Peglem, funding idea...applies to AZ, TN, Canada and soon IL

[milivica]

So Peg, were you're ears burning tonight cause I was talking about you.

Ok, hopefully you or someone will know more about how this works.

There are things called 'Co-ops' that you can get funding from for your disabled family member for what ever you want.

It works something like this...

Allie = disabled person who will get $$$ from the state of AZ

MicroBoard = Three people that form an agency that decide what Allie needs, who to hire, what to pay, etc...

The best part is - the MicroBoard can be any three people, so, would be you and your dh and who ever you decide the third person is like your mom. So, YOU and your DH (and a third person you choose) being the agency, can decide to pay the RDI consultant her fee, basically. I have no idea what caps if any are on these funds. That might be decided by the Co-op???

Co-op = all the various MicroBoards in AZ

Your Co-op is in Phoenix, you have to join it and create your own MicroBoard. I do not know how you do that. I barely was able to remember as much as I wrote.

My RDI consultant might be able to actually give you the names of the two women that can hook you up with this. A program like this is starting in IL or rather some folks in Illinois are trying to get it started. It already exists in AZ as well as TN and Canada.

Let me know if you, or if anyone reading this, knows more about it. I'm in WI so know nothing about it. I believe my consultant said you have to find and join either the Co-op or find and join the list or forum of MicroBoards. Well, it's in Phoenix anyhow.

Also, she warned not all RDI consultants accept this - that didn't make sense to me so maybe I heard it wrong. So please check first with the consultant you liked in your area for starters. If that doesn't work, then email my consultant if you need more info.

Hope this helps you!
Mili

[peglem]

Well, anything that might get the funding I need for Allie would be great, but I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about other than that! If I form one of these coop thingys- then where does the $$$ come from? State pays money to coop? For what? Huh? I'm all confused.

[milivica]

Also, I think she said you have to complete PLAN, which (unless I'm confusing two things we spoke about, AZ funding and PLAN) is basically a 20 year plan for Allie, and how you propose she get there step by step - what you need the funding for and the projected outcome of her getting the funds maybe.

So look up PLAN too.

Again, start with asking the consultant you already spoke to. If that doesn't help, email my consultant. She actually met with the two women (who created, or are a part of) the Phoenix Co-op. So it's not this invisible bureaucratic machine. It's actually these two women who she met with and they explained it all to her - I'm guessing cause IL wants to start it and she's in IL.

There is also the same exact Co-op for Hispanic folks. So, if you are Hispanic or your dh is, or anyone reading this is I just thought I'd say that too. No way my spanish is good enough to explain all this in spanish, or I would. Maybe Isabelle can do the honors!

[Isabelle]

we were told to create a miniboard or microboard as a sort of business for the sake of my son, the microboard discusses a sort of a plan of care, meetings can be done as often as needed to see progress/to do report progress, recruit more volunteers, if got funds to hire workers trained and with affinity to my son's personality. in the plan to be presented to the ministry is included the cost of running the "program". To get funds get ready the plan with detail, dollar numbers in it, fill out an application for individual support.... and good luck !!!

read
http://microboard.org/Links.htm

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

WOW!

This sounds pretty promising, but likely a lot of work. I bet those people in charge of the co-op could offer a lot of direction...AND I bet this would open up funding for a lot more thing besides RDI!!!!!

OH PEGS!!! I've got everything crossed for you...please call these people today and post back...anything that I can do to help, please let me know!!!

Phone calls, spreadsheets, anything....

KJ

[milivica]

Peglem,

Here is the Co-Op in AZ
Federated Human Service Cooperative
602-404-7334
Web: federatedhsc.coop

Find out how it works, sounds like the money is accessible, you just have to go through the process. Couldn't possibly be more work than doing what you're doing now, couldn't be harder than seeing Allie go through what she's going through now. That's how I think about things, when new things seem like work. Having things stay like they are now forever, is way more work than anything else could be.

[peglem]

Thanks- that was very helpful. I called and talked to a lady about it and I think I'm a bit clearer on it. This is what I got.

What we would have to do as a co-op is essentially become a provider agency with the state of Arizona, with only 1 client. Then, we would generate income by paying our workers less than the state compensation rate and spend the difference on RDI. BUT, we still could only get the state to fund services on the DDD provider list. So, I'd basically have access to the same services that I have now, only I'd have to do the job of my state caseworker as well.

What she suggested is that I talk to this guy who founded a coop of families specifically for ABA for autistic children. (No, I KNOW ABA is different than RDI!) But, he may be able to help me find a way around the funding thing. The woman at the other agency (the link Mili gave) said that the state pays more for ABA than they do for habilitation, so, maybe I could become ABA certified & the state would then pay me to be Allie's ABA therapist and I could use that money (which is now private income) to hire a consultant. Sure is a lot of bullhocky!

[milivica]

Hmmm, it sure seems 'tangled'. I just hope you get somewhere with this, honest you know I'd never send you on a wild goose chase. I think your ABA idea is really pretty cool actually, if you get paid to 'ABA' her, you could use that money to pay for RDI. Tricky! But not as tricky as the freakin system that does all it can to keep kids from services. At least that's what it seems like.

[peglem]

Not to keep kids from services, but to limit those services to state approved. I can kinda see this. If state funding is used, they want to make sure services are secured that are legitimate. So the system was created to eliminate the state paying for "dubious" treatment like dancing naked with a pineapple on your head. (which I know has not been PROVEN ineffective! They're still waiting for the data to come back on that one) The problem here is that neither of the consultants in AZ has applied to be legitimized by the state. I know its a hassle to do that...and they must have enough private pay clientel that they don't need state funds. I know before ABA was sanctioned by the powers that be..(uh, everyone?) ABA workers were hired as habilitation providers- they just used ABA as the method of teaching the skills. But, with RDI, I would essentially be the provider, which would be ok, except I would have to work for an agency that is state licensed. Now, what I'm wondering is..First of all I thought that parents were not allowed to be paid providers for their own children (which I think is rediculous since foster parents can be paid) and can RDI be written up so it can qualify as ABA for the state? I mean, I don't want to spend all those hours actually DOING ABA- there'd be no time left for RDI. Well, we'll see.

RDIconnections center has worked so hard creating this program, I hope they are equally committed to equal access.

Another thing I wondered about is getting a corporate sponsor, but I have NO idea how to go about that and I'll bet most companies would rather support an organization than an individual. That's what I've found from looking at grant programs. Grants to individuals are typically from $100 to $500, but they are few and far between even at that.

About that wild goose chase...how hard is it to catch a wild goose? Does the goose have to be licensed in the state of AZ? What kind of documentation has to be submitted by: 1) The actual goose 2) the goose' attorney 3) the goose chaser and 4) the goose chaser's attorney? Where is the website with broken links that can sort of give me some foggy nonspecific info about the chase. And what is their mission statment really supposed to mean?

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

:(

But I'm glad you have a sense of humor about it! Gave me a good chuckle!!!

I still wonder if RDI Connections, or someone at their foundation couldn't help you...They've had to run across crap like this before, don't you think?

BTW - did you try posting to their group to see if there was someone outside the state that was licensed in the state?

[milivica]

This whole 'system' is almost as confusing as autism itself.

I'm trying to give avenues to you, but feel like I'm sending you on a wild goose chase while naked and balancing a pineapple on your head (can't believe you remember that stuff, hee hee).

I know there's a way for Allie to get RDI funded, I don't know what it is. I'll keep asking, and keep my ears open. Autism treatment is medical, it's beyond anything I can understand that so many kids and adults are denied the same basic enjoyment as their nt peers, especially for money reasons that do not prohibit other medical conditions from being treated.

It's one thing if it's not known what to do, but that's not the case today. Certainly for some, that is so weather asd or nt, there will always be unanswered untreated medical issues despite all the best attempts.

What exactly can Allie get in AZ?

[peglem]

What exactly can Allie get in AZ?

Well, I could get enough respite care that between school and respite, I'd only have to see her when she's asleep. I can get habilitation and attendant care. I can get ABA and all her medical is paid for (above what private insurance will pay). I can get music therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy. Basically I can get absolutely ANYTHING offered by someone with state licensing.

Allie used to get LOTS of out of school therapy. When she started going to school full days- it was just too much and as therapists begin leaving her- we chose to discontinue. (we've maintained eligibility on her ISP just in case). Before I quit my job we did try to get an habilitation person to come in the mornings to get Allie ready for school...I got tired of interviewing people who clearly were not suitable and never found anyone that was. Speech therapy: besides what she gets in school she really needs someone who knows how to work with apraxia and her com device. Even the therapists who are not that qualified have a humongo waiting list. So, the only thing I really NEED is RDI- I don't even use the other stuff (okay-medical). But, no, no...the thing I need is not on the list of approved vendors. I'd also like to get some sort of recreational stuff for her- but she can't do it until the RDI stuff happens so she can handle it.

[milivica]

Got it.

So, then I'm guessing BOTH of the consultants there are not licensed.

Will AZ, pay for RDI consultants that are licensed in other states, like my state does?

[peglem]

Nope. It only pays for AZ licensed anything.

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

What about an SLP...

Can you find an SLP that is trained in RDI?

I still think there MUST be some type of therapist that operates in another state, but that is also licensed in AZ...

I know New England is much smaller, but it's common for people to cross over from MA into RI, or from NH into MA, CT into NY, etc. for services.

Because that happens the Drs must all be licensed and enrolled with all the insurances and public assistances from the various states. I imagine that must happen at least around the borders of the larger states too. Don't you think?????

And with all those services that she is eligible for, do you think that somewhere in there that there might be a therapist that is in training with RDI right now?