A good support coordinator will facilitate your involvement in your planning process and will listen to your desired outcomes. They will be able to find resources that are available for you and your family.
Once you have been approved for services, you will be given the opportunity to select a Support Coordination Agency or be auto-assigned by DDD. Families can also arrange'meet and greet' interviews with agencies to compare the services they offer.
What is Support Coordination?
Those in the NOW and COMP waiver programs who register for support coordination near me services will work with an individual to develop quality person centered plans, complete required paperwork and ensure that plan revisions are completed. They will also link individuals to community and state services, including behavioral management, habilitative services, respite, financial management and more.
Support coordinators can be either independent (solo) providers or employed by an agency that is approved to provide this service. They must have a bachelor’s degree in developmental disabilities, special education, counseling, guidance or social work and have two years of professional experience.
When choosing a Support Coordination provider, you are encouraged to review a list of agencies that serve your county, and then contact them before submitting your selection form. DDD will then assign you to the agency you have chosen if they are prepared to serve your needs. If they are not, DDD will reassign you to another provider.
Who is a Support Coordinator?
A Support Coordinator is the person who manages an individual's independent care management. They work with a person to develop and review their annual individualized service plan. They also meet in-person or remotely (by phone) with the person at least once a month to monitor their health and wellbeing, making sure that the services in their plan are meeting their needs.
A good Support Coordinator will be honest with participants about what can reasonably be achieved under their funding allocation, which may help to avoid unrealistic expectations. They will be proactive about helping people develop their own informal or paid support network, and they will make sure that they have up to date, unbiased knowledge of available community resources.
They will also link participants to broader community and government support options, assist them to identify and consider their options, and where possible and practical create a supports and action plan for implementation. They will also help them to resolve points of crisis and build capacity and resilience in their support networks.
How do I find a Support Coordinator?
The best support coordinators are strong communicators – both verbally and in writing – with excellent time-management skills. They will be able to clearly explain complex concepts to you and actively listen to you. They will keep up to date with policy changes and service provider offerings, so that they can provide you with timely information and guidance.
A specialist support coordinator will focus on building your ability to connect with informal, community and funded supports enabling you to pursue your goals. They will also help you manage your support delivery and increase your capacity to maintain relationships, live more independently and feel included in the community.
Be wary of a support coordinator who is trying to do too much for you, or is only focused on meeting NDIA requirements. They may not be able to continue to meet your needs after your Plan Review, or they might not be able to find the right people to support you in the future.
How do I choose a Support Coordinator?
Participants work one on one with a Support Coordinator who becomes an integral part of the participant’s team. It is important that they have knowledge of the local area, are willing to go above and beyond for their participants, understand their individual needs, desired outcomes and how best to achieve them.
A good Support Coordinator is reliable, flexible and a strong communicator. They are willing to work outside the box when necessary and are not afraid to ask questions. They also understand that situations change and will adjust their priorities accordingly.
It is recommended that a prospective ndis support coordination near me agency is interviewed before signing a contract. It is also worth checking the NDIS price guide to see how much a service coordinator charges for their services. It is also important to ensure that they do not have a conflict of interest as this could impact the recommendations they make for participants.
