CRP Fall Bulletin 

An employer tells an applicant, "I'll give you $10 an hour, starting today, and in three months I'll raise it to $12 an hour. So, when would you like to start?"

Applicant: "In three months."

Sometimes a little humor reminds us that consumers are paying attention to more than just the job title. They’re thinking strategically about value and timing. It’s a great reminder for employers to be transparent and competitive from the start.

Wellbeing Matters: Helping Your Team Navigate the Holiday Season

As the holiday season quickly approaches, it’s important to remember that this time of year can bring both joy and added stress for many employees. Now is a great opportunity to intentionally promote a workplace environment that supports mental fitness and overall well-being. A few simple steps can make a meaningful difference:

• Encourage flexible scheduling when possible to help employees balance family commitments and end-of-year responsibilities.

• Model healthy boundaries by discouraging after-hours emails and promoting true time off.

• Create spaces for connection (virtual or in-person) so team members can support one another and feel valued.

• Share wellbeing resources and reminders about mental health benefits or employee assistance programs.

• Promote gratitude and recognition by highlighting contributions and celebrating small wins.

By proactively supporting mental fitness, we create a healthier, more resilient workplace where employees can thrive during the holidays and beyond.

Do you have practice to share with other CRPs to promote employee well-being? Email it to setraining@uky.edu. We will choose one idea to feature in the next issue and mail you a prize!

Ask Our Experts

What are Stable Accounts?

A STABLE account through STABLE Kentucky is a way for Kentuckians with disabilities to save for qualified expenses, invest for future needs, and keep eligibility for government benefits such as SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, and HUD-subsidized housing. The funds in STABLE Kentucky grow tax-free as long as they are spent on qualified disability expenses.  

While a person can only have one account, anyone can contribute to their account up to $19,000 a year in 2025. If the person has a job and no employer-sponsored retirement plan, an additional $15,060 can be invested.  Funds in a STABLE Kentucky account will not impact Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if the account balance stays below $100,000. One's SSI payment would then be suspended until the balance went below $100,000. However, the funds would still not count as a resource for Medicaid and other government benefits programs. 

Funding Solutions For Independence

Appalachian Assistive Technology Loan Fund (AATLF) is a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities and older adults fund assistive technology. AATLF provides no-fee, zero-interest loans for the purchase of assistive technology. AATLF also provides financial education resources for people with disabilities, their families, and educators.

Examples of Assistive Technology

· Hearing aids and other hearing technology

· Wheelchairs and scooters

· Fences and paved walkways

· Stairlifts

· Computers, tablets, and specialized software

· Home modifications for accessibility

· Smart home technology

· Adaptive sports equipment

The Mini Loan Program loan amount ranges from $100 - $7,000 with an interest rate of 0% and no fees. The maximum repayment term is 4 years. Completed loan applications must include supporting documentation, which is outlined on the cover sheet of the application. Loans can be extended to fund amounts up to the entire cost of the assistive technology, with a maximum threshold of $7,000. It is important to note that AATLF cannot extend a loan exceeding the actual cost of the assistive technology.

Who is eligible to apply?

· AATLF is a program for anyone who needs assistive technology devices and/or services.

· AATLF helps people of all ages, all disabilities and health conditions, all income levels, from all communities and cultural backgrounds.

· An applicant must have the ability and willingness to repay a loan.
Phone: 484-674-0506
Email: patf@patf.us

Supported Employment Funding – OVR to 1915c Waiver Supports

When Does This Happen and For Whom?

After you have billed the final OVR hourly rate, you can switch to Medicaid waiver dollars.

This happens for:

• Supported employees under age 25: after the final Extended Services rate is paid and the OVR case is closed.
• Supported employees over age 25: once the Employment Stability Assessment Form is approved.

What Do I Need To Do?

When requesting to bill any supported employment services for Michelle P. Waiver, Supports for Community Living Waiver, or Acquired Brain Injury Waiver, you will need to complete the Coordination of Funding for Supported Employment and/or Supported Education Services form.

• Email this form (as an editable document) to DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov
• If you do not want to email an editable document, upload it to MWMA and email DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov. Please let them know the case number and that it has been uploaded.
• If requesting Long Term Support units, ensure the Extended Services Plan (if recently completing OVR-supported employment) or a Long Term Support Plan is current in MWMA.
• You will receive a response and be advised to contact OVR to reapply for services or to complete the Employment Services Prior Authorization form to request payment via Medicaid waiver.
• If denied or an LOI is received, you may reach out to DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov with questions or concerns

Note: The Authorization of Long-Term Supports is valid for the job listed on the Long-Term Support Plan (or initial Extended Services Plan). If the individual changes jobs, complete a Coordination of Funding for Supported Employment and/or Supported Education Services form and follow the guidance given to change the Prior Authorization (PA).

Important: While OVR is closed to all categories, under Order of Selection, you may be able to begin supported employment services billing a Medicaid waiver. You and the Case Manager should collaborate to submit the Coordination of Funding for Supported Employment and/or Supported Education Services to DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov to begin the request. DDID.SupportedEmployment@ky.gov can offer additional instruction on how to complete the form if requested. Before providing supported employment services through the waiver, ensure that your agency has the Prior Authorization from Medicaid.

Coalition Forward

Led by self-selected leadership teams, the regional coalitions of Coalition Forward hold monthly meetings discussing job openings with service providers. Our goal is to increase job placements for individuals with disabilities. Anytime you need to know the next meeting time near you, just go to the Coalition Forward website.

As summer finally begins to wind down, our regional Coalitions gear up for their first full year of operation! Our Northern Kentucky Coalition celebrated its one-year anniversary on September 10th in Florence at the Florence Government Center. Led by co-chairs Kellie Burke and Michell Cobb. This vibrant group invites you to join them in celebrating their success and building their future in upcoming meetings!

In the East Region, our meetings are held in Morehead at Whitaker Back, the business location of our Chairperson, Carrie Wyatt. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month from 1:30 to 2:30 pm ET.

In the South, meetings are held in Somerset at the Mellow Mushroom restaurant! Roxana Miracle chairs this group, and their luncheon meeting is on the second Thursday of the month from 12:30-2:00 pm ET. Our West region meets at Henderson Community College on the third Friday of the month at 9:00 am CT and is led by Amber Johnson from Elevate.

All meetings are open to the public, and we would love to have more service providers join us. Email us at Coalition.office@CoalitionFWD.com to be added to the mailing list for any of the groups, and we will start sending you the notices.

Kitty Zachery, Executive Director

Coalition Forward>>Kentucky

KittyZachery@CoalitionFWD.com