National Assistive Technology Act Data System

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

Referral Types:

The uptake on referrals that were community based can be directly attributed to the CNMI ATP’s participation in the larger symposiums, taking place on the various islands. Being under the umbrella of the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities has afforded the AT Program numerous opportunities to partner with the CNMI DD Network which includes, the CNMI University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc. (NMPASI). The DD Network and ATP is also part of the larger CNMI Disability Network Partners (DNP), the 13 members include agencies such as; CNMI Medicaid Office, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, VOICES of the CNMI, Commonwealth Health Care Corporation, Public School System-SpEd Program, Department of Labor-Workforce Investment & Opportunity Act Division, Commonwealth Transit Authority, Center for Living Independently in the CNMI, as well as the Division of Youth Services, etc. During the monthly meetings, partners share their calendar of events which allows the respective members the opportunity to be involved, should they feel it meets their programs needs or mandates. Exposure at the various events has allowed the ATP to reach a larger number of individuals in the community. The ATP tracks the number of participants per activity as well as the information shared whether through presentations or brochures. Although a large number of referrals continue to come from the Commonwealth Health Care Corporation (CHCC), due to delays or lack of mobility devices for patience being discharged, the ATP has seen a rise in referrals from the community. CHCC is the only public health care provider in the CNMI. People reporting hearing of the program during a conference or symposium has seen at least a 25% increase in 2023 from the previous year.

Referral Sources:

The CNMI ATP continues to receive a majority of its referrals from the Commonwealth Health Care Corporation (CHCC). The shipping to the islands that causes major delays, especially with durable medical equipment continues to be an issue for the islands. Short-term loans from patients being discharged from CHCC, the only inpatient hospital on island continues to be an issue. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) also had an increase in its referral to the ATP. Due to shipping and funding issues OVR was unable to timely provide some consumers with laptops before their courses started at the local college and referred of a number of consumers for laptop or tablet loaners. More demonstrations are being requested to be completed at the hospital for discharging patients. The ATP has been working on building its relationships with local health and rehabilitation providers and has seen a steady increase in referrals. Approximately 39% of our referrals for information and assistance come from CHCC and OVR.

A. Coordination/Collaboration

1. As concisely as possible, describe the partnership initiative. What activities/services were provided? Who are the major collaborating organizations and what is their role? Who is served/benefited? What funding was used to implement the initiative?

The CNMI AT Program, housed under the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities continued its work with the Developmental Disabilities Network (DD Network) to complete its goal of training all First Responders in the CNMI. The DD Network consists of three partners in each state and territory authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (the DD Act) and administered by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD): University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), State Developmental Disabilities Councils (DD Councils), and State Protection and Advocacy Systems(P&As). The DD Act authorizes—as well as other nationally significant initiatives and activities—DD Councils, P&As, and UCEDDs for the purpose of assuring that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life, through culturally competent programs. As outlined in the general provisions of the DD Act, the DD Councils, P&As, and UCEDDs have unique—although complementary—roles to play in achieving this purpose. As a general practice, these DD network partners coordinate and collaborate as appropriate to the nature of the projects, initiatives, and activities they undertake to fulfill their unique mandates. State Developmental Disabilities Councils (DD Councils) Authorized under Part B of the DD Act, DD Councils develop and implement a statewide plan to address priority areas relevant to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. DD Councils strive to increase the independence, productivity, inclusion and integration into the community of people with developmental disabilities, through a variety of systemic change, capacity building, and advocacy activities. State Systems for Protection and Advocacy of the Rights of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (P&As) Authorized under Part C of the DD Act, P&As develop and implement a system to protect and advocate for the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities. P&As provide legal representation and other advocacy services to all people with disabilities, investigate charges of abuse and neglect, and provide information and referrals. Grants to these programs are administered through the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The CNMI Assistive Technology Program in collaboration with the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities, CNMI-University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and the Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc. partnered on an initiative to provide training to CNMI First Responders for the next five years per the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities five-year state plan 2022-2026. Training objectives are to provide an overview of different disability types and accommodations that may be necessary, as well as an overview of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 as it relates to first responders. In addition, effective communication tools and strategies were also covered. The total number of hours for this training is 8 hours. A certificate of participation was provided to those individuals who completed the training. Partners provided funding and/or staff support the following: training, cost-share for venue rental, printing of training materials and staff support. As of October 2023, the AT Program in partnership with DD Council has provided trainings for over 700 first responders in the CNMI’s three populated islands. The program plans to continues its training with the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to be completed in FY 2024.

2. As concisely as possible, describe the measurable results of the initiative and any lessons learned. How did access to AT change as a result of the coordination/collaboration/partnership? How did awareness of AT change as a result of the partnership? How did the reach of the state AT program change as a result of the partnership? What made the partnership successful? What would you change or wish you had done differently? Provided funding/resources are available, will the initiative continue or is this a one-time event? What advice would you give for replication of the initiative? Please include URL for initiative if available.

Measurable results were evident in the pre and post-tests conducted during the trainings. This allowed for the expansion of access and functional needs, and reach of and to Assistive Technology available in the CNMI, with the various agencies involved in the trainings. The initiative is an ongoing process that is also a significant part of the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities Five-Year State Plan and will be continued. A part of this initiative contains ongoing evaluation plans that will be modified/adjusted based on feedback and data collected. The partnership allowed the respective partners to present information based on their expertise, with ATP providing the technology portion of the training. The DD Network is still in conversations with the various training programs such as the fire, police and customs academy to make the “Disability Awareness and Communication Tools” a standard class offered during the academies. This will ensure that all future new cadets are more prepared for assisting individuals with any type of disability upon graduating. The collaboration, which by extension involved agencies handling emergency responses allowed the ATP to expand its reach with these agencies. Based on feedback gathered from first responders, the information is being utilized in the field, with many stating that the communication boards are now becoming standard in emergency response vehicles. The partners are currently working on follow-up survey upon completion of the initiative to measure the impact of the trainings provided.

3. What focus areas(s) were addressed by the initiative?

Employment; Community Participation and Integration; Health; Information and Communication Technology / Remote Connectivity;

4. What AT Act authorized activity(s) were addressed?

Training;