MORC to host three overview sessions on Supports Intensity Scale

To reserve a seat for the overview sessions, call Diane Mills at 586 263 8663 within five days before the event or email her at diane.mills@morcinc.org

Ryan Leininger, the Supports Intensity Scale Training Coordinator at the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, will present three overview sessions of the SIS in September, October and November.
Leininger will be assisted in the training sessions by Katie Kramer, an SIS trainer.
The SIS is a technique to evaluate an individual with a disability and then design a rehabilitation program specifically tailored to the person with a disability.
The SIS sessions are scheduled on Sept. 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Conference Room C103 at MORC's Clinton Township office; Oct. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Conference Room 400A at the Clinton office and Nov. 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Conference Room C101 at the Clinton office.
Topics will include the history and background of the SIS; what is measured and how; what is expected from an SIS interview and how the SIS is used in a Person-Centered-Plan for a person with a disability.
The SIS was developed by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, based in Washington, D.C., and is broadly used across the United States and internationally.
It is considered a reliable and standardized way to consider the types of supports an individual with a disability requires for daily living activities.
It also considers how often support is needed. An AAIDD-trained interviewer works with you and those you trust to consider your individual supports if you have a disability. The meeting usually lasts between 90 minutes and two hours. Participants can include a guardian, family, friends, or an advocate. Others involved could include a Support Coordinator and Case Manager.
Areas focused upon in an SIS include home and community living, lifelong learning, employment, social life, health and safety, protection and advocacy and medical and behavioral conditions.
To maximize the success of a SIS evaluation consider your daily supports and how often you need support, what type of support is needed and how much time it takes.
Also consider what you would need to successfully complete a task, keep an open mind, if you are unsure, ask questions and if you are uncomfortable during the interview or need a break, just ask the interviewer and he or she will help resolve the immediate situation.
The interview also is designed to generate a consensus among you and your caregiving stakeholders about your supports.
Jerry Wolffe is the Writer in Residence and Advocate at Large at the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center. He can be reached at 586 263 8950.