United Way
LIFE IS PROUD TO BE A UNITED WAY AGENCY THROUGHOUT THE STATE!
Eligibility requirements for those services funded in whole or in part with United Way dollars: In order to receive services from LIFE, a person must have a significant disability that prevents them from performing at least three or more activities of daily living as defined under the Rehabilitation Act of 1978 as amended in 1992. LIFE provides services to consumers of any age and any type of disability that will assist them in their efforts to be independent in their own homes and communities. Consumers served with United Way funding must meet the eligibility requirements of LIFE and live in one of the counties served by United Way of Northeast Mississippi, Jackson Metropolitan Area or Southeast Mississippi. The consumer selects the service needed by completing an Application for Services form and an Independent Living Plan and must show the LIFE staff member how the requested service will improve/enhance their independence in the community.
My United Way – Jackson Metropolitan Area: Tri-County Housing Initiative Project - $25,000
LIFE has benefited from United Way funding in Jackson for more than 10 years. LIFE’s Tri-County Housing Initiative is providing home modifications and home buyer education to individuals with disabilities living in the tri-county area in an effort to ensure that they can continue to live independently in their own homes and communities. To accomplish this mission, LIFE partners with the Ms Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), the Mississippi Paralysis Association (MPA), and the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at the University of Southern Mississippi. Referrals for modifications and/or home buyer education are received from a variety of sources, such as our three partners on the project, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, home health agencies, family and friends and more. Modifications are made only after an assessment of the consumers home has been conducted and, if necessary, a rehabilitation engineer has developed specifications for the job and discussed these with a contractor. The Independent Living Specialist working the tri-county area seeks bids from contractors and we will usually work with the contractor who has the lowest bid.
LIFE also provides home buyer education and skills training to consumers with disabilities living in the tri-county area. Most of the individuals served by LIFE are living on fixed incomes. Purchasing a home on a fixed income or continuing to live in a home can become difficult on a low budget, and therefore LIFE refers individuals to IDS’s Housing Initiatives, Habitat for Humanity and other well established programs that assist individuals with disabilities to become first time home owners.
Objectives:
- Consumer choice and consumer control of services provided that enhance or maintain independence in their own homes and communities.
- Improve hygiene, resulting in less incidence of secondary complications and increasing health benefits, by providing bathroom modifications.
- Increased self-esteem and self-worth as the result of increased involvement in family and community activities – resulting from the ability to exit the home and move about the community freely.
Contacts: Roger Bullock, Independent Living Specialist LIFE State Office/Jackson
United Way of Southeast Mississippi – Hattiesburg Area: Housing and Home Modifications for Individuals with Disabilities - $25,000
Funding received from UWSE is used to provide home modifications to individuals with disabilities living in Forest, Lamar, and Perry counties, including the towns of Hattiesburg, Purvis, Lumberton and Petal. LIFE staff assess a consumers home for necessary modifications, utilizing the expertise of a rehabilitation engineer when warranted. United Way funding has previously been used to cover the costs of both labor and materials. However, due to the United Way network in the Hattiesburg area, LIFE has begun locating volunteers to provide the labor free of charge in some instances. On average, LIFE is able to modify the homes of 12 individuals during the funding year at approximately $2,000 per modification.
Contacts: Charlean Bolton or Kris McNair, Independent Living Specialists LIFE Hattiesburg Office
United Way of Northeast Mississippi – Tupelo Area: Independent Living Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities - $22,000
United Way of Northeast Mississippi covers the counties of Lee, Chickasaw, Ittawamba, Prentiss, Tishomingo, Union and Pontotoc. Funds from this United Way are used primarily to provide home modifications to individuals with disabilities, although they can also be used for the purchase of durable medical equipment and supplies as well.
Contacts: Michael Sullivan, Regional Coordinator LIFE Tupelo Office