PART OF Community Programs
Resources
The Resource Department provides Information, Referrals and Advocacy for those Consumers who may not qualify for the Options PCA program and Adult Foster Care (AFC) Program. The department also maintains a directory of resources available to a wide range of Consumers, family members and Organizations. The resource department works in cooperation with the Options’ PCA Program, the Options’ Adult Foster Care Program, Options staff, Centers for independent Living and other community organizations. The Resource Department is completely staffed by people with lived experience of having a disability. Embracing the philosophy of the Independent Living Movement they openly share their personal knowledge and experiences with other staff members and consumers. The Resource Department:
Provides disability and community related information and referrals to all people with disabilities, family members, service providers and community members.
Provide up to date and accurate information allowing people with disabilities to maximize their independence
Empowers people with disabilities to make the choices necessary to take control of their lives to participate fully and actively in their communities.
Offers peer counseling via phone or face to face to consumers in very challenging situations.
Helps people with disabilities become eligible for Mass Health Standard or Mass Health CommonHealth for working disabled adults. Allowing consumers to fund/access community based programs to live more independently in the community such as; The Personal Care Attendant Program and The Adult Foster/Family Care Program.
Helps people with disabilities find/access community programs and services to achieve and maintain more independent and productive lives in the community.
Advocates on an individual and systemic level to promote equal rights for people with disabilities to participate fully in their chosen community.
Emergency Preparedness Training by MA Department on Disability:
DOVE, Inc. – Domestic Violence Ended
Mission:Hope, healing, safety, social change. Working together to end domestic and partner violence.
Resources link: https://www.dovema.org/helpful-links-resources
Second Round of Ordering for Free COVID-19 Tests Now Open
Starting on September 25, every U.S. household had an opportunity to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests through a partnership between the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the United States Postal Service.
On November 20, a second round of ordering opened, allowing each household to place a second order to receive four more free tests. Households that have not yet placed an order can place two orders now, to receive a total of eight tests.
To order your free tests, go to COVID.gov and complete the form with your contact and shipping information.
People who are blind or have low vision can place a second order for free Ellume COVID Home Tests, which are more accessible than other options. For more information, including ordering instructions, please visit ACL’s website.
MASSHEALTH ELIGIBILITY REDETERMINATIONS BEGIN APRIL, 2023. EXPECT MAIL FROM MASS HEALTH
SOON.
- LINK FOR MORE INFO: https://www.mass.gov/masshealth-eligibility-redeterminations
Mass Health Enrollment Assistance:
Enrollment Assisters, such as Navigators and Certified Application Counselors (CACs) are trained and certified individuals at organizations in your
area that can help you apply for coverage, shop for plans, answer your questions about your eligibility, payments, plan details, and health care reform rules and requirements.
Help from an Enrollment Assister is free for people of any income level.
Here is the link to find an Enrollment Assister: https://my.mahealthconnector.org/enrollment-assisters?zoom=15&is_mile=1&directory_radius=10&hide_searchbox=0&hide_nav=0&hide_nav_views=0&hide_pager=0&featured_only=0&feature=1&perpage=20&list_map_show=1&scroll_list=1&sort=random&keywords=&address=&directory_radius=10¢er=&address_type=&category=1
Department of Homeland Security Immigration process for
Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans
The Lifeline and 988
My Ombudsman Program
MassHealth is pleased to announce that the My Ombudsman program has expanded to serve members who receive their care via Fee For Service (FFS). This means that My Ombudsman is now able to assist any MassHealth member with questions or challenges accessing MassHealth covered benefits or services. More information about the My Ombudsman program is included below.
What is the My Ombudsman program?
The My Ombudsman program is an independent, free service for all MassHealth members as well as members’ families, caregivers, and advocates. Many My Ombudsman staff are or have been MassHealth members, and have personal experience with disability.
What does My Ombudsman do?
My Ombudsman staff can answer questions or help resolve challenges members may have getting their MassHealth benefits or services. For example, My Ombudsman staff can:
- answer questions about benefits, member rights, and how to get services;
- help you with any concerns you may have with your MassHealth benefits or health plan— staff will listen, talk to all relevant parties to understand the issue, discuss options, and bring people together to build solutions;
- talk with you about how to file a grievance or an appeal and what to expect during the process. A grievance is a complaint and an appeal is a way of asking your MassHealth health plan to change a decision they made about your benefits.
How to contact My Ombudsman
- Call: (855) 781-9898; for TTY users, use MassRelay at 711, or VideoPhone (339) 224-6831. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- The program has staff who use American Sign Language (ASL), speak Haitian-Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish. Interpreters can be provided for over 165 other languages as needed.
- Email: [email protected]
- Please contact My Ombudsman directly or visit their website for updated information about location and walk-in hours.
For more information about My Ombudsman
- Visit the My Ombudsman website at www.myombudsman.org or contact the directly to learn more, including the types of problems My Ombudsman can help with.
- Individuals who would like to request My Ombudsman informational materials (such as brochures or posters) to have in their office or other space may do so by contacting My Ombudsman directly.
Note that members with any eligibility or enrollment related concerns should instead contact MassHealth Customer Service or a MassHealth Enrollment Center.
Resource information provided by the Alzheimer’s Association:
- 24/7 Helpline – access free information and support whenever you need it. Staffed around-the-clock, 365 days a year our specialists and master’s-level clinicians offer confidential support and information to people living with the disease, caregivers, families and the public.
- Online education programs – learn about Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving and more by visiting alz.org/learn.
- AlzConnected – connect with others impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia by visiting our free online community, visit alzconnected.org to learn more.
Community Resources:
Team Impact: website: www.teamIMPACT.org
Headquartered in Boston, MA, Team IMPACT is a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious illnesses or disabilities with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. To learn more about Team IMPACT, or if you know a child, age 5-16, who could benefit from becoming a member of the team, visit www.teamimpact.org.