Having a developmental disability or being a parent of a child with a developmental disability can present many challenges as you try to navigate the complex medical, educational and government services systems. Advocates provides assistance through our Medicaid Service Coordination program. Our trained Medicaid Service Coordination professionals work with the individual and their family to assist them in qualifying for developmental disability services and planning for the services that they will need to lead fully inclusive lives in our community. We work with children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. We empower people to understand system resources, qualify for services and plan for the future. MSCs develop an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) to identify the specific goals of each individual, then serves as a “life coach” in helping the individual and family to achieve these goals.

As a Fiscal Management Service (FMS), Advocates supports individuals interested in Self-Determination by providing the fiscal administration of their services. This includes managing the paperwork and tasks involved in recruiting and hiring staff, administering employee payroll, budget reporting and Medicaid billing. Fiscal Management Service by Advocates ensures that Self-Determination plans continue to operate and to serve individuals who have chosen to self-direct their own services.

Agency with Choice (AWC) is a hybrid of CSS/Self-Determination services. Some AWC’s may offer services that are more traditional, others may offer services that are based on the Self-Determination model. Advocates has created an innovative new service called MyChoice. It is based on the principles of Self-Determination and provides a blend of additional services and options. MyChoice is designed to supplement the supports that are missing from a pure Self-Determination model, such as shared activities based on common interests, creative networking with peers and assistance with scheduling staff. It allows the participant to pick the best of Self-Determination and traditional agency services.

An Advocates Enhanced Support Broker will work with you and your family to manage your customized plan on an on-going basis. It is a collaborative model whereby you, your family and your Circle of Support will work as a team with Advocates to schedule, hire, train and supervise your staff. An Enhanced Support Broker will help you to identify resources, schedule shared/split staff, find community integration opportunities, network with peers and help you manage all of the paperwork.

Through a program funded by the New York State OMRDD, Advocates provides funding for families to assist with the financial challenges that supporting an individual with a developmental disability can pose. Advocates has provided funding for families for respite (care for an individual in their home or in the community), therapeutic recreational activities, summer camps, specialized adaptive equipment, home modifications and emergency services.

Advocates believes that individuals and their families must know their services options including traditional services, Self-Determination and other offerings.  Informed consumers make good decisions. Advocates has a long history of providing information, training and education to individuals on the service systems through our Family Support Services Training Grant and our Family Education and Training Waiver service. We offer trainings on a variety of topics that are of interest to our community of individuals and families on topics such as Navigating the System of Developmental Disability Services, Educational Advocacy, Facilitated Communication, Sensory Integration, Guardianship, Benefits and SSI, Transition Planning and Housing and Supportive Living Options.

The Self-Determination process begins with the support of a Start-up Broker, who works with the individual, their family and their Circle of Support to create a person-centered plan. Person-centered planning is the foundation from which the Self-Determination/CSS plan is created. Once the individualized Consolidated Supports and Services (CSS) plan is approved, a Support Broker works with the individual and their Circle in the management of their CSS plan and budget and provides assistance with staff management.  In the MyChoice model, an Enhanced Support Broker provides additional supports in order to create further opportunities for individuals and to support families in the their responsibilities of managing the CSS budget, paperwork and staff scheduling.