Developmental Training vs. School in the Home-Based Support Services Programs

[Guest guest]

Mar,

I think the issue you have here is huge, real, and not at all uncommon. It is

hard for me to imagine that you can pile another part time job on top of a job

that appears to already consume 60 hours a week of your time. What we will do

for our kids continues to amaze me.

I think you have three choices, all of the problematic.

The first is the adult workshop. I wonder how you can pay for all the " after

workshop hours " . The workshop will burn up a huge chunk of his Home-Based

Support Services allotment, $952.25 per month of the $1,911 available.

The second is letting him continue in school. You've identified the challenge

there with summers. Of course, within two or three years, he will be leaving

school regardless. So it's only a tempary choice. I do want to point out that

Director Teninty is interested in letting people carry the funding over from

month to month and is starting the process of re-writing the waiver. She wants

to address many issues in a time frame that is not pressurized like last time.

So I would write her.

A third choice is working out a schedule of activities in the community and

your home and then hiring personal support workers to assist him with these

activities. I think this might be more cost effective but, still probably

wouldn't cover all the hours you need. Another issue is that if your worker has

a problem and doesn't show up, it can really disrupt your work.

It terms of comparing and contrasting the benefits to your son in regards to his

needs, goals, challenges, and dreams, I think you need to really step back,

forget all the stuff above. I would give myself the freedom to go with the VERY

BEST dream first and then think about which of these will help him achieve it.

Fitting the dream with the challenges above is the hard part, but a wonderful

place to begin.

Charlotte

***********************

I understand though that he would qualify for an adult workshop and the waiver.

Adult workshops meet 9-2 Monday through Friday year round. I work from 6-6:30

everyday as I am a divorced single mom. So in the summer when my son is off

school I need 60 hours a week of care for 6 weeks which cost me about $660.00 -

$720 a week and for the five weeks he's in half day summer school I use about 45

hours a week or $450 - $540 a week. I am wondering if anyone can explain the

difference between having your son in school or an adult workshop besides a

shorter day. He is currently gone 7-4 for school including bus time an adult

workshop would probably have him gone 8:00 - 3:00 with bus time which would be

about 2 hours less but would be year round.

How is school an advantage?

What services do they get in school that these programs won't provide?

Anyone know the differences so I can make a educated decision. I can tell you I

visited an adult workshop last week and was very impressed with what they offer.

I would think a year round program might be an advantage especially since I

can't save up the waiver dollars for times more coverage is needed. I am

currently trying to find a part time job so I can pay for summer care. Anyone

know of any home based jobs that are solid part time work?

Thanks,

Mar

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[Guest guest]

Charlotte,

Thank you so much for giving me such an excellent response to my questions.

Sometimes when were rushing about and trying to juggle it all we forget to stop

and breathe. So I have decided this weekend I need to write out what my dream is

for my son. I have it in my head but I think it would help for me to write it

out and so I can refer to it often when I'm trying to make decisions. I can then

look at each of the different programs and ask how that will help to achieve the

dream. These decisions are always difficult but I think your suggestion below is

excellent. Thanks for taking the time to get back to me as I know you are also

extremely busy.

Is it possible to provide an address for Director Teninty as I would definitely

like to write a letter requesting we be able to save some of the funds for times

we may need to provide more activities?

--

Many thanks,

Mar

-------------- Original message --------------

From: Charlotte Cronin <cronin_charlotte@...>

Mar,

I think the issue you have here is huge, real, and not at all uncommon. It is

hard for me to imagine that you can pile another part time job on top of a job

that appears to already consume 60 hours a week of your time. What we will do

for our kids continues to amaze me.

I think you have three choices, all of the problematic.

The first is the adult workshop. I wonder how you can pay for all the " after

workshop hours " . The workshop will burn up a huge chunk of his Home-Based

Support Services allotment, $952.25 per month of the $1,911 available.

The second is letting him continue in school. You've identified the challenge

there with summers. Of course, within two or three years, he will be leaving

school regardless. So it's only a tempary choice. I do want to point out that

Director Teninty is interested in letting people carry the funding over from

month to month and is starting the process of re-writing the waiver. She wants

to address many issues in a time frame that is not pressurized like last time.

So I would write her.

A third choice is working out a schedule of activities in the community and your

home and then hiring personal support workers to assist him with these

activities. I think this might be more cost effective but, still probably

wouldn't cover all the hours you need. Another issue is that if your worker has

a problem and doesn't show up, it can really disrupt your work.

It terms of comparing and contrasting the benefits to your son in regards to his

needs, goals, challenges, and dreams, I think you need to really step back,

forget all the stuff above. I would give myself the freedom to go with the VERY

BEST dream first and then think about which of these will help him achieve it.

Fitting the dream with the challenges above is the hard part, but a wonderful

place to begin.

Charlotte

***********************

I understand though that he would qualify for an adult workshop and the waiver.

Adult workshops meet 9-2 Monday through Friday year round. I work from 6-6:30

everyday as I am a divorced single mom. So in the summer when my son is off

school I need 60 hours a week of care for 6 weeks which cost me about $660.00 -

$720 a week and for the five weeks he's in half day summer school I use about 45

hours a week or $450 - $540 a week. I am wondering if anyone can explain the

difference between having your son in school or an adult workshop besides a

shorter day. He is currently gone 7-4 for school including bus time an adult

workshop would probably have him gone 8:00 - 3:00 with bus time which would be

about 2 hours less but would be year round.

How is school an advantage?

What services do they get in school that these programs won't provide?

Anyone know the differences so I can make a educated decision. I can tell you I

visited an adult workshop last week and was very impressed with what they offer.

I would think a year round program might be an advantage especially since I

can't save up the waiver dollars for times more coverage is needed. I am

currently trying to find a part time job so I can pay for summer care. Anyone

know of any home based jobs that are solid part time work?

Thanks,

Mar

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know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

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[Guest guest]

I love Charlotte's idea about writing to Director Teninty. Sharing our stories

will hopefully solidify her plans to rewrite the waiver...

Mar, your story is a perfect example of how the current waiver cannot meet your

son's needs.

Her full title and address is as follows:

Lilia Teninty, Director, Division of Developmental Disabilities

100 W. Randolph, Suite 6-400

Chicago, 60601

I also agree with Charlotte about putting the dream first...I would urge you to

help your son develop his dream plan and try in every way to make that happen.

You sound like a remarkable parent!

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Developmental Training vs. School in the Home-Based

Support Services Programs

Mar,

I think the issue you have here is huge, real, and not at all uncommon. It is

hard for me to imagine that you can pile another part time job on top of a job

that appears to already consume 60 hours a week of your time. What we will do

for our kids continues to amaze me.

I think you have three choices, all of the problematic.

The first is the adult workshop. I wonder how you can pay for all the " after

workshop hours " . The workshop will burn up a huge chunk of his Home-Based

Support Services allotment, $952.25 per month of the $1,911 available.

The second is letting him continue in school. You've identified the challenge

there with summers. Of course, within two or three years, he will be leaving

school regardless. So it's only a tempary choice. I do want to point out that

Director Teninty is interested in letting people carry the funding over from

month to month and is starting the process of re-writing the waiver. She wants

to address many issues in a time frame that is not pressurized like last time.

So I would write her.

A third choice is working out a schedule of activities in the community and

your home and then hiring personal support workers to assist him with these

activities. I think this might be more cost effective but, still probably

wouldn't cover all the hours you need. Another issue is that if your worker has

a problem and doesn't show up, it can really disrupt your work.

It terms of comparing and contrasting the benefits to your son in regards to

his needs, goals, challenges, and dreams, I think you need to really step back,

forget all the stuff above. I would give myself the freedom to go with the VERY

BEST dream first and then think about which of these will help him achieve it.

Fitting the dream with the challenges above is the hard part, but a wonderful

place to begin.

Charlotte

***********************

I understand though that he would qualify for an adult workshop and the

waiver. Adult workshops meet 9-2 Monday through Friday year round. I work from

6-6:30 everyday as I am a divorced single mom. So in the summer when my son is

off school I need 60 hours a week of care for 6 weeks which cost me about

$660.00 - $720 a week and for the five weeks he's in half day summer school I

use about 45 hours a week or $450 - $540 a week. I am wondering if anyone can

explain the difference between having your son in school or an adult workshop

besides a shorter day. He is currently gone 7-4 for school including bus time an

adult workshop would probably have him gone 8:00 - 3:00 with bus time which

would be about 2 hours less but would be year round.

How is school an advantage?

What services do they get in school that these programs won't provide?

Anyone know the differences so I can make a educated decision. I can tell you

I visited an adult workshop last week and was very impressed with what they

offer.

I would think a year round program might be an advantage especially since I

can't save up the waiver dollars for times more coverage is needed. I am

currently trying to find a part time job so I can pay for summer care. Anyone

know of any home based jobs that are solid part time work?

Thanks,

Mar

__________________________________________________________

Be a better friend, newshound, and

know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ