Busting #MedicaidMyths: Long-term job coaching

July 14, 2017 / #MedicaidMyths

Myth: My best friend's son has Down Syndrome and works in an office with a job coach. That service is paid for by employment programs at Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, though, not Medicaid. Medicaid is only for medical needs.

Fact: While the state does provide some short-term employment services to people with disabilities, individuals with developmental disabilities who get waiver services are eligible for long-term job coaching and services paid for by Medicaid. Those services can include career discovery to determine the kinds of jobs a person might like, transportation to and from work, or training on how to do a job or use assistive technology. A job coach can even train the person's supervisor and co-workers so they know the best ways to work with them. Each person is eligible for a certain amount of job coaching services each year, but those services can continue year after year throughout their life as their interests and skills develop.

Call to Action:

Under the Senate's new health care bill, states would be forced to make cuts to Medicaid programs, including this one. Call Senator Portman to thank him for his support for people who depend on Medicaid and ask him to continue to vote NO.

Portman's regional and federal offices:

513-684-3265 Cincinnati
216-522-7095 Cleveland
614-469-6774 Columbus
419-259-3895 Toledo
202-224-3353 Washington, DC