Advancing Capabilities Enhancing Skills (ACES) is changing. Through a lengthy strategic planning process about the purpose and mission of our parent organization, Opportunity for Work and Learning (OWL), we identified areas which OWL can build on and areas we can improve. The changes proposed align ACES more closely with OWL and its mission to serve individuals and communities.
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Advancing Capabilities Enhancing Skills is becoming OWL’s Medicaid Waiver Program. ACES is a branch of Opportunity for Work and Learning which serves individuals on the Michelle P. and SCL waivers. Moving forward, we hope to more clearly communicate the connection that already exists between ACES and OWL. We will become OWL’s Medicaid Waiver Program. This change will be reflected in our name, logo, and branding.
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We are expanding Supported Employment. Employment is at the heart of OWL’s mission. Since 1961, we have assisted individuals with a variety of factors impacting their employability to meaningfully contribute to their communities through work. We currently provide Supported Employment and hope to expand these services to serve more individuals exploring the benefits of work.
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We are reimagining our services. We are making changes to the way we provide Community Living Supports (CLS), Personal Assistance (PA), and Community Access (CA). Our goal is to use these supports as a pathway to long-term independence systematically reducing the need for paid assistance in favor of the development of natural supports and access to community resources. What does this mean?
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CLS, PA, and CA provided by OWL will lead to employment. We expect everyone participating with OWL is on a path toward paid work. All services will focus toward that end.
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We will design goals for services to taper off over time and introduce measurements of success at specific intervals. We will routinely meet to evaluate progress or regression and address barriers to success with greater frequency.
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For current participants, we will evaluate changes on an individual basis continuing to provide the best service possible. This means supporting current participants with CLS, PA, and CA and working with individuals to determine potential for employment and timeline to begin work. Participants currently meeting their goals may not see an immediate changes in service.
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This renewal process is ongoing and we want your feedback. Your participation in the survey listed below is appreciated.
