AHEDD’s Community
Relationships and Sponsors
AHEDD is committed to serving the community as a catalyst in the employment and development of persons with disabilities and frequently collaborates with various organizations in carrying out this mission. Our partners consist of organizations and individuals that can help with agency funding; referrals of program participants; training for our staff; guidance for AHEDD’s operational needs; job opportunities; accommodations and advocacy; resources for disability rights and much more.
Our services to people with disabilities are often sponsored by public resources at the federal, state, and local levels. Currently, these funders include: the Social Security Administration (SSA); the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); The Pew Charitable Trusts; the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR); PA Department of Health and Human Services (county level administration through the funds available from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS); and the office of Long-Term Living (OLTL).
We also partner with transition councils and have direct agreements with both public and private schools to provide and/or or supplement the transition services that the educational system is mandated to deliver. We routinely partner with foundations to receive grants and welcome donations from employers and individual supporters. When a third- party funder is not available or has eligibility requirements that do not meet the need of an employer and/or individual, we can also arrange for private pay situations.
In order to strengthen our connections to the business community and understand the needs and challenges of today’s workplace, various staff at AHEDD participate in functions for business organizations. Specifically, many or our employees attend events hosted by such business-minded groups as chambers of commerce, local affiliates of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), trade associations and manufacturing organizations. Our geographic reach and role in administrating Disability:IN Pennsylvania expanded AHEDD’s connection to business and has often helped us to leverage expertise that we need for individual services and our support of employers.
While direct service is our main focus, AHEDD’s interest in acting as a “catalyst” has driven key representatives to remain actively involved in the discussion of industry challenges, best practices, policy updates, and legislative changes. Our key management team is involved in such groups as: the Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association (RCPA) Board of Directors; PA Bankers Association Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board; the Statewide Provider Partnership; the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Association; lead affiliate for Disability:IN-Pennsylvania; the Client Assistance Program; and others.