TY: Understanding the Plan, Process, and other options

Who Are We? Service Coordination is a non profit agency funded through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), to provide resource coordination services. Service Coordinators provide assistance in implementing individual choice, addressing individual satisfaction and assuring that the individual’s needs and preferences are addressed. Service Coordinators work with people who are on the waiting list and those currently receiving services funded by the DDA. All individuals we work with are referred to us by the DDA.

The Developmental Disabilities Administration The DDA is The Developmental Disabilities Administration of Maryland. The mission of DDA is to provide leadership to assure the full participation of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in all aspects of community life. Services are eligibility based. The DDA is a Maryland state agency under the auspices of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Service delivery is in 4 regions. Service Coordination, Inc. currently provides services in the Central and Western Regions.

Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative (TY or GTYI) The GTYI was implemented in 1989 to demonstrate that people with disabilities can work and contribute to Maryland’s future after leaving school. GTYI funds can provide Supported Employment or Day Services. Through GTYI the DDA, in collaboration with DORS, has been able to fund Supported Employment and other services for eligible transitioning students who would not have begun receiving DDA services.

Who is Eligible for GTYI? Individuals must meet DD eligibility criteria established by the DDA. Individuals are eligible in the fiscal year following their 21 st birthday. The funding must be initiated between the individual’s 21st and 22nd birthdays.

Determining Eligibility for DDA Services Complete and submit application to the DDA. Eligibility interview completed by the DDA or Resource Coordination agency. Review of documentation verifying disability and age of onset. The DDA makes final determination of eligibility.

Developmentally Disabled Eligible “DD” Eligible Individuals with chronic and severe disabilities, prior to age 22, either intellectual and/or physical, which impair the individual’s ability to live independently. Possible Services include;  Residential or Community Supported Living  Day Habilitation or Vocational Support-GTYI  Supported Employment-GTYI  Individual and Family Supports

Supports Only-Eligible “SO” or “ISS” Eligible Individuals who are SO Eligible are not eligible for the GTYI. Individuals with skills which enable them to live more independently, or those whose disabilities occur after the age of 22. Possible Services include, but are not limited to the following:  Outreach  Respite  Financial Assistance  Case Management  Skills Training

Transition Timeline Before age 18- Apply for DORS and DDA Age 18- Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medical Assistance (MA) Age 19- Invite Service Coordinator to your IEP, Explore post-secondary options Age 20- Invite Service Coordinator to your IEP, attend your local Transition event, contact, interview, and choose your provider, connect with Service Coordinator to develop Person Centered Plan, choose path for post-secondary services, make appropriate applications Age21-Follow your plan

Age 20/Final School Year August Provide SC with current IEP, psychological, assessments, teacher notes, and medical documentation. September Invite SC to IEP meeting October Attend local transition fair, interview and visit providers November/December Choose a provider and notify your SC January Complete provider application and provide them with necessary documentation

Age 20/Final School Year continued February RELAX March/April Review and sign Service Funding Plan and Waiver Application June GRADUATION! Inquire about start date July Begin Services August Attend 30 day Individual Planning Meeting to determine your goals

Person Centered Plan The plan is based on individuals’ preferences, desires and needs. Person Centered Planning looks at long term as well as immediate goals. Focuses on: Home, School, Money, Leisure, Relationships, Medical, and Work Different from IEP Person Centered Plan includes all areas of a person’s life, not just those related to education.

DDA Services available through the GTYI Supported employment (SEP) services are community-based services that provide the supports necessary for individuals to obtain and maintain work in the community, which may include job skills training, job development, vocational assessment, and ongoing job coaching support. Day services are facility-based services that may provide work skills training and other support within a day program environment.

DDA Waivers Medical Assistance eligibility enables an individual to participate in a DDA Waiver. Participation in a DDA Waiver enables DDA to recoup 50% of the cost of services from the federal government. All GTYI individuals MUST complete a Medical Assistance application. Individual must be DD eligible Community Pathways or New Directions

Community Pathways and New Directions Waivers Community Pathways Waiver Day Services, Supported Employment, Residential Services, Individual Support Services provided in a traditional setting through a DDA provider. New Directions Waiver Began in July 2005 as a unique creative approach to allow individuals/families to direct their own services based on their needs. The Individual and their family develop a budget and supervise their own services.

How do Service Coordinators Assist in the GTYI Process? Work with families to explain GTYI process. Ensure individuals identify their DDA provider of choice. Provide information to DDA to obtain the individualized funding needed. Assist family with understanding the Service Funding Plan presented by DDA provider. Follow individual at the start of services. Maintain long term relationship with individual and family to monitor service delivery and also connect the individual with community resources and activities of their interest.

What to Expect from your Service Coordinator Walk with you through Transition Process Assist with connections to services designed to meet individuals preferences, desires and needs Assist with Self Advocacy Ensure services received are satisfactory

Contact Us Service Coordination, Inc Spectrum Drive Suite I Frederick, Maryland Phone Fax