VACCINATIONS, AND OTHER EVENTS. - CREATED ONLINE VIDEOS TO ADDRESS AND RESPOND TO THE LACK OF PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE CONSUMERS DUE TO THE VIRUS PANDEMIC. THESE VIDEOS INCLUDE INFORMATION SUCH AS LIVING WELL THROUGH EXERCISING OR ARTS AND CRAFTS, DISCUSSING THE FIVE PILLARS OF THE PRE EMPLOYMENT TRANSITIONAL SERVICES, HOUSING RESOURCES, FOOD RESOURCES, AND HEALTHY MEAL PREPARATIONS. OTHER SERVICES DISCUSSED ARE NURSING HOME TRANSITIONS, FINANCIAL LITERACY, SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION AND UPDATES, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS, ADVERTISEMENTS FOR OUR LOAN CLOSET, MICAFE INFORMATION AND WALKTHROUGHS, ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS REGARDING UNEMPLOYMENT, AND THE VALUE OF HOME HELP SERVICES DURING A PANDEMIC. - LAUNCHED THE "KITCHEN/LIVING GREEN" PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM FACILITATES ONLINE RECIPE-INSPIRED COOKING CLASS THROUGH A PEER-TO-PEER MODEL OF SUPPORT AND VALUABLE INTERACTION. OUR MAIN CORE PARTICIPANTS ARE SENIORS AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION WHO ARE AT RISK FOR HEALTH ISSUES IF DIET, EXERCISE, HEALTHY EATING, AND NUTRITION ARE NOT ADDRESSED DAILY. OUR LIVING GREEN PROGRAM CREATES A PLAN TO ASSIST IN DAILY WELLNESS. - PARTICIPATED AS A HUB AGENCY TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS OF THE SECTION 811 PROGRAM. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'S (HUD) SECTION 811 PROJECT RENTAL ASSISTANCE (811PRA) PROGRAM PROVIDES RENTAL SUBSIDY AND ALLOWS PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS AVAILABLE TO PROMOTE THE INTEGRATION OF LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES INTO THE COMMUNITY WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE INSTITUTIONALIZED OR BECOME HOMELESS. THE PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THAT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID IN THEIR TRANSITION OUT OF NURSING FACILITIES, OUT OF FOSTER CARE, OUT OF HOMELESSNESS, OR TO MAINTAIN THEIR PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. - RECEIVED A GRANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "NO WRONG DOOR" DE ISOLATION PROGRAM. THE STATE HAS A FORMAL MULTI-STATE AGENCY BODY THAT COORDINATES THE STATE GOVERNMENT'S WORK TO DEVELOP A SINGLE NO WRONG DOOR SYSTEM FOR ALL PEOPLE NEEDING LONG TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS (LTSS), REGARDLESS OF INCOME, AGE, OR DISABILITY, AND THIS BODY INCLUDES THE STATE MEDICAID AGENCY, THE STATE UNIT ON AGING, THE STATE AGENCIES THAT SERVE OR REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND THE STATE AUTHORITIES ADMINISTERING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE DNWCD WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE GRANT: VISIBILITY - THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF THE NWD SYSTEM; TRUST - ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC IN THE OBJECTIVITY, RELIABILITY, AND COMPREHENSIVENESS OF THE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM THE NWD SYSTEM EASE OF ACCESS - INCLUDING THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION AND CONFUSION INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES EXPERIENCE TRYING TO ACCESS LTSS; ACCESSIBILITY - OF PHYSICAL LOCATIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY AND ADA 508 COMPLIANCE OF ALL WRITTEN AND WEB-BASED MATERIALS. - ADVOCATED FOR ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS. ELDER ABUSE IS LIKELY TO BE EVEN MORE SECRETIVE NOW THAT PEOPLE ARE LIMITING SOCIAL CONTACTS DUE TO COVID- 19. HOW DO I ADVOCATE FOR/SUPPORT SOMEONE IN AN ABUSIVE SITUATION? SUCH A TOUGH SITUATION, BUT WE TALKED ABOUT SUPPORTIVE APPROACHES AND IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION OF RESOURCES DURING THE ZOOM PROGRAM. - PROMOTED A SENIOR CARE PACKAGE PROVIDED TO SENIORS FROM THE BLUE CARE/BLUE SHIELD ORGANIZATION. DID YOU KNOW THAT ANYONE 65 YEARS OR OLDER WITH BLUECARE/BLUE SHIELD NETWORK ADVANTAGE AND ON MEDICARE IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A SENIOR CARE PACKAGE? IT INCLUDES MASKS, GLOVES, THERMOMETERS, A 50 KROGER OR MEIJER GIFT CARD, AND 2 WEEKS' WORTH OF FROZEN MEALS. THEY SEND THE MEALS IN ONE-WEEK INTERVALS (2 MEALS A DAY FOR 7 DAYS). - LAUNCHED NEW, ONLINE TRAINING CLASSES WITH THE FOLLOWING CURRICULUM: MONEY SMART, COPING WITH COVID-19, LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL, BENEFITS PLANNING WORKSHOP, HOUSING 101 & 102, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND OTHER COURSES AS REQUESTED. - CREATED A COVID-19 NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR THE CONSUMERS TO RESPOND AND WE REQUESTED: "PLEASE FILL OUT THIS SURVEY SO THAT THE DISABILITY NETWORK OF WAYNE COUNTY DETROIT CAN BETTER SERVICE YOUR NEEDS DURING THIS TIME OF CRISIS. WE ASKED THE QUESTION: "WHAT ARE SOME CRITICAL NEEDS RIGHT NOW THAT YOU NEED AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS?" - CREATED A CORE SERVICES EMERGENCY PROGRAM PROVIDES IMMEDIATE HELP TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING CONDITIONS OF EXTREME HARDSHIP OR FOR EMERGENCIES THAT THREATEN HEALTH AND SAFETY. DN WAYNE CORE SERVICES EMERGENCY PROGRAM HELPS DISABLED INDIVIDUALS IN LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS MEET EMERGENCY NEEDS SUCH AS: HEAT & UTILITIES MAX AMOUNT 300; HOME REPAIRS MAXIMUM 1,000; RELOCATION ASSISTANCE UP TO 600. AS WELL A PROGRAM THAT WOULD ASSIST WITH HEAT AND UTILITIES: