1. By Laura McKenzie November 2014

2. FEE FOR SERVICE – July 01, 2013 More accountability for resource coordination services rendered. Restructuring to accommodate the new demands of documentation and fee structure led to less accessibility

3. What are units? – One unit = 8-22 minutes (Activities: Emails, Phone Calls, Faxes, Face to Face Visits, Documentation) Assigned Categories for Clients Waitlist Categories: Current Request Crisis Prevention Crisis Resolution In Services: Community Coordination Units Available per Category - 60 - 112 - 168 - 212 MORE UNITS CAN BE REQUESTED BUT THERE’S NOT AN ENDLESS SUPPLY

4. Which Transitioning Youth does FFS affect the most? Students needing residential services Students with especially challenging behaviors Students who are medically fragile

5. Make the most of the units available : Travel together for tours Schedule phone conversations Complete provider applications Have as much information prepared on your child as possible Ask how you can be helpful

6. Still not getting the help you need? Parent contacted me saying the RC stated she was unavailable for tours and she also had no suggestions for providers outside of her county of origin. What is a parent to do? Parent was blind sided by a school system’s announcement that they would not be paying for an additional year as promised leaving her to locate a day and residential provider in three months. Her son was especially low functioning and needed 1:1 support. The RC was communicative and helpful at first but then all of a sudden stopped responding via email explaining she was busy and that she was out of units and would need to keep her contacts brief via email since from this point forward she wouldn’t be getting paid for services rendered. What is a parent to do? Parent of a student who graduates next year - My son’s resource coordinator has refused to give me a list of providers. She says I have to wait until his exit year to get it. What is a parent to do?

7. Transition Coordinator – Filling the resource coordination service gap Providing provider specific information - DDA HomepageDDA Homepage Guidance on what to ask a provider – Residential services: Guide for Choosing a Residential Service Provider for Individuals with Developmental DisabilitiesGuide for Choosing a Residential Service Provider for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Day and Residential Services: Finding Developmental Disabilities Services for Your Loved One: Help in Navigating Ohio's MazeFinding Developmental Disabilities Services for Your Loved One: Help in Navigating Ohio's Maze Taking tours with families Communicating directly with the Resource Coordinator/Provider Assisting with completing applications

8. Meeting the need not stepping on toes Understand the division of responsibility Make sure everyone is connected Communicate your concerns and any steps you have taken towards finding a provider Communicate frequently – weekly, monthly, as needed. Send updates in a team format when possible Ask for contact information for the level above

9. Know the timeline 18 years old Consider guardianship options and make a decision SSI DDA – Is your child on the waitlist? Do you have a resource coordinator? Two years before exit Start researching providers For students needing residential, is DSS involved? Summer before Exit Year Working on applications May need to start earlier if you know the provider is in high demand December of Exit Year Ideally, have a provider chosen but at least have three legitimate options set for after graduation Around February of Exit Year Waiver paperwork must be signed and submitted

10. Know the services – Medicaid Waiver funded Transitioning Youth Services Supported Employment Employment Discovery and Customization Day Habilitation Community Learning Services Services that require additional approval Residential Community Supported Living Arrangements (CSLA) Individual Support Services (ISS)

11. Know your rights You can choose your resource coordination provider Be informed – Attend meetings as much as possible whether through your local school system, DDA, or a provider. Family Education Series - ARCFamily Education Series - ARC Share information

12. References Finding developmental disabilities services for your loved one: Helping in navigating Ohio's maze. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2014, from https://doddportal.dodd.ohio.gov/Documents/handbook- developmentaldisabilities.pdf https://doddportal.dodd.ohio.gov/Documents/handbook- developmentaldisabilities.pdf Guide for choosing residential service provider for individuals with developmental disabilities. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2014, from http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd_regulations_guidance/guidance_documen ts/guide_for_choosing_a_residential_service_provider_for_individuals_with_ developmental_disabilities http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd_regulations_guidance/guidance_documen ts/guide_for_choosing_a_residential_service_provider_for_individuals_with_ developmental_disabilities Overview of DDA. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2014, from http://dda.dhmh.maryland.gov/SitePages/Home.aspx http://dda.dhmh.maryland.gov/SitePages/Home.aspx Parent Support and Education. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2014, from http://www.thearcbaltimore.org/family_workshops.html http://www.thearcbaltimore.org/family_workshops.html