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"Our Health" Project

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We want to make healthcare easier for you to find and understand.  For Pennsylvanians with disabilities, there are a lot of different programs and systems. Working with self-advocates and 10 partners across our region, we developed these 12 easy-to-follow healthcare messages to support you or someone you care about.  Look for our partners below and their contact information.  Please share our social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn!

Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. It features a smiling boy with light skin and short brown hair, wearing a red polo shirt. He is reaching towards a cluster of floating bubbles, with his right arm extended and his left arm bent at the elbow. His expression is joyful and playful. The background is a soft-focus view of green foliage, likely a park or outdoor setting. This creates a natural and inviting atmosphere. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Children with disabilities and special healthcare needs may qualify for PA Medicaid regardless of parental income." The words "regardless of parental income" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

#1 - Children with disabilities and special healthcare needs may qualify for PA Medicaid regardless of parental income.

Medicaid, called "Medical Assistance" in PA, covers physical and behavioral health services and supports that other insurance doesn't. Kids getting Social Security (SSI) automatically receive Medicaid, while others need to apply.

Get the information you need to apply at pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid/medicaid-children-special-needs-ph9.

You can also check out the Pennsylvania Health Law Project's Guide to Getting Medical Assistance for a Child with a Disability at phlp.org/en/resource-library.
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partner, and its "Our Health" Project. The central figures are a young light skinned couple, looking thoughtfully at the horizon. The setting is an evening sky, showing a mild sunset. The woman has blonde hair and is leaning against a man with dark hair and a beard. His hands are in a prayer position over this mouth. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Adults with disabilities who don't receive Social Security may be able to get Pennsylvania Medicaid/Medical Assistance." The words "may be able" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

 

#2 - Adults with disabilities who don't receive Social Security may be able to get Pennsylvania Medicaid/Medical Assistance if they apply and meet certain requirements, such as income and resource limits.

Visit the PA Department of Human Services website at pa.gov/services/dhs/apply-for-medicaid-benefits to learn about the financial guidelines and how to apply. The Pennsylvania Health Law Project's Resource Library has additional information, including current income and resource limits for Medicaid/Medical Assistance and other health programs: phlp.org/en/resource-library .
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. The primary focus is a group of three light skinned people. A woman with blonde hair and a purple knit tank top, another woman with brown hair and red glasses, and a man with visible disabilities and brown hair is seated in a wheelchair. They are all smiling and appear to be enjoying a walk outdoors with trees and greenery in the background. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "There is a lot to understand about Pennsylvania Waivers." The words "Pennsylvania Waivers" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

#3 - There is a lot to understand about Pennsylvania Waivers.

There are a variety of Medicaid Waivers that support Pennsylvanians with disabilities to help them live, work and enjoy independence in their homes and communities instead of institutional facilities: pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid/waivers . Waivers have specific clinical and financial eligibility guidelines, and people already on Medicaid/Medical Assistance must apply separately for a Waiver. Some Waivers have waiting lists.

Learn more on the Pennsylvania Waiver Information webpage:pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid/waivers.html . Additional information and assistance is available through the Pennsylvania Health Law Project: phlp.org .
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. It features a young Black girl with Down syndrome and a man who appears to be her father. They are both smiling and are seated at a breakfast table. The image is bright and conveys a sense of joy and enthusiasm. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Take the Waiver!" The words are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads,

#4 - Take the Waiver!

If you have Autism or an Intellectual Disability, are eligible, and you are offered any waiver from your county through the Office of Developmental Programs – take it! Then ask your Supports Coordinator to put you on the waiting list for the next level of support (a waiver with more services). Learn more at pa.gov/agencies/dhs/contact/county-mh-id-offices.html .
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. The graphic features a photograph of two women of color looking cheerfully at a smiling white girl in a wheelchair. They appear to be in an office and one woman is holding a clipboard. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Looking for healthcare providers for people with disabilities? Help is here." The words "Help is here" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

#5 - Looking for healthcare providers for people with disabilities? Help is here.

Do you or does your child have a disability, use Medicaid/Managed Care, and need additional help finding doctors, dentists and other providers who understand your disability? Do you or your child need support to access healthcare?

Pennsylvania’s Enhanced Member Supports Units are here to help you: pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dhs/documents/healthchoices/hc-services/documents/flyer-enhanced-member-supports-unit.pdf .

- AmeriHealth Caritas - PA NW, NE, LC, SW: 1-800-684-5503
- Geisinger Health Plan Family - All Zones: 1-855-214-8100
- Health Partners Plan - All Zones: 1-866-500-4571
- Highmark Wholecare LC, - SW: 1-800-392-1147
- Keystone First - SE: 1-800-573-4100
- United Healthcare Community Plan - SE 1-877-844-8844
- UPMC for You - All Zones: 1-866-463-1462
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. The graphic features a light skinned man with brown hair and his eyes closed, hugging two light skinned children with brown hair. They are standing outside under a canopy of green trees. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Behavioral health services and substance use disorder treatment information for people with disabilities." The words "treatment information for people with disabilities" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

#6 - Behavioral health services and substance use disorder treatment information for people with disabilities.

Pennsylvania offers behavioral health services and substance use disorder treatments for people with disabilities through a variety of programs. These include therapies, mobile mental health treatment, peer support, family based mental health, case management, and detoxification and rehabilitation services.

The Pennsylvania Health Law Project’s Resource Library offers a guide to getting mental health services and substance use treatment in PA and a detailed guide to help families access Intensive Behavioral Health Services for children and young adults under age 21, including youth with autism: phlp.org/en/resource-library .
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. It features a young girl with Cerebral palsy, she is light skinned with brown hair and appears cheerful in her wheelchair. She is being assisted by a man of color with his hair tied back. He is smiling at her, in blue scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck. The background suggests they are in a physical therapy setting. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Pennsylvania's Pediatric Complex Care Resource Centers are here for your family." is displayed within a white rectangle shaped like the state of Pennsylvania. The words "for your family" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

#7 - Pennsylvania's Pediatric Complex Care Resource Centers are here for your family.

Do you have a child (Birth-21) who has significant medical health needs and can use some support? Pennsylvania’s Pediatric Complex Care Resource Centers (PCCRCs) support families with education, training, coordination, and navigation. Learn more at pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid/pediatric-complex-care-resource-centers .
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. It features a woman of color, she has her dark hair pulled back. She is wearing a light green button up shirt and is seated in a library. She is holding a phone and using headphones to listen to something. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Earn more and keep your Medicaid (and waiver)!" The words "keep your Medicaid" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

#8 - Earn more and keep your Medicaid (and waiver)!

Pennsylvanians with Disabilities can work and earn wages and still get Medicaid/Medical Assistance and Medicaid Waiver coverage. Start with Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) and move to Workers with Job Success when wages increase above the MAWD limit!

Find information and sign up at pa.gov/services/dhs/apply-for-medical-assistance-for-workers-with-disabilities-mawd.html .
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. It features two white women in a green house, looking at a tree. One woman is standing, wearing a gardening apron. The other woman is seated in a wheelchair with her hair in a ponytail. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Is it difficult getting to medical appointments?" In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

#9 - Is it difficult getting to medical appointments?

You may qualify for free or low-cost rides to medical visits (and reimbursement for mileage) through your Pennsylvania county’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP). Find your County contacts at  matp.pa.gov/CountyContact.aspx .
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. It features a child with dark hair. He is seated on the floor, in shadow, with his hands clasped and his head down. The tone conveys sadness. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Do you or your child have a disability and are feeling overwhelmed?" The words "feeling overwhelmed" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text

#10 - Do you or your child have a disability and are feeling overwhelmed?

There are so many systems including employment, housing, education, home and community based services, mental health and healthcare. Here are some resources in southwestern Pennsylvania that could help:

- PA 211 Southwest - southwest.pa211.org
- Find Help - findhelp.org
- Achieva Advocacy - achieva.info/advocacy or your local chapter of
- The Arc of Pennsylvania - thearc.org/chapter/the-arc-of-pennsylvania
- The PA Centers for Independent Living (your local CIL) - pasilc.org/independent-living/find-a-center-for-independent-living
- Pennsylvania Health Law Project - phlp.org/en
- PA Elks Home Service Program - paelkshomeservice.org
- Salvation Army service coordination - easternusa.salvationarmy.org/western-pennsylvania
- The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Compass - compass.dhs.pa.gov/home
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. The graphic features a Black family, seated in a living room. The image is bright, with the family together, smiling at the camera. Two young boys are standing on either side of their father, who is seated in a wheelchair. The mother stands behind, leaning in. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Medicaid goes by a lot of different names." The words "different names" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads, "To learn more about our partners and the 'Our Health' Project, visit Achieva.info/OurHealthInfo."

#11 - Medicaid goes by a lot of different names.

Did you know that Pennsylvanians with disabilities rely on Medicaid (Medical Assistance MA), which is paid by both the federal and state government? Medicaid goes by a lot of different names including: Home and community-based (HCBS) Waivers such as the Consolidated, Person & Family Directed Supports (PFDS) and Community Living Waivers for people with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism, Adult Autism Waiver & Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP), OBRA, Community HealthChoices, LIFE, Money Follows the Person and Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS).

Other service names you may recognize: Intensive Behavioral Health Services IBHS; Medical Assistance (MA), Compass, Medicaid Managed Care, Managed Care Organizations (MCO’s), and therapies and other support services for children in schools.
Image description: The image is a promotional graphic for Achieva, its partners, and its "Our Health" Project. The graphic features an Asian boy with Down syndrome and his father. The father has dark hair that is showing some gray, wearing a light colored button up shirt. The young boy is wearing glasses and a striped shirt, seated on a playground toy. They are enjoying a fun day outside. Overlaid on the image is a stylized outline of the state of Pennsylvania, filled with white space and text. The text within the Pennsylvania shape reads: "Not sure how to get your student help for their learning or support needs at school? Help is available." The words "Help is available" are in a teal color, drawing the eye. In the lower left corner, the "achieva" logo is present, with the text "The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh" beneath it. Below the logo is a line of text that reads,

#12 - Not sure how to get your student help for their learning or support needs at school? Help is available.
Our organizations can help with your student’s IEP (special education) and 504 Plans (Rehabilitation Act). Contact The PEAL Center (statewide) by email at info@pealcenter.org, by phone at 1-866-950-1040, or online at pealcenter.org/need-to-talk.

You can also reach out to our southwestern/western Pennsylvania chapters of The Arc:
- Achieva Advocacy which is The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh (Allegheny, Beaver, Westmoreland) & The Arc Erie County PA achieva.info/advocacy, 412-995-5000 ext 486
- The Arc of Indiana County - Educational Advocacy, complete intake form:
arcindiana.org, 724-349-8230
- The Arc of Washington County, Arc Human Services:
archumanservices.org/advocacy, 724-470-9327

For Pittsburgh parents:
- Education Rights Network, A Campaign of 412Justice also takes calls from Pittsburgh parents on IEPs, criminalization and other issues: 412justice.org, 412-212-8696

Partner Organizations

This initiative is supported by a grant from the FISA Foundation.