VT Reuse Leaps and Bounds “ with a little help from our friends …” 2007 through Aug 2009

1. VT Reuse Leaps and Bounds “ with a little help from our friends…” 2007 through Aug 2009 September 15, 2009 Sharon Alderman Assistive Technology Reuse Project Coordinator phone: 802-241-2387 toll free: 1-888-827-2714 sharon.alderman@ahs.state.vt.us

2. Goals of AT Act Programs Work to improve access to and the acquisitionof AT for increased independence in 4 functional areas of life across all ages Education Employment Community Living Information Tech & Telecommunications

3. Vermont’s focus for AT Reuse Access Acquisition through collaboration • Community exchange and networking, • School exchange, professional consultation, • VT Medicaid to reuse/recycle AT-DME

4. Vermont Stakeholders THE WHO: • VocRehabVermont • Vermont AT Program • Vermont Family Network • Vermont Medicaid THE HOW: • Applied for demo grant • Committed to find alternative funding • Received MIG funding

5. Vermont’s focus for AT Reuse Success through collaboration From an idea born at the 2006 AT Reuse Conference New England programs began collaborating to create the regional AT Exchange www.getATstuff.com CT, ME, MA, RI, NH, VT We continue our collaboration thru teleconferences and regional meetings which have become forums for all things AT.

6. VT AT Reuse Began with • Vermont officially began using getATstuff.com in February 2007. • Hired a coordinator in late October 2007. • Focused on developing relationships, • gathering information, • networking and collaborating - locally and nationally • with existing state reuse programs and non-profits, who provided equipment reuse services.

7. 2007-2008 Marketing Results • Donation of $285,000 of new and used DME • Partnership with a non-profit to house & distribute • Significant increase in use of getATstuff.com service • Participation and collaboration with existing reuse non-profits • Increased requests for presentations about services

8. Reutilization Data 2007-2009 to Date

9. Reutilization Data 2007-2009 to Date • 2007 • 2008 -36 Items - $98,361 savings • 2009-159 Items – $542,138 savings • Customer satisfaction near 100%

10. Why Collaboration in New England? • Consumers could search one location – www.getATstuff.com and travel easily as New England is so small. • AT Act Program Regional meetings were possible It grew to sharing of: • Materials, Knowledge, Action plans, • Savings in web-site development

11. Teamwork! How about a School Exchange ME lead to ATIA!! CT Lead the way! MassMatch joined in!! 16 Districts and counting

12. Vermont’s AT School Swap • 16 Districts/Supervisory Unions participating • Enthusiasm remains high – slow growth • Districts getting equipment via getATstuff.com • Further Teleconferences and meetings planned Initial Web-site and logo courtesy of CT

13. Invaluable contributions Kansas’ AT Program accomplishments, resources and materials shared thoughtfully and readily. Jessica Brodey, JMB policy, “ditto” Both provided consultation with our AAG and OVHA Pass It On Center Webinars and Knowledge Base increase awareness, knowledge and sharing All New England Partners – Pure Gold !!!

14. Thank you for joining us! We are happy to share materials Sharon Alderman VT AT Reuse Project Coordinator Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living 103 South Main Street - Weeks 113 Waterbury, VT 05671-2305 Phone: 802-241-2387 Toll Free: 1-888-827-2714 TTY: 802-241-1464 Fax: 802-241-2174 sharon.alderman@ahs.state.vt.us or sharon.alderman@vtfn.org Julie Tucker VT Assistive Technology Program Director Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living 103 South Main Street Waterbury, VT 05671-2305 Phone: 802-241-2672 Toll Free: 800-750-6355 TTY: 802-241-1464 Fax: 802-241-2174 julie.tucker@ahs.state.vt.us Printing of this material supported by the VT Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (11-P-92403-1/04) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in collaboration with the Vermont Assistive Technology Program and Vermont Family Network.