• New Core Curriculum
  
• New HCBS Waiver Services
  
• Personal Allowance
  
• Year 2001 Benefit Levels
  
• Home of Your Own
  
• Supplemental Needs Trust Funds
  
• Training for Self Advocates

As we approach the first anniversary of OMRDD's Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) program on March 1, 2001, it's a good time to look back on the past year to determine what we have accomplished. Was the implementation of MSC successful? What lessons have we learned? Are there any areas of MSC that require further refinement? Has there been any change in the quality of service coordination since MSC was implemented?

On March 1, 2000, OMRDD began operating a new statewide service coordination program for people with developmental disabilities. This new program, MSC, was a product of a Commissioner's Task Force charged with consolidating Home and Community Based Services Waiver service coordination and Comprehensive Medicaid Case Management into a single, person centered program focusing on enhanced quality and consumer satisfaction.

Prior to the implementation of MSC, OMRDD conducted a series of trainings for more than 400 agencies that contracted with their local DDSO(s) to provide MSC. All 400 plus "MSC vendors" also received a comprehensive Medicaid Service Coordination Vendor Manual that detailed the specific operational and administrative procedures necessary to operate the new program.

Shortly, several copies of a revised Vendor Manual will be sent to all MSC vendors and DDSOs. This revised manual: provides information on additional training requirements for service coordination supervisors; specifies the policies for the provision of MSC to children enrolled in the Department of Health's Early Intervention program; and, updates information on the two new HCBS Waiver services that were implemented on June 1, 2000, Family Education and Training and Plan of Care Support Services.

This past October, OMRDD conducted a series of focus groups in five locations across the state to obtain feedback from consumers, families and service coordinators on the implementation of MSC. The general topics discussed at each of these sessions were: Training - Do consumers feel that their service coordinator is sufficiently trained? Is there enough training available to meet the MSC training requirements? Face-to-Face Meetings - Do consumers and families accept the requirement for a monthly face-to-face visit and/or the quarterly in-home visit? What is discussed during these visits? Choice - Do consumers have a choice of agency and service coordinator?; Paperwork - How involved are consumers and families in the development of the Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and Service Coordination Agreement (SCA)? Has the SCA more clearly defined the role of the service coordinator? Does the Service Coordination Observation Report (SCOR) help identify health and safety issues? Conflict of Interest- Do consumers feel their service coordinator's responsibility to work on their behalf is ever in conflict with what other service providers want them to do? Caseload/Workload- Do service coordinators have enough time to provide the necessary level of assistance needed by consumers? and, Quality- Do consumers, family members and service coordinators feel there has been any change in the quality of service coordination since MSC was implemented on March 1, 2000?

Consumers, family members, and service coordinators all agreed that it was too soon to determine if MSC produced a higher quality service than previous service coordination programs. The program needs more time to be up and running before changes in quality could be recognized. Service coordinators had high praise for the trainings offered through the OMRDD Workforce Development Catalog. Plans are underway to increase the number of local trainers available to teach the required modules.

An implementation committee composed of consumer, family, and provider representatives, along with OMRDD staff from central office and DDSOs, meets on a continuing basis to oversee the MSC program The focus groups produced a great deal of useful feedback from both consumers and vendors on various aspects of the program, and the committee will be considering comments from the participants in on-going quality improvement efforts.

For additional information on MSC, contact Harvey Gingold, OMRDD, a (518) 474-4904, or by e-mail at Harvey.Gingold@omr.state.ny.us.

ATTENTION ALL MSC VENDORS
Beginning 3/1/01, all staff providing direct supervision to MSC service coordinators will be required to attend 15 hours of professional development annually. This professional development may include lectures, workshops, and other training session conducted by 0MRDD or other agencies, educational institutions, or generic community organizations. Attendance at these trainings must be documented in the supervisor's MSC Training Record. Supervisors are not required to attend the required modules which service coordinators must attend. Additional information on this topic will be included in the new version of the MSC Vendor Manual, which will be sent to you soon.

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NEW Core Service Coordination Curriculum Developed By Harvey Gingold, OMRDD

0ne of the new training requirements within the Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) program is that both service coordinators and service coordination supervisors must attend the OMRDD Core service coordination training. Previously, only service coordinators were required to attend the Core. The intent of this new requirement is to ensure that all direct, first-line supervisors are aware of the same philosophical and clinical material that is being presented to service coordinators. This is especially important for service coordination supervisors who carry a caseload on either a full-time or part-time basis.

OMRDD's Core service coordination curriculum was last revised in 1996. Since that time, there have been changes in the philosophical concepts related to the provision of service coordination. Additionally, over the past few years, new programmatic and fiscal options have become available to people with developmental disabilities. Therefore, in conjunction with the March 1, 2000 implementation of MSC, the members of the Commissioner's Task Force on Service Coordination recommended that OMRDD's Core service coordination training be updated to reflect these new "best practices."

Based on input from many experienced DDSO and provider agency Core trainers, a group of OMRDD Central Office staff designed the content and layout of the Core curriculum, including adding more detailed information on the "nuts and bolts" of service coordination.

After the first draft of the new Core curriculum was completed, a small group of experienced Core trainers was invited to Albany for two days to refine the initial draft and develop a final version of both the Core Trainer's Manual and the Core Participant's Manual. Both of these manuals needed to be ready to be used at the three regional Core train-the-trainer sessions conducted in May 2000.

More than 100 experienced and new Core trainers attended the three regional train-the-trainer sessions conducted in New York City, Albany, and Rochester. Additionally, a number of self advocates attended these sessions as a new unit on self advocacy in the Core curriculum is being presented by self advocates. The addition of self advocates to local training teams was seen as something that was long overdue, and was strongly supported by those DDSO and provider agency staff who attended the three training sessions.

The new, two-day Core Curriculum is divided into eight units:

Unit I - Overview of Developmental Disabilities and History of Services. This unit: explains the mission and structure of OMRDD; describes the role of voluntary agencies in the delivery of supports and services; presents the characteristics of people with developmental disabilities and society's method of care and treatment; and offers a description of the Individualized Service Environment and the basic services and supports in New York State for people with developmental disabilities.

Unit 2 - Framework of Service Coordination.This unit: introduces the three products of service coordination: describes the major responsibilities of service coordinators; highlights the eight significant aspects of service coordination; and, introduces service coordinators to their responsibilities to the system.

Unit 3 - Values, Informed Choice, Responsibility and Risk.This unit: teaches service coordinators how to identify the basic elements and core values critical to quality of life; and, describes the concepts of choice, the basics of responsibility and risk management.

Unit 4 - Self Advocacy.This unit, which is presented by local self advocates, provides service coordinators with a better understanding of the life experiences and the role of self advocates. It also presents information on the relationship that self advocates prefer with their service coordinator.

Unit 5 - Inclusion.This unit: distinguishes the difference between inclusion and integration; presents the concept of belonging to a community; and familiarizes service coordinators with the pathways to inclusion and strategies for community building.

Unit 6 - Introduction to Person Centered Planning. This unit: reinforces the importance of building on a person's strengths and capacities; teaches the basic features of a person centered approach; provides the steps in implementing a person centered approach; and identifies the main characteristics of a person centered meeting.

Unit 7 - Assembling the Individualized Service Plan( ISP), This unit: instructs service coordinators on planning for and assembling an ISP; identifies the various components of an ISP; and explains the process for reviewing and updating an ISP.

Unit 8 - Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC). This unit: presents the principal operational components of MSC; describes the major responsibilities of an MSC service coordinator, and provides instructions for the completion of the Service Coordination Agreement and Service Coordination Observation Report.

Additional information on the Core curriculum and the schedule of upcoming Core trainings can be obtained by contacting the Staff Development Office of your local DDSO.

For additional information, contact Harvey Gingold, OMRDD at (518) 474-4904 or by e-mail at Harvey. Gingold@omr.state.ny.us.

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Two New HCBS Waiver Services: Family Education and Training Plan of Care Support Services by Esther Callaghan, OMRDD

Family Education and Training (FET) and Plan of Care Support Services (PCSS) are two new Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver services that became effective June 1, 2000.

1. Family Education and Training

What is Family Education and Training?
FET provides education and training to care givers of children under the age of 18 who are enrolled in the HCBS Waiver. The purpose is to enhance the family's knowledge, skills, and decision making capacity to help them care for a child with developmental disabilities. The focus is to provide information, not a direct service.

Why should service coordinators know about Family Education and Training?
In order to maintain the child's HCBS Waiver eligibility, each child must receive at least one waiver service in any 12 month period. Prior to 3/1/00, the only waiver service some children received was Waiver Service Coordination. On 3/1/00, service coordination was no longer a service available through the HCBS Waiver. Thus, some children enrolled in the waiver were no longer receiving a waiver service. FET is a waiver service option for these families that will allow continued HCBS Waiver eligibility.

What topics can be offered?
A broad array of topics can be provided based on the needs and wishes of the caregivers. General topics max include, but are not limited to: family life, the education system health and personal care, and OMRDD services. More specific topics might include, but are not limited to: coping with grief and loss, information regarding specific disabilities, sibling issues and accessing mental health care.

Who can provide FET?
FET can be provided by OMRDD or a voluntary not-for-profit provider with an HCBS Waiver Provider Agreement to provide FET and authorization to provide Medicaid Service Coordination. OMRDD or voluntary agency staff (or non-agency experts on contract to authorized agencies) should be recognized experts in their fields and possess the appropriate credentials which are deemed satisfactory to the DDSO.

Can a family choose the FET provider?
As with all waiver services, families have a choice of FET sessions and providers. The local DDSO should be contacted for a list of eligible providers in the area.

How often can FET be provided?
Care givers of children enrolled in the HCBS Waiver can attend a maximum of two, 2-hour sessions in a 12 month period. The agency providing FET bills Medicaid for each 2-hour session a family attends regardless of the number of family members that go to each session.

Where can FET be provided?
FET can be provided to one family or in groups of no more than eight families. Sessions can occur at any location including a family home.

How do you apply for FET?
Once a family has decided to apply for FET, the service coordinator contacts the local DDSO.

2. Plan of Care Support Services

Who receives PCSS?
PCSS is required for people who are enrolled in the HCBS Waiver and whose decision not to receive Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) is approved by the DDSO. During the first three months of waiver enrollment, the person must receive MSC to develop and implement his or her Individualized Service Plan (ISP). After this three month period, the person can apply to the DDSO to withdraw from MSC. If this application is approved by the DDSO, the person must receive PCSS. A person receiving PCSS cannot be enrolled in any other Medicaid funded service coordination program.

What is the purpose of PCSS?
The purpose of PCSS is to provide two essential services usually performed by a service coordinator that will allow the person to maintain his or her eligibility for the HCBS Waiver: 1) reviewing and updating the Individualized Service Plan twice a year, and 2) coordinating the completion of the annual ICF/MR Level of Care Eligibility Determination Form. PCSS is a limited, task specific service that is not on-going in nature. it is not service coordination.

Why should service coordinators know about this service?
A consumer or family's decision to no longer receive service coordination must be an informed choice. Service coordinators should inform waiver participants who want to withdraw from MSC about the PCSS requirements and the limited service available through PCSS. If a person requests or needs more service than PCSS can provide, then re-enrollment in MSC should be considered.

Who can provide PCSS?
PCSS can be provided by OMRDD or a voluntary not-for-profit provider with an HCBS Waiver Provider Agreement to offer PCSS and authorization to provide Medicaid Service Coordination. Staff providing PCSS must meet MSC qualifications for a service coordinator including the training requirements. These requirements can be found in Chapter 2 of the MSC Manual.

How often is it provided?
PCSS is provided at the time the ISP is due for review (at least every six months). Agencies providing PCSS can bill Medicaid once every six months.

How do you apply for PCSS?
At the time of MSC withdrawal, the DDSO will help the person choose a PCSS provider.

For questions about FET or PCSS please contact your local DDSO or call Kevin O'Dell, Director of Waiver Management, at 518-474-5647 or by email at Kevin.O'Dell@omr.state.ny.us.

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Personal Allowance for Persons Living in OMRDD Certified Residences by Jim Moragne, OMRDD

To effectively serve consumers who live in residences certified by OMRDD, a service coordinator must understand basic rules of consumer personal allowance. The monthly personal allowance can be used to help consumers pursue valued outcomes in their leisure time. Personal allowance allows consumers to purchase personal items that can enhance the quality of their lives. Personal allowance may not be used for "goods and services" the residential provider must supply, as specified in OMRDD's regulation 14NYCRR Part 635-9.1.

The following should help service coordinators advocate for people on their caseloads who live in residences certified by OMRDD.

Personal Allowance Basics
The personal allowance typically comes out of the consumer's monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security check or other income. In many cases, the residential provider acting as a "Representative Payee" receives the person's SSI or Social Security check. Upon receipt of this benefit check, the residential provider sets aside the personal allowance for the consumer first and then takes the remainder for "room and board." Some consumers receive their own SSI, Social Security checks or other income. In this case, the consumer takes his or her personal allowance amount from the benefit check and pays the remainder to the residential provider for "room and board."

All people who live in OMRDD certified residences and have an income source, are entitled to a monthly personal allowance. This right to a personal allowance is specified in law. The amount of personal allowance due an individual varies. First, the law requires a different monthly amount based on the type of residential program. For example, consumers who have income and reside in Family Care homes are entitled to a personal allowance of $102/month, while individuals with income who reside in community residences and individual residential alternatives receive $119/month. There may be additions to this basic statutory personal allowance amount. For example, if a person receives both SSI and Social Security checks each month, he or she is entitled to an additional $20/month. If a person works and has wages, the first $65 of the gross wages plus half of the remaining wages are added to the basic personal allowance amount.

Residential Provider Responsibilities in Managing Personal Allowance
As indicated above, it is often the residential provider, rather than the consumer, who receives the monthly SSI or Social Security check. This is because the Executive Director, or other staff of the residential agency, has been designated by the Social Security Administration as the consumer's Representative Payee. Where there has been such a designation, the Representative Payee is mandated by law to manage the consumer's personal allowance. OMRDD has very specific rules governing the proper management of personal allowance and these can be found in 14NYCRR Parts 633.14 and 633.15. These regulations require that the personal allowance be used exclusively for the person's benefit, and the preferences and valued outcomes of the Person are taken into account in all personal allowance expenditures, with the consumer making choices about his or her money to the greatest extent possible.

The regulations ensure that personal allowance supports a person's full range of personal and leisure time needs throughout the year.

The Service Coordinator's Role in Personal Allowance
As a service coordinator, you should understand both the consumer's right to the personal allowance and the residence's responsibility to manage the monies appropriately in cases where executive staff of the agency operating the consumer's residence serve as Representative Payee for the Social Security Administration.

The service coordinator should work with the residence staff, the consumer, his or her family, and advocates in personal allowance expenditure planning. From this group, an individual should be chosen to assist in expenditure planning throughout the year. Additionally, the service coordinator should, in consultation with residence staff and the consumer's family and advocates, help the consumer use the monthly personal allowance in a way that is meaningful to the consumer. This includes helping a consumer to make choices regarding spending money, learning to budget, and learning to save for a specific item. A consumer may have valued outcomes that can be achieved by using personal funds. Does the consumer have a vacation dream, a special hobby, or love of music? Personal allowance can be used for these purposes.

Help in Understanding More About Personal Allowance
Further information on personal allowance can be obtained from OMRDD's Revenue Support Field Offices (RSFOs). RSFO staff provide this and other information in the "Benefits and Entitlements" training, which is one of the six required professional development programs being offered to service coordinators.

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YEAR 2001 BENEFIT LEVELS By Kevin Patricia, OMRDD

Individuals who reside in New York State and are aged, blind or disabled may be eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security. For those who meet the eligibility criteria for these programs, specific benefit levels have been established. Each year these benefit levels change. The benefit levels effective January 1. 2001 are listed below.

Should you have any questions or need additional information about these benefit levels, contact your local OMRDD Revenue Support Field Office (RSFO). Currently, the RSFOs are conducting statewide sessions on "Benefits and Entitlements" as part of the required professional development training for Medicaid Service Coordinators. Your local Revenue support Field Office (RSFO) can provide a schedule of training for the remainder of the calendar year.

MEDICAID A needs-based program that pays enrolled providers for medical goods and services provided to eligible aged, blind, or disabled individuals. Applicants must have limited countable income and resources to qualify and meet other non-financial eligibility criteria.

Resource Level:
To be eligible for Medicaid, an individual can have no more than $3,750 in countable assets.

Income Level:
To be eligible for Medicaid, an individual may not have income over the amounts listed below.

Residential Setting:
ICF/DD: $35.00

FAMILY CARE: $796.48 for New York City, Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties - $758.48 for the rest of the State.

COMMUNITY RESIDENCE: (Including IRAs): $965.00 for New York City, Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties. $935.00 for the rest of the state.

INDEPENDENT LIVING :(single-person household): $625.00

PLEASE NOTE ... :an otherwise eligible individual whose income exceeds the applicable level may qualify for Medicaid coverage through an income spend down.

MEDICARE A federal health insurance coverage program for individuals age 65 or older, disabled insured workers, or some disabled dependents/survivors of insured workers.

Resource Level:None

Income Level: None. Medicare Parts A and B are not "needs-based."

Premium Amount:
$50.00 deducted from gross Social Security payment unless eligible for a Medicare buy-in program.

Coverage consists of two parts:
Part A Hospital Insurance
Part B Medical Insurance

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) A needs-based program that provides or supplements income to an eligible aged, blind, or disabled individual. Payment will vary depending on the consumer's living arrangement.

Supplemental Security Income {SSI} benefits are available for persons in certified residences. The level of payment is determined by the type of residence.

SOCIAL SECURITY An income insurance program for covered workers and some of their dependents and survivors when the worker becomes unable to work because of disability, retirement or death.

Resource Level: None - not a needs-based program.

Income Level: None - not a needs-based program.

Payment Level
Based on the amount the insured worker paid into the Social Security system. Monthly payments are not usually affected by living arrangement or other income.

For additional information, contact Kevin Patricia, OMRDD, at (518) 402-4339 or by e-mail at Kevin.Patricia @omr.state.ny.us.

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Home of Your Own by JoAnne Milhausen, OMRDD

Today, as people with developmental disabilities strive for independence in all aspects of their life, more people dream of owning their own home. This need not be just a dream. Home ownership can be a reality for people with developmental disabilities; however, it may not be for everyone.

How can you, as a service coordinator, know if a person is ready to begin the home ownership process? The Housing Office of OMRDD which provides information, referral and technical assistance to first time home buyers has developed the following checklist as a guide for determining the readiness of an individual to buy his or her first home.

1. The person has decided that he or she wants to own a home of his or her own.
The decision to buy a home must be made by the consumer. The service coordinator may help in the decision making process by presenting as much information as possible about all residential options, including home ownership.

2. The person has an ongoing and consistent source of income.
A bank will consider the following as legitimate sources of income: wages from employment, federal and state benefits such as SSI and Medicaid, or a combination of wages and benefits. In addition, funds from ISS contracts supplemental needs trust, and other gifts or grants may also be included when determining the total amount available to a person for mortgage payment and living expenses. Although SSI income alone may not be sufficient in all cases, especially in areas where real estate values are high (Long Island, New York City, Westchester), in some upstate areas affordable housing is available to people whose major or only source of income is SSI.

3. The person has established credit and has a good credit record.
Establishing and maintaining good credit is essential. If a person's credit history is not good, the person should work toward establishing a better record. Outstanding debts should be reduced or paid off prior to filing a mortgage application.

4. The person has savings and the motivation to continue to save.
At the time of the closing on the purchase of the property, the home buyer is required to have savings equal to two mortgage payments. The home buyer will also need to have funds set aside to cover closing costs. (The usual range is from $500.00 to $5,000.00.)

5. The person is willing to assume responsibility for maintenance of the house and property.
Home owners are responsible for maintaining their house and any property around it. This may involve a significant amount of work or expense if the person has to hire maintenance services. The individual should consider this carefully before making a decision to buy a home and again when choosing a specific house.

6. The person is committed to remaining in the home for a long period of time.
Potential homeowners should be prepared to remain in the home for several years. Selling a home within the first few years of ownership may result in a financial loss in the total cost of buying and selling the property. If a person has been given a grant for closing costs or down payment, the person may be required to return a portion of the grant if he or she sells the house within the term of the award.

7. The person has selected a co-borrower or housemate of his or her choice.
A basic premise of consumer-controlled housing is that a person should live with whomever he or she chooses. Some potential home buyers want, or have a financial need, to share their home and the cost of that home with another person. Selection of that person or persons should be a mutual decision between the person and the co-borrower or housemate. Since this is a long term commitment, it is recommended that the involved parties develop a written agreement specifying the financial, property and social responsibilities of each person living in the house, and stipulating the terms of the disposition of the property should the need arise.

8. The person has funds to meet the "moving in" expenses.
Household furnishings, rental trucks or professional movers, and utility deposits may all be part of the cost of moving into a house. The prospective home buyer should have a plan for how he or she will meet the expenses.

9. The person has a support network. For many home buyers, a support network is essential. The network may consist of friends, family, agency personnel and community members who are available on an ongoing and regular basis to assist the individual with personal needs and the responsibilities of home ownership.

10. The person has demonstrated responsible behavior.
Ideally, the person has lived successfully in an independent situation prior to making the decision to buy his or her own home. If not, it is important to evaluate the person's commitment and responsibility in other areas, such as work or school. Successful home ownership will require commitment and responsibility.

If you are a service coordinator who is working with a person who meets the guideline criteria or has the potential to do so, the OMRDD Housing Unit can provide you with information and assistance to help make home ownership a reality for that person. For information on mortgage products, down payment and closing cost assistance, and other funds for home ownership please contact Robert Davies, OMRDD, at (518) 473-1973 or by e-mail at Robert.Davies @omr.state.ny.us.

(This is the first in a series of five articles on the Home of Your Own project and first time home buying. The next article will focus on funding sources for first-time home buying.)

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Supplemental Needs Trust Funds "Why You Need To Learn About Them" by DiAnn Davies, OMRDD

Do the following statements coincide with your beliefs?

"The only way to protect the benefits and entitlements for a person with a disability is for families to disinherit their son/daughter." And, "You must spend down any excess income or you will lose your benefits."

If you think these statements are true, you are not alone. Many provider agencies, service coordinators and attorneys believe the same and are, unfortunately, advising families and persons with disabilities to do just that.

There is another way,
Supplemental Needs Trust funds (SNTs) were created through Federal and State laws to protect the benefits of persons with disabilities while allowing an accumulation of resources.

Generally, there are two types of SNTs:
1. A Third Party SNT that is set up and funded by a parent or other person. (Parents have a legal responsibility to financially support the daughter or son until after the age of 21).

2. An OBRA 93 (Ombudsman Reconciliation Act of 1993) payback (or Self-Settled) SNT is established by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or a court, but is funded with the assets of the person with a disability under the age of 65.

There are also pooled trust funds that are set up and run by not-for-profits.

Supplemental Needs Trust Funds can be used to supplement (in addition to) what SSI and Medicaid provide for food, clothing, housing and services. They cannot be used to supplant (take the place of) what SSI and Medicaid provide. They can also be used for "extras" such as theater tickets, cable TV, vacations, education, or membership to the local gym SNTs have many rules and regulations and should only be written by an experienced trust and benefits attorney.

The most important point to remember is that SNTs provide persons with disabilities greater choice, and their families the opportunity to enhance the quality of life for their son or daughter with a disability.

If you are interested in learning more about SNTs, call OMRDD's Housing Initiatives Office at (518)473-1973, attend a scheduled session, or send an email to: DiAnn.Davies@omr.state.ny.us.

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SC Training for Self Advocates by Laura Brengel, Self Advocacy Association of NYS

0ver the past several years, board members and staff of the Self Advocacy Association of New York State have traveled across the state talking with self-advocates. These discussions have focused on what self-advocates want their lives to be like and how they want to be supported. Many of these sessions have been geared towards encouraging people to learn about self-advocacy and the supports and services available to them. At some of these sessions, self-advocates presented several questions about OMRDD's service coordination program - Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC). Some self- advocates shared that they don't always receive a copy of their Individualized Service Plan (ISP), and at times, no one reads to them what is written in their plan. Others indicated that they really didn't understand MSC. Based on these discussions, the Self Advocacy Association of New York State has developed a training program for self advocates on MSC.

One section of the training program provides an overview of MSC, with special emphasis on the ISP and the Service Coordination Agreement. This section also addresses the rights of people receiving MSC. During another section of the training, self-advocates are asked to identify qualities of a good service coordinator. Some responses to this question include: someone who believes in them as a person; someone who listens to them; someone who spends time with them; and someone to help them accomplish the things they have asked for help with. Time is also spent discussing the options in choosing a service coordinator. The final piece of the training is a self-advocate/service coordinator version of The Dating Game where the whole audience gets to pick a service coordinator and self-advocate.

If you would like more information on self-advocacy and/or Medicaid Service Coordination training, please contact Ms. Laura Brengel from the Self Advocacy Association of New York State at (518)382-1454.