Links

Government Programs Information

Medicare/Medicaid Benefits
Benefitscheckup helps people with Medicare and other older adults to learn about and enroll in government benefits, including the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage and other valuable federal, state and private programs that can save you money on health care and prescription drugs.
Medicare's New Coverage for Prescription Drugs (7-1-05)
This site provide information regarding Medicare's new prescription drug program.
Medicare Discount Card
People with disabilities who already receive Medicare benefits may be eligible for a drug discount card, while people who are on Medicaid may not be eligible. Because of the complex information, it is hard for anyone to decide if they should apply for the card, and if they get one, what its advantages will be. The web site makes it easier.
Medicaid Provider Search
The Division of Medical Services web site has a quick link that allows the Medicaid Provider list to be accessed online. Searches may be done by provider names, business listing, provider type, specialty or county.
Missouri Medicaid Recipient Handbook
This is a link to the missouri Medicaid / MC+ recipient handbook. It provides information about Medicaid including eligibility criteria and service coverage.
Missouri Assistive Technology
The Missouri Assistive Technology program provides many resources for assistive technology in Missouri, including funding for AT, low interest loans and equipment loan programs.
Missouri Family Trust
The Missouri Family Trust offers a way for families to contribute to the care and quality of life for their loved ones without risking the loss of vital government funding, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.
Missouri's Guide to Home and Community Based Services
Today, many persons with physical or mental disabilities and the elderly live and wish to continue living independently in their homes and communities. For some, this is made possible through supportive services that help Missourians of all ages. Whether or not you are eligible for these services may depend on your income and resources, need for care, and availability of services. "Missouri's Guide to Home and Community Based Services" explains home and community services that exist in Missouri and eligibility criteria for these services.
National Center on Senior Transportation
The site offers extensive resources toward the advancement of transportation options for older adults who wish to live more independently within their communities. The site offers information and resources including announcements, facts and tips, publications, special events, opportunities of others, and technical assistance for the aging and human service community, transit providers, and older adults and caregivers. This site is good information not just for seniors, but for people with disabilities.
New Freedom Initiative Online Resource For People With Disabilities
A comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities with the information they need to know quickly and easily. With just a few clicks, the site provides access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including civil rights, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology, transportation, and community life.
Nursing Home Compare Tool
The primary purpose of the Nursing Home Compare tool is to provide detailed information about the past performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country. Nursing Home Compare contains the following sections of detailed information:
  • About the Nursing Home: including the number of beds and type of ownership.
  • Quality Measures: Provides data on quality measures including the percent of residents with pressure (bed) sores, percent of residents with physical restraints, and more.
  • Inspection Result Information: including health deficiencies found during the most recent State nursing home survey and from recent complaint investigations.
  • Nursing Home Staff Information: including the average number of hours worked by registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and certified nursing assistants per resident per day.
Missouri's Lt. Governor, Joe Maxwell, in partnership with MissouriPRO and the National Home Quality Initiative (NHQI), has formed a task force to promote and educate the availability of the Nursing Home Compare information on Medicare's web site. Click on Nursing Home Compare for additional information. Information may also be obtained by calling: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
SSA Information for Individuals Who Want to Work
This web site features information on social security and work incentives. It includes a Frequently Asked Question section and a "Calculations" page to assist individuals in determining the effect of income on benefit amounts. This page is very helpful for anyone who has a disability, wants to work, but is worried about how employment will affect benefits.
SSA Disability Starter Kits
The Social Security Administration's (SSA's) Disability Starter Kit is a tool designed to help individuals prepare to participate in a disability interview or complete an online application for benefits. Kits are available for adults and for children under age 18, and provide information about the specific documents and the information that is required by SSA in order to apply for disability benefits. The kits also provide general information about the disability programs and the SSA disability decision-making process. Each Disability Starter Kit contains a fact sheet that answers questions about applying for disability benefits, a Checklist of documents and information SSA will request during the application process, and a Worksheet to help applicants gather and organize the information they will need.
Tele-Rehab Training Program (Missouri)
This link includes information on the tele-medicine project at Rusk Rehabilitation Center and includes a locater for mental health providers in many (not all) parts of Missouri. The tele-medicine project allows persons who have received treatment at Rusk for head injuries to return to their local community where they may need follow-up counseling services. Tele-medicine allows a specialist at Rusk who is familiar with a case, to link to a site in the person's community where a local provider has been arranged, and through the link, the specialist at Rusk is able to provide consultative services to the local provider who is often not a specialist.

Disability Organizations & Associations

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - AAIDD (Formerly AAMR)
An on-line resource that will augment AAMR activities and give you rapid access to information about the mental retardation and disabilities field.
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Association of University Centers on Disabilities
A network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.
The Arc
The Arc is the national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families. It is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for people with mental retardation and their families. The association also fosters research and education regarding the prevention of mental retardation in infants and young children.
Missouri Association of County Developmental Services (MACDDS)
This web site contains a variety of information regarding the MACDDS organization including a county map of SB 40 agencies, a calendar of events and meeting schedule, by-laws and disability related links.
National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils
NADDC's mission is to provide support & assistance to member councils in order to promote a consumer and family centered system of services and supports for those with developmental disabilities.

Disability Specific Links

Autism Society of America
ASA is dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with autism, their families and the professionals with whom they interact. The Society and its chapters share a common mission of providing information and education, supporting research and advocating for programs and services for the autism population.
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Brain Injury Association, Inc.
The mission of the Brain Injury Association of America is to create a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy.
Epilepsy Foundation of America
The Epilepsy Foundation is a national, charitable organization, founded in 1968 as the Epilepsy Foundation of America. The only such organization wholly dedicated to the welfare of people with epilepsy, our mission is simple: to work for children and adults affected by seizures through research, education, advocacy and service.
Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council
The Missouri Head Injury Advisory Council is appointed by the Governor to promote, study, review, and recommend policies to prevent traumatic head injuries and to restore independent and productive lifestyles after traumatic head injury.
Missouri Traumatic Brain Injury Project 
TBI MO is working to improve the delivery of community-based services to people with brain injury (BI) and their families. Its main focus is strengthening relationships between hospitals, private rehabilitation service providers, and local school districts regarding supports for BI. This web site has valuable information including the following topics:
  • Frequently Asked Questions - Answers to common questions about resources for persons with BI;
  • Ask the Doctor - Answers to questions on BI from neuropsychologists;
  • Support groups and links to other resources; and
  • Ask Kathy M - A Q&A advice column written by a person with BI.
Multiple Sclerosis International Federation
A comprehensive, international and up to date information resource developed by MS experts worldwide.
New Work and Benefits Calculator
Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) helps workers, job seekers, students, and service providers understand the connections between work and benefits. In addition to the Benefits-to-Work Calculator and the Job-to-Job Calculator, a new calculator called School and Work is now available for youth with disabilities.
Prader Willi Association (USA)
The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) is dedicated to serving individuals affected by Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), their families, and interested professionals.
United Cerebral Palsy Association
As one of the largest health charities in America, UCP's mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, through our commitment to the principles of independence, inclusion and self-determination.

Advocacy and Additional Resources

Allen Shea and Associates
This site contains a lot of good information about person centered planning.
Travel Information for Individuals with Disabilities

 


This new site will provide you with information on businesses from around the world that specialize in travel for persons with disabilities.
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Governor's Council on Disabilities Resource Directory
The Directory of Resources for Missourians with Disabilities, published every other year, lists over 600 agencies and organizations in Missouri who provide services to people with disabilities.
Human Services Research Institute
HSRI Assists human service organizations to develop quality support systems for Children, adults and families.
Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (MODDRC) is an information and referral service located at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD), and funded by the Missouri Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities. The MODDRC can help locate needed services and obtain materials on a variety of topics related to developmental disabilities and low incidence disabilities. MODDRC services are available at no cost to any individual, family or organization in Missouri.
Missouri Statewide Independent Living Council
This council supports the Independent Living Centers throughout the state of Missouri.
National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems
NAPAS, the voluntary national membership association of protection & advocacy systems and client assistance programs, assumes leadership in promoting and strengthening the role and performance of its members in providing quality legally based advocacy services. NAPAS has a vision of a society where people with disabilities exercise self -determination and choice and have equality of opportunity and full participation. NAPAS believes this vision will be realized through the enactment and vigorous enforcement of laws protecting civil and human rights.
People First
People First is a self-advocacy and self help organization formed by, run by and which exists for persons with developmental disabilities. The members of People First are educating members in their schools, work places, homes and communities on how a person with a developmental disability has the right to live, work and play as every human being does.
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Quality Mall
The primary purpose of QualityMall.org is to collect and disseminate information related to or useful in promoting quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities. It is not a retailer or vendor of products or services, but uses the theme of a shopping mall to help connect visitors to the best products and services available. People involved with, experienced with, or simply aware of such services are invited to visit QualityMall.org, shop the many "stores," and make recommendations for new products and services.
Sharing Our Strengths
Sharing Our Strengths (SOS) is a statewide support matching network that will allow families to share information, resources and strengths with each other to promote empowerment and support for families and persons with a diagnosis.

Professional Development
Online Nurse Practitioner Programs: A resource for students to find in-depth information about nurse practitioner programs

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