For immediate release: March 31, 1998

Needs Assessment:

FPODA is needed in the community as a supportive link of services to complete a more comprehensive chain of services to promote and provide an optimal level of independent function for differently abled clients.

Under the current county level Medicaid waiver program 1915c a disabled individual moving to Franklin county must wait thirty (30) days before being able to obtain healthcare and/or nursing care services. If the state Medicaid program in which the individual comes from refuses to provide financial assistance to cover attendant care costs and/or health care supplies, the client is then left without life support services needed to help that individual maintain a healthy and happy independent life style. A life style that is not a luxury, but a constitutional right. When incidents such as this occur FPODA provides the financial assistance to provide and ensure nursing services and/or medical supplies as appropriate to the individual.

FPODA’S President, Helene Thomas, has a 100% success rate of helping individuals to establish an independent living status within Franklin county and to pursue goals of education and employment. With the creation of FPODA, Mrs. Thomas’ goal is to help many to achieve the goal of independence

On July 1, 1998, ODHS has a plan to implement waiver 1115 which will open approximately eight hundred (800) slots allowing for disabled individuals, who are now in skilled nursing facilities, to live within the community. Under the current waiver 1915c approximately two thousand (2000) slots will be opened for individuals to move out of nursing homes and to move within the community. There will be an increase of differently abled needing assistance with advocacy services and to be taught to properly advocate for themselves, as well as, will need financial assistance once the monthly cost cap is met. FPODA provides assistance with funding in the event an individual has met the limit of expenditure under their insurance coverage and experiences an emergency situation requiring financial assistance.

The hope of the CASA BILL , a bill to promote independence for those who are disabled, to be passed at the Federal level, calls for the support of all and especially those who will be affected directly by of this bill. FPODA provides assistance to those differently abled who would be in need of transportation assistance and/or attendant care to attend meetings to address important community issues. The CASA BILL is just one of these issues that is currently being addressed within the community and nation.

PLEASE HELP FPODA MAKE A DIFFERENCE.