UPI Taxonomy Image
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Name

Agency Management

Description

To ensure that case managers, vendors, contractors, and the agency not only are functioning, but also achieving stated outcomes, it is important to monitor progress. There are numerous levels to agency management, including internal management, contractor management, and compliance with Federal regulations. Performance on these measures affects agency staffing and funding, and can have a profound impact on the success of the agency's clients.

Stinson & Associates, Inc.

Overview

Agency Name: Stinson & Associates, Inc.

Contact Information: Dr. Jayne Roberts-Stinson President/CEO 189-B Sams Street Decatur, GA 30030

Phone: (404) 209-0665 Fax: (404) 209-0627 jstinson@stinsonassociates.com www.stinsonassociates.com

Type of Program/Practice: Non-attorney representatives that specialize in helping Fulton County TANF recipients with disabilities become work ready or apply for and obtain Social Security benefits.

Description

Program/Practice Description: Stinson & Associates is a small company that offers a variety of services to TANF recipients with disability claims. The ultimate goal is to help people accept their limitations while realizing their capabilities so hard-to-serve TANF customers can participate in meaningful work. This is accomplished by removing major barriers to work and assisting clients with community-based work experiences, job applications, interviews, and searches. Concurrently, for clients with permanent disabilities, Stinson acts as an advocate to help these customers obtain Social Security benefits.

Innovations and Results: The approach is a 24/7 holistic practice. Beyond the traditional activities of job preparation and job searches, Stinson offers an array of services, including assessment, clothing and food assistance, cash assistance in emergencies, and life skills advocacy. A unique practice employed by Stinson involves close collaboration with the Fulton County Division of Family and Children Services. When Stinson begins an intervention, primarily in the case of medically delayed customers, all needs of the customer are addressed. Family members, case managers, and other peopled involved with a customer participate in a meeting, referred to as a staffing, to create buy-in and provide wraparound support for the individual. A staffing takes place once a month for each client, but a special meeting will be called in the event that a client fails to participate properly in the program. The program reports its success is reflected in the resulting increase in the work participation rates in Fulton County.

Operations: The program can enroll up to 20 people per month and the clients are primarily African-American women. Client disabilities include a mix of hindrances to work, from arthritis to worker compensation cases. Stinson reports that about 10 percent of these clients actually have a permanent disability; the others have a temporary disability or a mental health concern. Stinson identifies the extent of the disability, whether the condition is permanent, where the individual will best fit into employment, and whether a different program would better help the client attain employment. If an individual may be eligible for Social Security, Stinson acts as an advocate, unless the person is already working with a lawyer. After a client obtains a job, Stinson continues to support that client for up to one year.

Implementation

Tips to Implementation: For agencies interested in implementing a similar program, Stinson emphasizes that they should choose contractors and professionals carefully to guarantee the providers are effective. They should make sure the organization's resources, style, and staff are well suited to the clientele they intend to serve.

Keys to Success:

  • Stinson offers that one key to success is maintaining an open relationship with partners and keeping in constant communication with Division of Family and Children Services offices, which implement supports and penalties as necessary. Stinson emphasizes that having community resource specialists from the county office visit the program regularly helps provide wraparound support for the client and facilitates communication between the two offices.
  • Stinson suggests that organizations must make an accurate determination of what disabled clients can and will do. Clients must assess themselves as well before the organization can develop a practical plan to help that client achieve the next step.

Tools

The following tools are associated with Stinson & Associates, Inc. Please send us an email at upitoolkit@blhtech.com for more information about these tools.

Assessments

Stinson & Associates Mission Statement

Participants Manual

Medical Statement

Participants Manual: Making a Difference

Social Security Disability Advocacy Program Assessment