♫ guitar music ♫
TINA: This is the 3D origami swan I made.
It takes a lot of work but,
once you get it, it gets easier.
I started my 3D origami at the state hospital
and that's how I got into to making 3D origami
and I really enjoy doing it.
My name is Tina Whiteface
and I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
♫ music continues ♫
TINA: I went to foster care
and then I had to go to treatment
when I was 13.
I was in and out of the state hospital
when I was a teenager.
Then I did something bad so I had to go to jail.
Then when I was 24 I went back to the state hospital
and then got out when I was 29.
Without the Medicaid waiver I'd probably be homeless.
I don't want to be homeless, that's scary.
♫ ♫ ♫
TEHLA: My name's Tehla Bates Stayer,
I'm a case manager at Treasure Abilities.
If an individual is released from jail
and they are not released with the supports
to help them be successful,
the chances of them re-offending are much higher.
The Medicaid waiver provides in-home services,
in-the-community services, employment services,
to individuals with disabilities and brain injuries.
The Medicaid waiver definitely prevents
individuals who are released from prison
from re-offending and returning to prison
or going to the state hospital.
Institutions aren't healthy,
they're not safe, they're not fun, and ---
- so, we of course want to avoid those
at all costs.
JUSTIN: My name is Justin Nugpe Senior
and I am from Cheyenne, Wyoming.
I was in prison since 2003 till 2011.
I was very worried 'cause I was scared
that I wouldn't be able to do things on my own
and I was afraid that I may go back to prison.
I was real happy to learn about the Medicaid waiver
because I knew that I would be getting out
and going into a program
and having the support system that I needed.
We had staff 24 hours a day.
They gave us our medications
and took us out into the community
and showed us how to do things on our own.
Here is my omelet.
I feel like if the Medicaid waiver wasn't around
that I would end up back in prison.
TINA: It helps people who want to be independent
and I like to be independent.
They have counseling, they have therapy
to help people that really, really need help.
I have a job and they sell, like, electronics
and like, clothes, jewelry.
Sometimes I'll do my 3D origami
and I'll sell it there.
♫ ♫ ♫
My plan for the future is to be able to be independent
you know, like living on my own
but still have the support people there.
JUSTIN: My plan for the future
is to become more independent
where I can get my own place to live
and continue working.
♫ ♫ ♫
TEHLA: We want the individuals that we serve
to be happy, to be healthy, to be successful.
I feel like that's important across the board
in the whole United States.
JUSTIN: The Medicaid waiver is important because
it helps me with my housing.
It helps me with my day program
and it helps me with ---
I guess the biggest one is being able to live on my own
and be more responsible.