Program Development and Supports:

Program Development and Supports

Program Development and Supports Descriptions

The New Mexico Assistive Technology Program (NMTAP) is administered by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Public Education Department. The purpose of NMTAP is to increase access to and funding for assistive technology to enhance quality of life for persons with disabilities of all ages. In 1990, the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (NMDVR) was awarded a federal grant by the U.S. Department of Education. In 1994, Governor Bruce King designated NMDVR as the implementing and lead agency directly responsible for conducting and overseeing assistive technology activities for persons with disabilities of all ages throughout the state of New Mexico. On August 8, 2005, Governor Bill Richardson, again designated the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as the State's Lead and Implementing Agency for the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. The program operates under a 3 year State Plan and State Advisory Council.

The New Mexico Cultivando Habilidades/Cultivating Abilities (CHCA) is administered by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Public Education Department. The purpose of CHCA is to be the outreach arm for Vocational rehabilitation services to Migrant and Seasonal farm workers with disabilities and their family members living with them in the State. The program collaborates with other programs that serve this population to help Migrant and Seasonal farm workers meet their needs. The program works with students from different universities that come from this background to help Migrant and Seasonal farm workers achieve their vocational rehabilitation and employment goals. The New Mexico Cultivando Habilidades/Cultivating Abilities Program is supported by Federal funds that were matched with State Funds through the, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education. Federal Award number H128G070005.

Social Security Reimbursement The Social Security Reimbursement program is designed to support persons with disabilities who want to become employed. Social security payment activities support NMDVR by providing a systematic review of NMDVR's open and closed Social Security Recipient client cases resulting in the recovery of a portion of the rehabilitation costs. SSA's reimbursement program is incorporated into the Ticket to Work program which encourages beneficiaries to seek services that will allow them to work. Ticket to Work also encourages providers of services and employers to become Employment Networks who will provide job retention services and receive payment from SSA once the client works at a milestone level established by SSA. During 2009, increased case review activities resulted in increased payments to the agency.

Disability Determination Services for Medicaid Through an agreement with the Human Services Department, DVR provides disability determination services for Medicaid. Referrals are made by ISD workers whose clients apply for medical assistance. One of the categories of medical assistance is the Working Disabled Individuals (WDI) program which assists people who work to obtain Medicaid. During the year, DVR conducted 805 disability adjudications for the Human Services Department's Medicaid programs.

The New Mexico Work Incentive Planning (NMWIP) provides benefits advisement to Social Security Administration (SSA) beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDB) ages 14-64, who wish to learn more about employment and public benefits at Benefits Information Centers located statewide. NMWIP offers a three tier system. Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE) provides the first tier answering basic questions about Ticket to Work, Work Incentives, and the difference between SSDI and SSI or short phone calls. The second tier works on planning and collection of information specific to the beneficiary. Here beneficiaries see benefits advisors on a one-on-one base to determine how specific wages will affect disability benefits at any one point in time. The third tier requires intensive services helping individuals plan, learn about and utilize specific work incentive, complete paperwork, and monitor their situation. Third tier beneficiary receive a written report called a Benefits Summary and Analysis as well as a Work Incentive Plan. This grant is funded by the Social Security Administration, Award number 14-W-50061-6-03.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Focusing on Abilities (DVR FOA) award to NMDVR attempts to remove barriers to workers with disabilities. FOA at DVR is contracted to do three specific services. DVR FOA provides more money to Benefits Information Centers to assist with benefits advisement to Social Security Administration (SSA) beneficiaries receiving Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDB) ages 14-64, who wish to learn more about employment and public benefits a at Benefits Information Centers located statewide. DVR FOA offers the same three tier system as NMWIP. Secondly, DVR FOA provides outreach to workers with disabilities, employers hiring people with disabilities, and employment service system who all might require medical insurance. This outreach is done using peer associates as well as benefits advisors. Lastly DVR FOA, helps with the strategic plan set by state FOA funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). DVR FOA is funded by a General Services Agreement (GSA) 09-630-8000-0087-A1 from the Human Services Department (HSD), Medical Assistance Division (MAD).

The Reasonable Accommodation Intervention for Successful Employment (RAISE) Project was established to promote employment of qualified persons with disabilities and support successful employment outcomes through early intervention for the provision of accommodation. In 2006, Memorial Hermann/Tirr, Southwest Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center, A.D.A.Center, Houston, Texas was awarded a federal grant by the U.S. Department of Education, Grant Award H133A060091. New Mexico is one of five states participating in the Regional Early Intervention Accommodation Program and the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (NMDVR) administers the program.

RAISE provides technical assistance to employers and employees/job candidates in identifying and implementing accommodations in the workplace, conducts outreach and trainings for employers, Human Resource professionals, rehabilitation professionals and persons with disabilities, acting as a resource to those seeking assistance with issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other Disability Civil Rights laws.

The New Mexico Seed Loan Program is a low interest loan program for persons with disabilities for purchase of equipment to help them with a home-based business or self-employment. The loan program provides loan guarantees and interest rate subsidies to through an agreement with the Technology Loan Council, First Community Bank and the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Interest rates are currently at 2.25%. The New Mexico Seed loan Program is supported by Federal fund that were matched with State Funds through the, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education.

The Access Loans New Mexico is a statewide, low interest loan program that allows a New Mexico resident with a disability to purchase assistive technology or make home modifications so that he or she can live more independently or productively.

Access Loans New Mexico is a federally-funded project that was matched with State Funds, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education under P.L. 105-394, and The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 Grant No. H224C010017. Access Loan New Mexico is provided as a cooperative service of the San Juan Center for Independence, Four Corners Community Bank and the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

New Mexico Reutilization and Acquisition Model Program (NMRAM) priority is to establish an assistive technology recycling program for New Mexicans with disabilities. Finding used assistive technology such as electric wheelchairs and communication devices can be difficult. Individuals, nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies and schools transfer equipment or post items for sale on the back in use website operated by Adelante Development Corporation. NMRAM collaborates and coordinates efforts with State Agencies to develop new opportunities to reuse useful assistive technologies. Collaborative efforts have provided opportunities for the expansion of re-purchase and device transfer to ensure that AT recycling needs of individuals are met regardless of their location, age or disability. The www.BackInUse.com website is managed with assistance from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Federal Award number H235V060033 Rehabilitation Services Administration, U. S. Department of Education.

The Disability Program Navigator Initiative is administered by the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor through the Department of Workforce Solutions. The federal award has been enhanced by DVR this PY09 with ARRA recovery monies. In their 7th year, Navigators assist DVR clients and other individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment at the New Mexico Workforce Connection One Stop Career Centers. These clients with disabilities are guided by Navigators through the maze of federal, state and community programs that support their successful entry into the workforce. Navigators are also responsible for promoting social change by developing and enhancing partnerships in the communities they serve to improve service delivery and access to services. Navigators are located in Workforce Connection Centers in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Belen, Socorro, Las Cruces and Ruidoso.

The purpose of the State Use Act [13-1c-1] NMSA 1978 is to encourage and assist person with disabilities to achieve maximum personal independence through useful and productive employment through a procurement preference process overseen by the State Purchasing Council. The Council is composed of members appointed by the Governor and Council appointed members. Andy Winnegar, PDS Deputy Director has served as the Chair for the State Purchasing council since 2005. The State Purchasing Council From Persons with Disabilities (Council), through the authority of the NMSA 1978, Section 13-1C-1 through Section 13-1C-7, TITLE 2 PUBLIC FINANCE CHAPTER 40 EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS PART 5 PURCHASING OF SERVICES FROM PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, is responsible for selection and contracting with a Central Non-Profit Agency to provide statewide support for development of contracts for people with disabilities and community rehabilitation programs and the public bodies in the State of New Mexico.