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Transition Age Youth Brief Released
Transition Age Youth Brief
The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center is excited to announce the release of our latest issue brief, Ending Youth Homelessness: Using SOAR to Increase Access to SSA Disability Benefits for Transition Age Youth. This issue brief provides an overview of the unique challenges youth experiencing homelessness face, programs available to support youth experiencing homelessness, and effective models of implementing SOAR for transition age youth. Read the brief!
Transition Age Youth Webinar
You can also watch an archive of last month's webinar that featured experts in the field who discussed strategies to successfully serve youth who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness to increase access to SSA benefits. Thank you to our fantastic presenters! View the webinar archive here.
Sharing Our Successes
Pre-Release Success
Loren Gallegly, a SOAR Case Manager for the Human Services Campus at Lodestar Day Resource Center in Arizona provided this success story:
When pre-screening clients, I noticed an over-representation of the population who had recently received mental health treatment while incarcerated in the jails/Department of Corrections. These individuals kept showing up, somehow having heard about SOAR from case managers, agencies, and word of mouth from other clients on the streets. Thinking over these interactions, I realized that SOAR is a perfect fit for reentry programs and could benefit stakeholders in the following ways:
- The jails, as they do not have to commit resources (but can potentially become SOAR trained!)
- My agency, Lodestar Day Resource Center, since we would be serving this population post-release
- The clients, since by doing SOAR applications prior to release, their risk of homelessness and recidivism will hopefully decrease, as they would be connected to services and treatment, with navigation supports
I reached out to someone within our agency who was familiar with this population and they connected me to Charlotte Koestner, a social worker at Lower Buckeye Jail. I offered to do a one-hour presentation to correctional mental health staff with the intention of setting up some kind of client referral system. I explained that rather than wait until release, it made more sense for me to be badged (process in which I am allowed to access the jails in Maricopa County) to go into the jails and complete SOAR applications with inmates. Jail staff supported this, I was able to get badged, and now have access to this special population. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office continues to support our efforts and Charlotte Koestner even attends our quarterly SOAR State Steering Committee meetings.
The downtown Phoenix SSA field office is also open and very supportive of establishing a pre-release agreement with the jails to allow SOAR applications to be submitted prior to release, with the intention of inmates receiving benefits upon reentry. Since our SOAR program is based out of the Housing Department of the Lodestar Day Resource Center, this would ultimately mean an early connection to housing, treatment, and proper levels of support needed to reduce recidivism, shelter resources, and time spent experiencing homeless.
Way to go, Loren! We look forward to hearing about your experiences and future successes!
In Case You Missed it! SOAR and Consumer Organizations - March 16th Informational Call!
The SOAR TA Center is moving full steam ahead with our efforts to increase the number of consumer/peer run organizations that are involved with SOAR. On March 16 th, we held a conference call providing information on how consumer organizations can enhance local SOAR activities. If you know a consumer organization that may be interested in SOAR, please have them contact Matt Canuteson, SOAR TA Center Project Associate, to learn more! View presentation slides.
Federal Updates
Social Administration's Office Closings and Emergency Information Notification System
You can now sign up to receive e-mail or text messages when Social Security offices in your state or territory close down or open late because of severe weather or emergencies. To view office closings or delayed openings and to subscribe to a specific state/territory's office closings, visit SSA's Office Closings page.
Social Security Launches iAppeals
Social Security has launched iAppeals -- an improved online appeals process. The improvements include the ability to provide documents electronically when you file your appeal, the ability to accept online appeals from people living outside the United States, improved navigation and on-screen help, and clearer language and less jargon. Learn more about iAppeals here. View the infographic.
2015 1619(b) Threshold Amounts For Disabled SSI Beneficiaries
Social Security has released the 2015 and 2014 threshold amounts for continued Medicaid eligibility for each state for disabled and blind beneficiaries. Continued Medicaid eligibility, or Section 1619(b) of the Social Security Act provides Medicaid coverage protection for SSI beneficiaries going to work. View the threshold amount for your state.
Social Security Scores High on the Federal Plain Language Report Card
Each fall, the Center for Plain Language evaluates how well federal agencies are doing on using plain language. Agencies earn grades between A-F, just like students. Grades are based on compliance with the Plain Writing Act of 2010 and sample documents, reports, or websites submitted by the agency. For the second consecutive year, SSA's grades on the Federal Plain Language Report card put SSA at the "top of the class." The grades reflect SSA's strong commitment to clear communication at all levels. SSA earned As in two of the three categories of the Report Card -- Compliance and Writing -- and a B, the highest grade any agency received in a new category -- Information Design. Read the report.
Recent Stories from the SOAR Voices Blog
Using Students to Expand the Reach of Rhode Island's SOAR Program
Over the past few months, Rhode Island's SOAR program has expanded its reach by training and providing ongoing support to local university students acting as SOAR case managers. While this initiative is still in its pilot phase, it has thus far demonstrated itself to be of benefit to all involved. Read more...
SOAR & Criminal Justice
Just imagine going to bed knowing that your bills are paid, your health care is covered, and that you have no worries of what you will eat the next day, only to awake with none of that certainty. Then, imagine that in addition to these uncertainties, you are now required to enroll in and pay for classes that will help to "rehabilitate" you. You must also find a job, although the likelihood of getting one that will sustain housing is bleak, especially when you have previously struggled to maintain employment. Read more...
SSA FAQs
Question: How does Social Security decide whether I am disabled? Answer: For an adult, disability under Social Security law is based on your inability to work because of a disabling condition. Read more...
Upcoming Events
Leadership Academy 2015 Dates
- June 9-11, 2015 - Chicago, IL
- September 1-3, 2015 - Denver, CO
Contact your SOAR State Liaison for more information!
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