Our Programs
SOAR Across Michigan is continuing the success!
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) hosted the third annual SOAR conference on October 21st of 2011. With 128 attendees the event was a huge success with the largest turn out to date! Visit our photo gallery for photos from the SOAR Conference.
Those who attended were able to gain valuable knowledge most pertinent to them with a new break-out session agenda used this year. We had some great feedback on the content covered and the new agenda.
Here are a few quotes from the evaluation:
"Excellent, interesting and motivating, great ideas, useful information, inspired and ready to start, came away with 'I can do this' feeling."
"I really learned things I didn't know. I looked forward to each breakout."
"Loved the breakout sessions. They allowed for movement & were long enough to be informative and short enough to keep my attention."
The break-out sessions included:
- Effective Hospital Partnerships
- Time Management
- Team Approach to Collaboration
- Successful Local SOAR Initiative
- VA & VA Disability Benefits
- Using Outcomes for Sustainability
- Getting Started
- HMIS Training
- Conquering the D*** MSR
- Taking Care of You
- Appeals
- Working with People who are Chronically Homeless
The event recognized the efforts of regions, agencies, and individuals in getting approvals. We also recognized outstanding individuals who were nominated by the SSA and DDS. Congratulations to these award-winners and the many other committed partners of SOAR who make the program a reality!
In the four years that SOAR has operated in Michigan, over 1,600 people have been trained to complete applications and, at latest count, there were over 2,400 applications completed, with a 66% initial approval rating in an average of 79 days. To view the full Michigan SOAR Report, which contains regional data, download the October 2010 report below.
For more information about SOAR Across Michigan, please contact Monica Bellamy, Michigan SOAR Coordinator , DCH at bellamy@michigan.gov or visit http://www.prainc.com/soar.
SSI Outreach Access and Recovery (SOAR):
SSI/SSDI (Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance) Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) helps the homeless successfully apply for SSI/SSDI the first time. SOAR encourages collaboration among human service agencies to improve access to SSI/SSDI by facilitating strategic planning at the state and local levels.
A Train-the-Trainer program has been used to improve and build the frontline staff that provides assistance with SSA disability applications to people who are homeless. SOAR is implemented through local human service agencies, such as shelters, Community Mental Health, Department of Human Services, community action agencies, and other nonprofit agencies.