National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Statewide AT Program (Information to be listed in national State AT Program Directory)

Lead Agency

Implementing Entity

Program Director and Other Contacts

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Certifying Representative

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

3. Loan Type

4. Interest Rates

5. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed

6. Defaults

Activity 1

2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected

3. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded

G. Notes:

If a number is reported in E you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:

G. Notes:

There is no discrepancy. Each person received one device.

I. Notes:

Our loan period has been 42 days since 1994. On October 1, 2020, we dropped all loan library fees, which we are assuming resulted in a 74% increase in loans over the last year.

G. Notes:

C. Description of Training Activities

Describe innovative one high-impact assistance training activity conducted during the reporting period:

On two occasions 20 of the rehabilitative staff from the Life Skills and Transition Center (LSTC) were trained on assistive technology. LSTC is a “state-operated, comprehensive support agency serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Grafton. LSTC serves as a crisis and stabilization center, as well as a safety net for people whose needs exceed community resources.” The first training was on the basics of assistive technology, and the second was a training on smart home devices. These trainings provided information on the devices, as well as, discussion and problem solving with actual LSTC client cases. This training led to equipment loans for the individuals they serve.

Briefly describe one training activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:

ND Assistive provided training on the Assistive Technology Assessment process for 19 special education teachers, representatives of the ND Department of Public Instruction, and those from the AStep program at Minot State University, a program that helps transition-age students with intellectual disabilities to make college a reality. The training included instruction on the process and discussion of case studies provided by the teachers.

Briefly describe one training activity related to Information and Communication Technology accessibility:

Fifteen staff from the Independent Living Centers in North Dakota were provided training on document accessibility during a training on other Assistive Technology devices and services. In addition, one Executive Director of an Independent Living Center was provided training and technical assistance on document accessibility over several sessions.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

Describe Innovative one high-impact assistance activity that is not related to transition:

Throughout the reporting period, staff from ND Assistive participated in the majority of the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement Stakeholder meetings. “The State of North Dakota and the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) reached a settlement agreement in [December 2020] that outlines actions the state will take to expand access to home and community-based care services and enable individuals with physical disabilities to live in the least restrictive setting possible.” More on this agreement can be found at https://www.nd.gov/dhs/info/pubs/doj-settlement.html ND Assistive provided technical assistance regarding the benefits of assistive technology for home and community-based care. These meetings and input will continue next year and will hopefully lead to state improvements in the area of assistive technology within North Dakota’s Home and Community Based Services.

Breifly describe one technical assistance activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:

C. Notes:

Public Awareness Narratives

Describe in detail at least one and no more than two innovative or high-impact public awareness activities conducted during this reporting period. Highlight the content/focus of the awareness information shared, the mechanism used to disseminate or communicate the awareness information, the numbers and/or types of individuals reached, and positive outcomes resulting from the activity. If quantative numbers are available regarding the reach of the activity, please provide those: however, quantative data is not required.

1. In July 2021, the new accessible ND Assistive website debuted. This website now includes online applications for each of the ND Assistive Programs to include the Financial Loan Program and the Possibilities Grant Program. The website not only allows for the applications to be completed entirely online, including the signature, it also provides a portal to upload financial documents.

2. During this reporting period, ND Assistive completed the ADRC/No Wrong Door Funding Opportunity Critical Relief Funds for COVID-19 Pandemic Response-Connection Cart Project. This project was funded through the Cares Act funding through the ND Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division. This project focused on purchasing and distributing assistive technology devices to long-term care facilities to help access the internet and/or telephone services to increase social engagement and social connectedness, and to reduce social isolation. From July 2020 to June 30, 2021, over 1104 devices and 375 accessories were distributed to 124 Long-Term Care Facilities (basic, skilled, assisted living) and 12 individuals. This project also created an opportunity for public awareness regarding ND Assistive Services and the benefits of assistive technology in general. Many Zoom presentations, phone calls, and informative emails took place during this period with the facilities. Hundreds of facility administrators, social workers, activity directors, information technology managers, therapists, etc. learned of the benefits of assistive technology. As a result, each facility not only acquired technology through the Cares Act, but these events led to referrals for equipment demonstrations, loans, and future training opportunities. It also opened the door of communication for future needs.

Notes:

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities

B. State Improvements

1. In one or two sentences, describe the outcome. Be as specific as possible about exactly what changed during this reporting period as a result of the AT program's initiative.

ND Assistive worked with the ND Department of Human Services, Aging Services, Money Follows the Person (MFP) Department to include Assistive Technology in the MFP Supplemental Funding-Capacity Building Program. ND Assistive staff participated and provided input at full stakeholder meetings, smaller committee planning meetings, as well as, meetings with the MFP Administrator. As a result, Assistive Technology capacity building was included in the state’s $5 million grant proposal to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. The grant was approved in August of 2021, and $300,000 of the $5 million grant dollars were approved for capacity building in the area of Assistive Technology for Institutional Diversions and Transitions over a three-year period starting in November 2021.

2. In one or two sentences, describe the written policies, practices, and procedures that have been developed and implemented as a result of the AT program's initiative. Include information about how to obtain the full documents, such as a Web site address or e-mail address of a contact person, but do not include the full documents here. (If there are no written polices, practices and procedures, explain why.)

Over a 3-year period, ND Assistive will provide training and resources to build the capacity of providers and caregivers regarding assistive technology (AT), so they can recognize the benefits of AT to make informed decisions about the people they serve. Through a train-the-trainer model, they will connect with and recruit at least one person in 25 rural North Dakota communities. With the aid of AT Device kits, ND Assistive will help these person(s) develop the skills necessary to recognize and understand the benefits of AT, provide guidance on AT access and acquisition, be able to help with set-ups and trainings, and be able to share that knowledge with other people to build the capacity of the community in which they serve. With training, they will also be able to recognize when it is time to contact an assistive technology professional for more in-depth assistance. The contact person at the state is Jake Reuter, MFP administrator. He can be reached at jwreuter@nd.gov.

3. What was the primary area of impact for this state improvement outcome?

Community Living