Outreach to Unserved/Underserved Populations
PA CAP is always looking for ideas or ways, to expand the groups to whom we outreach. Our advocate that spends a lot of time going over some of our case statistics, in particular the category “Primary Disabling Condition” is getting an idea of who we are serving and who is not getting to CAP. Amputees, TBI and kidney (genitourinary conditions) transplants are three populations that CAP believes are unserved/underserved. In FY 2011, CAP clients that have any of these 3 disabilities make up only about 5% of our total cases. This statistic gives us good information so we can better target our outreach. To this end, in FY2011, we have outreached to the Amputee Coalition of America.
This organization was in and of itself a good contact and lead to others. A list of amputee support groups in PA was sent to us. We are happy to report we spent time and effort contacting each of these support groups, some of which include; Western PA Amputees, Central PA Amputee support group, Amputees for Amputees, Lehigh Valley Amputee support group. In FY 2012, we will continue to uncover groups, providers, and rehabs that work with this population. In contacting some of these support groups and providing information about CAP and OVR services, it was great to hear the excitement in an amputee’s voice when they understood that if they are able to work, they can possibly receive help getting a new prosthesis if they apply to OVR. If they encounter a problem with this vocational rehabilitation service, they now know they can call CAP. The hopeful tone of the person’s voice who would not have known about such support without our call reaching out can be the difference in the person working or not. If OVR can provide a prosthesis, the person can work, without a prosthesis this person may not be able to work. What an impact our outreach can have!!
Another group that our case profiles show is an underserved population is individuals who have a traumatic brain injury, TBI. Again, we have made some strides in contacting various organizations, support groups, etc. that work directly with these individuals.
In FY 2012, we will continue to get more involved with these populations and help increase their awareness of CAP and OVR services.
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