Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Housing
and Community Development (DHCD): Working Together for Individuals with Disabilities
Presenters: Aaron Gornstein, Undersecretary DHCD and Karen Langley, Director of Assistive
Technology and Community Support Programs at EOHHS
Undersecretary Gornstein to provide an overview of existing and new housing initiatives and
activities administered by DHCD:
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Joint Committee on Housing for Persons with Disabilities
Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness
Interagency Council on Supportive Housing
Funding for housing development geared towards people with disabilities;
Community Based Housing, Facilities Consolidation Fund (FCF), Home
Modification Loan Program (HMLP) and Housing Innovations Funds
Administration of an $8m voucher from for the Department of Mental Health
811 Implementation Team planning meetings in anticipation of a HUD award for
100 units of project rental assistance (PRA) for permanent supportive housing
Other programs and initiatives
Karen Langley to provide a more detailed overview of the following programs that support
community living:
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MassAccess Housing Registry
Community Based Housing Program
Facilities Consolidation Fund
Home Modification Loan Program
Adaptive Housing Program (MRC)
Independent Living Centers
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Transition- Turning 22 Services
Statewide Head Injury Program Services
Catastrophic Illness in Children Services
Community Based Flexible Services & Voucher Program(DMH)
Assistive Technology Programs
DDS AT Centers
AT Regional Centers for Device Demo and Loan
Long Term Device Loan Program
MA Assistive Technology Loan Program
New England AT Exchange (getATstuff)
AT Resources for Educators, Students and Parents
Resources for Families with Children with Disabilities
MassAccessHousingRegistry- a free on-line database of affordable, accessible housing in
Massachusetts. http://www.massaccesshousingregistry.org
Community Based Housing Program- integrated accessible/adaptable, affordable housing
geared for families/individuals with a disability who are seeking to transition from an
institutional setting or to prevent institutionalization.
http://www.mass.gov/hed/housing/affordable-rent/community-based-housing-cbh.html
Facilities Consolidation Fund Program – affordable housing for consumers of DDS or DMH.
DDS funds group home living and DMH funds integrated, affordable
housing.http://www.mass.gov/hed/housing/affordable-rent/facilities-consolidation-fundfcf.html
Home Modification Loan Program- provides low and 0% loans for eligible homeowners to
make access and safety modifications for the primary residence of an individual with a disability.
Some landlords are eligible to apply. http://www.mass.gov/mrc/hmlp
Adaptive Housing- individuals eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation services through the
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission may also be eligible for adaptive housing services in
order to pursue their employment or training goals.
http://www.massmatch.org/fund_at/MRC_Adaptive_Hsing_FAQs.php
Independent Living Centers- provide information and referral, peer support, skills training and
advocacy for individuals with disabilities of all ages using a peer support role modeling
approach. http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/disability-services/livingsupports/independent-living/independent-centers.html
Vocational Rehabilitation Services- the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and the
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind both provide services to individuals with disabilities to
get and maintain employment. http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/disabilityservices/vocational-rehab/
Statewide Head Injury Program at MRC- children and youth with traumatic brain injuries.
http://www.mass.gov/mrc
Turning 22 Transition Services- For young persons with severe disabilities still in need of
services Chapter 688 serves as a bridge from educational services into the adult human services
program. http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/family-services/youth-services/youth-withdisabilities/a-guide-to-the-turning-22-law.html
Department of Public Health – Children and Youth with Special Health Needs – state
agency that provides care coordination of a child has a special health care need. For example, a
chronic illness, a disabling condition, or a frequent need for medical technology - it can be
difficult and frustrating to get the information, care, and services needed. Care coordinators can
help parents to:
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Identify the needs of their child and family;
Understand the full range of available public benefits;
Identify community resources to assist them;
Gain access to specific programs and services;
Become more effective advocates;
Connect with other families who face similar challenges
If a child has a special health care need - for example, a chronic illness, a disabling
condition, or a frequent need for medical technology - it can be difficult and frustrating to
get the information, care, and services needed. Care coordinators can help parents to:
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/community-health/family-health/special-healthneeds/care-coordination.html
Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund- The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief
Fund (CICRF) helps families bear the excessive financial burdens associated with the care of
children with special health care needs and disabilities
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/community-health/family-health/special-healthneeds/cicrf/
Mass Commission for the Blind-children and youth with low vision, blind or deaf/blind.
http://www.mass.gov/mcb
Department of Mental Health- children and youth with significant psychiatric issues.
http://www.mass.gov/dmh Provides services through a Community Based Flexible Funding
Supports model with local community providers.
Department of Developmental Services-children and youth with intellectual disabilities.
http://www.mass.gov/dds
Mass. Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing- individuals who are deaf, hard of
hearing in need of information about resources and limited case management.
http://www.mass.gov/mcd
Assistive Technology Programs:
DDS AT Regional Centers- DDS operates 4 regional AT Centers to meet the adaptive
technology of eligible consumers in residential and community care.
MassMATCH AT Program- provides funding for programs for device demonstration,
device loan, device reuse and financing.
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AT Regional Centers for device demo and device loanhttp://www.massmatch.org/inventory/
NE England AT Exchange for reuse of used assistive technologyhttp://getatstuff.org/home.php
MA Assistive Technology Loan Program for low interest loans to buy assistive
technology- http://www.massatloan.org/
Long Term Device Loan Program for the acquisition (borrow long term) of assistive
devices costing less than $500http://ma.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=MADR_ATloanpressrelease
AT School Share for school systems to “share” technology and technology knowledge
for students requiring assistive technology- http://atschoolshare.massmatch.org/
Federation for Children with Special Needs- provides information, training, advocacy, support
groups for families with a child with a disability http://fcsn.org/index.php
Disability Law Center- is a private, non-profit organization responsible for providing protection
and advocacy for the rights of Massachusetts residents with disabilities so they may participate
fully in the social and economic life of Massachusetts. They provide information, referral,
technical assistance and legal representation regarding legal rights and services for people with
disabilities that meet DLC’s priorities. http://www.dlc-ma.org/index.htm