Below are some ideas to help you get started.
Social Security Disability Programs
A youth age 18 or older may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or another Social Security Disability Program, even if he/she still lives with parents. SSI is the program most adults who have never worked or have worked only minimally will qualify for. These programs provide a monthly check, depending on an individual’s assets and income. If qualified for one of these programs, he/she will also get Medicaid or Medicare.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/links_ssi.htm
Medicaid Waivers
Medicaid Waivers are publicly funded health care programs that enable a person who might not otherwise financially qualify for Medicaid to be eligible, due to a chronic condition and/or disability. This link,http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/HCPF/HCPF/1197364086675 will supply you with a list of Medicaid Waivers. Each has a description and contact person. Medicaid Waivers specific to children with autism are overseen by your area’s Community Center Board (CCB). The CCB also has jurisdiction over adult developmental disabilities waivers. ASC can assist you to identify who that entity is
Parents’ Health Insurance -
In most cases, a young adult may stay on his parents’ health plan as long as he/she is enrolled in an institution of higher ed. and/or he/she has a letter from his/her doctor verifying his/her disability status.
Vocational Rehabilitation –
The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation is federally funded to provide employment support to persons with disabilities. Training and vocational assistance may not provide as much support to an adult with autism as he/she needs to be successful in the workplace, but the agency is undergoing revisions to address the “extended need intervals” for persons with autism.
Vocational Rehabilitation should be considered as an important transition planning partner for youth, ages 16 or older. http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/dvr/
Colorado Works -Workforce Centers Disability Navigators –
In the Workforce Centers run by the Department of Human Services (social services) there are disability navigators whose jobs are to assist people with disabilities to get employment.
http://www.cowinpartners.org/Consumer-navigator.asp
Families and Allies Working Together –
This group aims to help families help their young adult (or teen) with a disability to gather a group of caring and responsible people around them who make a commitment to assisting person to actualize their hopes and dreams.
www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/familiesallies
Independent Living Centers -
These are federally funded resources in a few counties in each state. In the Denver area the one people would contact is Disability Center for Independent Living. This is a resource that might be able to help the youth or adult develop skills and find support from others who have disabilities. http://codi.buffalo.edu/archives/.cils.htm#CO
College Living Experience –
Youth that may have the aptitude to attend college can get support from this organization. Students could attend any of a number of Metro area colleges (Emily Griffith, and some other non-traditional schools are included) http://www.cleinc.net/locations/denver.aspx
