|
Rhodes to
Independence (RTI) was created through the
award in 2000 of a federal Medicaid
Infrastructure Grant (MIG). The MIG goal is
to support people with disabilities in
securing and sustaining competitive
employment in an integrated setting.
Since its
inception, RTI - which operates under the
aegis of the University of Rhode Island's
College of Pharmacy - has worked toward
systems' change in support of this goal.
Though the initial scope of the federal MIG
has been to successfully modify states'
health care delivery systems to meet the
needs of people with disabilities who want
to work (primarily focused on Medicaid
eligibility), Rhodes to Independence's scope
is much broader as it was clear that
barriers to employment, self-sufficiency and
independence crossed beyond health care to
transportation, housing, lack of information
regarding benefits and supports, and
deep-seated attitudes (employers, providers,
the general public, as well as individuals
with disabilities themselves). In fact, the
RTI project has expanded its role far beyond
the scope of the original grant to become
involved in initiatives and special projects
as they arise or as issues need to be
addressed in a real-time fashion.
In the past
ten years, RTI has built partnerships that
previously did not exist in the state and
has measurably improved employment and
health care supports for Rhode Islanders
with disabilities. The success of Rhodes to
Independence is the result of an established
process in which consumers and other
stakeholder input is used by the RTI
Steering Committee and the Advisory Board
(since 2007) to structure activities to help
address the employment needs of and maximize
supports for people with disabilities. The
myriad partnerships which include state
agencies, advocacy organizations, employers
and others have resulted in a strategic
collaboration which leverages resources and
community involvement to produce positive
employment and enhanced quality of life
outcomes.
|
 |
