Empowering Lives:
Service and Support Administration (SSA)

Your Service and Support Administration (SSA) representative is dedicated to partnering with individuals with disabilities and their families, offering comprehensive and compassionate support throughout their lifetime. SSA collaborates closely with each person, crafting personalized plans to enhance independence, ensure access to vital resources, and foster community inclusion. From navigating educational services to securing employment and accessing healthcare, SSA stands by individuals and their loved ones every step of the way, empowering them to lead fulfilling, enriched lives.

All services offered by the Seneca County Opportunity Center are voluntary.

Call or text (567) 938-2381

Comprehensive Support for School-Aged Children

SSA offers a wide array of services tailored to assist children with disabilities enrolled in school. These services are designed to ensure that each child receives the necessary support to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Service and Support Administrators will:

Develop and implement Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and provide support for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to help meet the unique needs of each child.
Help identify and connect families to speech, occupational, physical, and other therapies to support the child’s developmental and academic progress.
Develop and implement behavior intervention plans to promote positive behaviors in the school environment.
Help people identify and locate assistive devices, technologies, and other resources that can enhance learning and communication.
Help people understand their educational rights.
Advocate for appropriate school services and accommodations.
Offer resources and training for families to effectively support their child’s education and development, including navigating Social Security, Medicaid benefits, and others.

Service and Support Administration Services for School-to-Work Transitions

Transitions can be challenging to navigate, but an SSA can offer the support needed to successfully plan for and make the transition from school to work.

Service and Support Administrators can help you:

Plan for transition and set post-secondary goals as part of your ISP and IEP if requested.
Identify necessary resources and connect with those resources.
Explore career interests, strengths, and potential job opportunities.
Find and secure employment.
Support accessing further education opportunities, such as community college, trade school, or specialized training programs that teach job-specific skills and workplace behaviors, based on each individual’s goals.
Provide resources and training for families to support their child’s transition to employment and independence, including additional future planning.

Service and Support Administration Services for Adults

SSAs are here to help adults with disabilities access the resources they need to enhance their independence, wellbeing, and community involvement across their lifetime.

Service and Support Administrators can help you:

Develop an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) that reflects your personal goals, preferences, and needs.
Coordinate and oversee services, including regular check-ins, reassessments, and adjustments to ensure ongoing alignment with your needs.
Take the necessary steps to develop the skills to live as independently as desired by supporting your efforts to find and maintain employment, secure suitable housing, access healthcare, connect socially, and utilize transportation.
Access life skills training to empower independent living.
Understand rights and navigate legal matters related to disability services, employment, and housing.
Provide resources, training, and support for families to effectively assist their loved ones and promote independence.

If you are interested in any of these adult services, contact your Service and Support Administrator (SSA) to see if you qualify.

Adult Day Program

Adult Day Program or Day Habilitation (Day Hab) is a group setting in which individuals work with staff to help build community connections, proper personal care, and self-advocacy skills based on the individual’s interests and needs. It emphasizes growth and relationships to develop independence.
Vocational Habilitation

Vocational Habilitation, or Voc Hab for short, connects individuals with potential work opportunities and volunteer work. Voc Hab teaches general skills and supports the individual to speak up for themselves, problem-solve, communicate, and organize transportation. This isn’t a long-term option but is used to support someone to get more involved in the community.
Community Employment

Community Employment will identify a person’s interests and create a plan for career exploration and discovery. An individual may have job coaching that ensures success in the position and that the individual is placed is a safe working environment.
Non-Medical Transportation

Non-Medical Transportation is used for traveling to and from anything that doesn’t include medical appointments, such as traveling to and from work, Day Hab or Voc Hab, or a volunteer opportunity. This transportation is measured in three different ways: per mile, per trip, or vehicles that charge a fare.
Money Management

Money Management helps with training on personal finances such as understanding money, paying bills, writing checks, applying/maintaining benefits, and understanding medical insurance papers.

Service and Support Administrator Team:

Bella

Office Cat

Jenn Ridner

Clerical Specialist

Natasha Nichols

Director of Service and Support Administration

Karen Frank

Provider Liaison

Kristin McQuistion

Service and Support Administrator Manager

Michelle Scherely

Service and Support Administrator Manager

Stephanie Coppler

Lead Service and Support Administrator

Jacinda Kemp

Service and Review Coordinator