FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Epic stand for?

  In the distant past, “EPIC” was an acronym for several different phrases. Today it is simply a part of our incorporated name.

• Who does Epic serve?

  Epic provides services to adults with disabilities. We primarily serve those with developmental disabilities but also provide services to those with other disabilities, including physical, emotional, sensory (hearing and visual), learning, and traumatic brain injury.

  Learn more about Epic, including who we serve and what we offer.

• What geographical area does Epic serve?

  Epic serves people in Rice County and the surrounding area.

• What do Epic’s services cost?

  The cost depends on the service area and funding source. Contact us for more information.

• Where does Epic get its funding?

  Most of Epic’s funding comes from government sources, including:

  County waivers:

  • Developmental Disabilities (DD)
  • Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals (CADI)
  • Community Alternative Care (CAC)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Intermediate Care Facility (ICF-DD)

  Vocational Rehabilitation Services/State Services for the Blind

  County funds

  School Transition contracts

  Private pay also is an option for services.

  We appreciate donations from individuals and families. Please donate to Epic to further our mission and support our services.

• Is transportation available?

  Many of our services provide transportation. We also offer assistance in arranging for public transportation. Contact us for more information.

• What kinds of programs does Epic offer?

  Day Training and Habilitation (DT&H) Services

  We offer DT&H services for those with a developmental disability. We provide a wide range of support services, including periodic checks at employment sites, on-site job coach support at a community job, support to work in-house, encouragement to engage in leisure activities like art and music, and support to volunteer and participate in activities in community places.

  Supported Employment Services

  Supported employment services are available for individuals who have funding through waivered services. A variety of long-term services support finding and maintaining individual employment in community locations.

  Vocational Services

  Vocational Services are funded through Vocational Rehabilitation and State Services for the Blind. They include work evaluations, jobs skills training, Discovery, competitive job placement, job coaching, self-employment business planning, and more.

  Transition Services

  We offer services to transition students from high school. Epic will work with students, families, and school districts to individualize the services needed.

• What is customized employment?

  Customized employment is a service that begins with the belief that all people are employable and channels resources accordingly to find the ideal employment situation.

  It involves a supportive network of individuals working together to:

  • Discover the employment seeker’s skills and interests to create a vocational profile
  • Define the ideal conditions for success
  • Discuss with an employer a potential job that fulfills the employment seeker’s ideal conditions, or develop a small business tailored to those same conditions

  To find customized employment, Epic often uses a process called Discovery, which emphasizes working with one person and one employer at a time to create suitable options. The process does not look for readily available or easily-filled jobs or find employment at a single location for a group of individuals with disabilities.

  For more information, contact us.

• How does a person begin receiving Epic’s services?

  An individual who is interested in learning more about services can contact us.  Please note that it is helpful for us to have information on a person’s available funding.

  Epic offers tours or informational meetings and will request written documentation as part of the referral procedure.

  The following should be submitted to Epic to determine eligibility of services for all service areas:

  1. Name of referring agency from whom the individual has been referred
  2. Authorization for purchase of services
  3. Identification of what the person wants and needs
  4. Information pertinent to the disability of the candidate, such as psychological information or physical examination

  Specific service areas within Epic may request further information to determine eligibility.

  Candidates are served on a “first-come first-served” basis. While Epic accepts all referrals, an individual will only be admitted for services after Epic has determined that resources are available or will become available to meet the individual’s needs as identified.

  Acceptance decisions are made by the Executive Director of Epic. If a person who has applied is found ineligible for services, the person, their legal representative/family/support system, and their referral source are informed in writing of the reason for the denial of services. Epic will make recommendations for alternative services that can better meet their needs.