Are you ready to help people live the quality of life they want and deserve? |
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We are currently hiring for the following positions: - EMPLOYMENT COORDINATOR - COMMUNITY INTEGRATION - NURSING HOME TRANSITION COORDINATOR - MANAGER OF PROGRAMS & SERVICES CLICK HERE to apply and learn more about the positions we have available. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. |
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In November of 2022, we received a request to assist a woman in her 80s who was experiencing difficulties adjusting to her progressive loss of vision. |
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The woman was receiving five hours a week of housekeeping/personal care services through the Tioga Area Agency on Aging (AAA) but was told that she was not eligible for the Community Health Choices (CHC) waiver. Our staff reached out to the PA Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) to gain a better understanding as to why services were being denied. Our staff successfully advocated for a clinical and financial review. The woman's review resulted in a determination of eligibility, and she was approved for CHC! Unfortunately, this led to an immediate loss of the five hours of services she was receiving from the AAA. To make matters worse, she experienced an unnecessary three-week gap between the time of CHC enrollment and the development of her person-centered plan with her Supports Coordinator. Luckily for her, RTFCIL Staff worked with her and her informal support to assure her needs were met until the Managed Care Organization (MCO) could provide services. We also worked with the Bradford/Tioga County Housing Authority to have her bathroom modified to include a walk-in shower. RTFCIL is happy to share that with our advocacy and coordination, this woman was able to avoid admission into a nursing facility and is now receiving adequate home and community-based services through the CHC waiver. She sent us the following statement, “Without your help, none of this would've been possible. We can never express our gratitude for everything you've done. We would probably still be in the appeal stage for the waiver program if you hadn't stepped in and helped us.” ~ a thankful woman who's able to age in place. |
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ACES Augmentative Communication Empowerment and Supports |
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ACES is a bi-annual 2-week program for young adult AAC users. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been unable to have ACES in person for the past few years. We are thrilled to say that ACES is back in person this summer from July 16th-28th! |
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The goal is to provide AAC users with a collegiate experience, including electives, office hours with regional AAC Vendor representatives/consultants, guest speakers/lectures, adapted leisure activities, and courses on relevant topics including computer use and advocacy classes. The requirements are you must be at least 18 years old, either currently using or interested in using a speech-generating device, and able to participate in a full day of learning, work, and fun! CLICK HERE for additional information. |
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Some exciting news to share... For those of you who have spent any time in our office during the dog days of summer... WE FINALLY HAVE AIR CONDITIONING! A huge THANK YOU! to Community Development Block Grants from Lycoming County, Jersey Shore, Montoursville & South Williamsport. |
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Felix Update! We first told you about Felix in October 2022. Felix had been in a nursing facility for 5 long years after a car accident. We are happy to report that Felix has been enjoying living in HIS community for the past 6 months. |
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While in the nursing facility, Felix was gifted an accessible van with the hand controls he needed to be able to drive. He began taking driving lessons while at the facility to learn how to drive with the hand controls; he continued to take his lessons after he left the facility. |
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After many grueling hours behind the wheel, Felix passed his test and officially became a licensed driver! Felix has since driven to New York various times to visit family and friends and he uses his van almost daily to get out of his house and into the community. Felix continues to return to the nursing facility weekly to run a support group he started while he was there and has also started going to the gym again. Felix reported his next goal is going to start college classes back up so he can finish his degree. |
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Felix is a true example of independent living. |
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RTFCIL's Board Member, Amanda Waldman, and CEO, Misty Dion met with Senator Bob Casey at his March 30, 2023, US Senate Special Committee on Aging's Guardianship Hearing. |
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Amanda and Misty emphasized the importance of alternatives, like supported decision-making, for people with disabilities facing restrictive and unnecessary guardianships. |
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Pictured left to right: Amanda Waldman, RTFCIL Board Member; Misty Dion, RTFCIL CEO; and Michael Gamel-McCormick, Senate Special Committee on Aging (March 2017-), Disability Policy Director |
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Do you have unused assistive devices laying around? Are you in need of assistive devices? We accept donations of gently used medical equipment and then give them away to people who cannot get what they are looking for through other channels, such as insurance. |
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To learn more about any of our Assistive Technology (AT) services, please click the Contact Us! button below. |
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If you haven't done so already, be sure to 'Subscribe' below to stay up to date with all things new and exciting! |
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