Volume 15 Number 2 • 2002

Success through the RESEED Project

By Joe Longcor, Allegan County Community Mental Health Services, Allegan, MI

It’s been exciting in Allegan County working on the Rural Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Expansion Design (RESEED) project. Rural Institute Organizational Consultant David Hammis has been working with Allegan County Community Mental Health this past year, uncovering and shaping new employment options for individuals with disabilities.

Presentations and business planning sessions were jointly sponsored through funding received from the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration, through the RESEED project, and the Michigan Department of Career Development/Michigan Rehabilitation Services Innovation and Expansion Grant. Locally, the project was supported by Allegan County Community Mental Health Services.

David began by presenting six community forums to more than 80 people, educating the community at large about maximizing Social Security benefits for individuals to achieve employment related goals. He brought his 20 year history in the disabilities field and his proven successes to the group and fueled new energy to help individuals with disabilities discover new options in employment in Allegan County.

PASS Plans

One of the first things David taught us was understanding Social Security benefits and Work Incentives, especially Plans for Achieving Self Support (PASS plans). PASS plans can be a powerful tool for funding employment goals. We learned the power of PASS plans by writing them. I’m proud to say we have a 100% success rate for the PASS plans we wrote during the RESEED project; the Social Security Administration has approved both of the PASS plans we submitted. We have several more ready for submission.

Our first PASS plan was to help a person with a vending machine business. PASS funds totaling $14,500 were used to purchased a van, adaptive equipment, and insurance. This amount was a renegotiated amount from an original $12,500 request. Our second PASS was for an individual in wage employment who is now working 20 hours a week at over $10 per hour. This person received an $8,000 PASS. Another wage employment PASS for a different individual has been submitted requesting over $15,000.

Success breeds success; we have now received our first Michigan Department of Career Development/Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) authorization to support an individual to become a self-employed painter. A $3,500 commitment from MRS was received. This commitment will be used as leverage for the painter’s $19,000 PASS plan request.

Other Successes

Allegan County Community Mental Health’s successful local networking has led to two potential business owners with disabilities partnering with already established business owners to enhance both businesses. We are nurturing at least eight additional business concepts for individuals and facing the opportunities and challenges of including/encouraging family and a person’s support network to promote new employment options.

We are now discussing the need to consider a strong systemic change to oversee benefits analysis for all individuals served, and to best assure the fullest success of an individual’s PASS funds. In addition, Bob Besser, Coordinator of Self-Employment, Allegan County Community Mental Health, presented at the Michigan Transition Conference in late July to promote the many opportunities that supported self-employment is bringing to Allegan County and its residents.

Gross sales from the two established supported self-employment businesses exceeded $20,000 over the last 18 months. The reinvestment of these sales, grant money for business related purchases only (not for salaries, etc.), and PASS funding exceeded $32,000. Sales and personal income taxes paid exceeded $1,500, compared to virtually no tax that would have been paid previously. We have witnessed personal growth for both business owners, as well as others researching business and wage employment, that reflects tremendous growth in self-worth, determination, productivity, and expectations.

Business planning continues, more PASS plans are being prepared and submitted to Social Security, and a new awareness of maximizing a person’s Social Security benefits is erupting as Allegan County Community Mental Health Services moves progressively forward, supporting employment opportunities throughout Allegan County and sharing this information and energy throughout Michigan. Look for more up dates soon…’til then keep the dreams alive and plan for the future.

Contact Information

Joe Longcor
Allegan County Community Mental Health Services
3285 122nd Ave.
Allegan, MT 49010
(616) 673-4293