Implementing State and Local SOAR Initiatives

Implementing SOAR Initiatives

Identify and engage agencies and community partners to participate in your SOAR initiative. Educate and inform them about the purpose and benefits of SOAR for individuals with disabilities.
Offer SOAR Orientation presentations for agency leadership and direct service providers.
Attend existing community meetings and share information about the importance of SOAR.

Identify programs that are currently assisting adults, children, and families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness with Social Security disability applications. Explore reallocation of existing resources to incorporate fully or partially dedicated SOAR benefits specialists.
Identify staff to complete the SOAR Online Course: Adult and/or Child Curriculum. Provide guidance throughout and following the training. Inform trainees of any state/local-specific processes.
Establish quality review procedures to assess fidelity to the SOAR model and ensure that applications are complete and high quality. Get feedback from SSA/DDS on SOAR-assisted applications they are receiving.

Social Security Administration (SSA) and Disability Determination Services (DDS): Negotiate a SOAR Process for adult SSI/SSDI and child SSI application submission. Identify SSA/DDS SOAR liaisons in local offices.
Medical Providers: Identify medical providers who can provide physical/psychiatric evaluations and co-sign Medical Summary Reports. Explore using retroactive Medicaid to reimburse for medical evaluations. Set up a process to obtain medical records, free of charge if possible.
Other Collaborations: Think broadly! Include school administrators, vocational service providers, housing agencies, jails/prisons, Veteran services, and representative payee services.

Establish procedures for the reporting of outcomes by communities and SOAR-trained staff.
Report outcomes to the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center as requested.

Use your outcomes to expand or sustain your SOAR initiative.
Educate community partners, influential leaders, and potential funders about the impact SOAR has in your state. Share success stories; report on cost savings (reimbursement/recoupment totals).
Explore various funding sources. Consider use of federal funds (e.g. PATH, CABHI, Systems of Care); pool and/or realign existing resources; explore local foundations, United Way, corporations, and hospital collaborations; and investigate criminal or juvenile justice funding to implement SOAR in jails, prisons, or detention facilities.