Archive | March, 2013

Social Security comes to Belleville Co-op

By admin on March 29, 2013 in Resources

Yesterday, Fran Savickis, a public relations specialist with the Social Security Administration came to present at the Belleville Co-op on recent changes and updates to Social Security. Mainly, she spoke about the website and encouraged members to create a “My Social Security” account in order to access their information instantly.

Many of the members were stand-off-ish about getting onto computers with this type of sensitive information but a few of them weren’t and it was the best turnout for an event that I’ve had so far.
While planning this event, Fran encouraged me to create an account and to encourage my co-workers to do so as well, as this is not solely for those receiving SS benefits. To create an account, you must be 18 years old (no problem there!), have your social security number, an address, and a valid email address. I’ve actually gone through the whole process of creating an email address with a member and then creating the account so that we could just get the award letter.
Through the SS portal, you can instantly print up award letters, though I’ve found that it does not always work with Explorer but more so with Firefox. Kind of a pain, but worth it when you need that award letter asap.
Fran was a good presenter and I think that while the majority of the attendees are not going to go right out and create accounts, but one or two may and that is a good thing. Prior to the event, some of the members tried to assist Fran with the setup and she became really edgy, like she wasn’t used to the whole customer service thing or working with seniors. A little strange since she works for the SSA, but she did do fabulous with speaking loudly, clearly, slowly, and providing lots of useful information.

You can contact her at frances.heimes.savickis@ssa.gov.

Cheers and happy workshopping!

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State Emergency Relief Eligibility

By Brenda on March 29, 2013 in Resources

Taken directly from DHS website:

To qualify for State Emergency Relief, you must meet a number of requirements. Apply online using MI Bridges. In general, eligibility is based on the number of individuals in your household, your monthly income and your countable cash assets over $50 (except for those applying for burial services). Some assets such as homestead, one vehicle, personal and household goods are excluded.

Energy Related Assistance

Household	Monthly Income*
One	$1,397
Two	$1,892
Three	$2,387
Four	$2,882
Five	$3,377
Six	$3,872
More than six	For each additional family member add $495 per month

*If your income exceeds the monthly income limit listed above, you do not qualify for energy-related assistance.

Non-Energy Related Assistance

Household	Monthly Income*	Non-Cash Asset Limit
One	$445	$1,750
Two	$500	$3,000
Three	$625	$3,000

Four	$755	$3,000
Five	$885	$3,000
Six	$1,015	$3,000

*If your income exceeds the above limit, the excess amount becomes your copayment and your responsibility.

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Adult Benefit Waiver Program

By admin on March 28, 2013 in Health and Medical, Resources

The attached flyer is pretty self explanatory. It is for very low income persons. It is very time limited. These openings seem to only occur every so often – once a year or more or less? Cheryl

The Department of Human Services

Open Enrollment for the Adult Benefit Waiver ABW/Plan A program APRIL 1-30, 2013

Plan A/ABW provides comprehensive health coverage-

including $1.00 co-pay for brand and generic prescription drugs.

Who is eligible for ABW/Plan A?



Adults age 19-64;



U.S. citizen or a legal resident in the U.S. for at least 5 years;



You have no income or very low income:

$335 a month for a single person (or work income less than about $620 gross per month)

$452 a month for a married couple (or work income less than about $750 gross per month)



Less than $3,000 in assets (exclude 1 car and home)

Where can I apply?

What do I need to enroll?

To submit a complete application, please bring:

1. Photo ID or a letter from a community agency saying where you live

2. Proof of income from the last consecutive 30 days

3. Most recent checking and/or savings account statement

4. Documentation of any other assets (exclude 1 car and home)

Do not submit your application until April 1, 2013

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2013 Southeast Michigan Student Social Worker of the Year

By Brenda on March 26, 2013 in Company News

I am very happy to announce that Robert “Bobby” Siporin has been voted as the 2013 Southeast Michigan University of Michigan Student Social Worker of the Year. Bobby is currently one of the UM Interns working on the Village Neighborhood Initiative project and will be with us until December, 2013. If you see him, please take the opportunity to congratulate him on his achievement. Follow this link to see the program for the event being held at University of Michigan on Monday, April 1st: Southeast Student Awards Program 2013

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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Older Adult Coalition for a Provider Reception

By admin on March 22, 2013 in Training News

As a provider of care services to older adults, you are in a powerful position to impact their well-being.

Please join the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Older Adult Coalition for a Provider Reception focusing on providing LGBT competent care to the growing number of older adults in our communities.

The Reception will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, 1333 Brewery Park Blvd., Detroit, MI 48207. Sign-in and continental breakfast take place from 9:30 – 10:00 a.m., followed by presentations & discussion from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

There is no cost to attend, but space is limited and reservations are therefore necessary. For questions and/or to RSVP, please email or call Lezlee Eddy at leddy@ofsfamily.org or 248-977-9343. Please also see the attached flyer and spread the word! All are welcome! J

Respectfully,
The LGBT Older Adult Coalition

Natalie Pearce, LMSW

Specialist, Training & LGBT Programs

Area Agency on Aging 1-B

29100 Northwestern Highway

Suite 400

Southfield, MI 48034

npearce@aaa1b.com

Tel: 248-262-0533

Fax: 248-948-9691

Toll Free Main Tel: 800-852-7795

www.aaa1b.com

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GSWSM Presents Overview of Parkinson’s Disease

By admin on March 22, 2013 in Training News

GSWSM of

Oakland County

Overview of Parkinson’s Disease

Presenter: Deborah M. Orloff, R.N., M.P.H.

Date: Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Time: 8:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.

Location:

Waltonwood at University 3250 Walton Boulevard Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309

*****248-375-2500 (For directions ONLY!! Do not respond to this number)

The host venue for this meeting can not take reservations. Space is limited so please respond ONLY through this website. Non registered attendees are not guaranteed a seat at this meeting. Walk-ins may be denied seating. If you are a social worker who requires continuing education credits, please bring your license number to the meeting.

Licensed Social Workers will be eligible for 1 CE

More information and online registration: Overview of Parkinson’s Disease

http://www.gswsm.org/
Best regards,
GSWSM

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CSI and Federal Policy on Medical Marijuana

By admin on March 22, 2013 in Company News, CSI News

Answer:

At this point the SC would not be required to disclose the member’s name. I just
want to be clear on this policy. HUD has stated if a resident receives subsidy
from the federal government that it is a violation for them to posses an illegal
substance (the federal government still states it is illegal even if the state
has authorized differently, Federal trumps State). The penalty for this
infraction is to forfeit the HUD subsidy.

CSI is unable to evict for this
violation, but many of the members would be unable to afford the rent if they
did not receive this subsidy. This also means they would be unable to receive
subsidy elsewhere, out of the CSI system.

Sheila

PS Note that if the SC witnesses a member using marijuana on co-op property, they do need to report (please let the member know you are doing this).

Question:

I talked with a SC yesterday regarding a situation with a member who did
disclose the the SC that she has been prescribed medical marijuana for a rapidly
advancing chronic disease. The SC has not seen the marijuana or seen the member
smoking. She did discuss with the member that it is illegal to smoke marijuana
in the co-op or on co-op property and that she (the SC) is required to report
lease infractions that deal with drugs.

Question for you. Since the SC
has not actually seen or smelled the drug or the member smoking it, is she
required to report the member at this point? The SC is prepared to act either
way, but we’d like clarification first since this will rock the members boat a
bit.

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CSI SC Procedures for Deviating from Standard Working Hours

By admin on March 21, 2013 in Company News, CSI News

Hi All,
This is new for the new CSI SCs and a refresher for the seasoned service coordinators. Please remember that when you make any adjustments to your standard/posted working hours, you need to communicate this to four entities:

1. Me!
2. Your front office
3. Your Liaison
4. Sheila

There are multiple ways of doing this, and I recommend doing all of the above, because it is always better to err on the side of over communicating and people have different communication styles, so using multiple methods helps make sure that people receive the message.

1. Always post a message on your office door indicating where you are and when you will return. Examples of this may include “Out of office 1-3pm today for workshop at DAAA”, “In co-op. Back in office at 2pm.”, “Will be out of office this Friday for PTO”, “In conference. Available again at 11am.”, etc. You can leave these messages on your white board or with a paper sign.
2. If you know in advance that you are going to be out of the office for a training, workshop, site visit to an agency, or PTO, email the 4 entities concerned (myself, your front office, your liaison, and Sheila). Indicate where you will be and when you will return (ie “Will be at Hannan House for Professional Development Training and SC Team Meeting on Thursday, April 11th, 9am-2pm.”
3. If you are running late due to snow or have an unanticipated illness, call your front office and leave a message and call or text my cell phone at 734-330-5642 to let me know. Follow up as soon as possible with an email to the four entities concerned (myself, your front office, your liaison, and Sheila). Retroactively submit for PTO or flex hours within the 2 week pay period.
4. Email a succinct breakdown of all planned deviations from your schedule at the beginning of each month for the upcoming month.
5. Verbally let your President, FCRC Chair, Education Chair, Activities Chair, and Liaison know about planned schedule changes during your monthly meeting. And learn about any of their planned schedule changes.
6. Remember to duck your head in the front office to say “hi” when you are coming and going from the co-op. If you arrive or leave at times when the front office is not open, be sure to plan a time in your day when you duck your head in to say “hi”.
7. Finally, you do get to take vacations! Hence, if you are going to be out of the office for any length of time, please change your answering machine to indicate when you will be out and when you will return.

Thanks all for being so accessible to members.

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Educational Evaluation Sheet

By Maryanette on March 20, 2013 in Educational Workshops, OTHER Educational Workshop Topics, Program Evaluation Templates

Simplistist design in order to get an overall summary of what the audience prefers in the educational presentations.

The Check- off system makes it easy to tally and the open ended questions allows the audience members to express themselves as individuals. Most of the answersto the open ended questions, have been expressed in one to five words therefore should be somewhat easy to summarize.

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