Self-Directed Service

Agency with Choice (AWC)

Agency with Choice is a cutting-edge service which allows the person receiving services to co-manage their funds, in collaboration with The Arc. People with disabilities and their families value the ability to determine how their funds are allocated when utilizing our AWC service.

AWC members work with a personal Family Support Center team member to budget and apply their DDS funding for uses most beneficial for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.       What is Agency With Choice?

Agency with Choice (AWC) is a support service for individuals and families offering an increased level of self-determination through both the choice and design of services they select. Although The Arc is the employer of record, there is a shared responsibility with the individual and/or family for the hiring and management of employees who provide services, which is also referred to as a co-employment model.

Agency with Choice provides participants the opportunity to build capacity for self-directing and customizing their services while maximizing community opportunities and connections.

 2.     What Is the first step?

The first step is to contact your Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Service Coordinator and let them know you want to explore AWC.   You must be eligible for adult DDS Services to receive AWC services.

 3.       Who works for The Arc’s AWC Department, and what do they do?  Who do I go to and for what?

The AWC team Is made up of AWC Direct Care Staff, AWC Case Coordinator, AWC Director.

• The AWC Direct Care Staff works directly with individuals/families. 

• The AWC Case Coordinator Is the primary contact for families.  Your coordinator will:

  • help the individual/family navigate the service system and AWC regulations and help oversee the AWC Direct Support Staff.

  • maintain regular communication with all parties to discuss progress and assist with problem solving.

  • provide support to the individual/ family in planning for the ISP, facilitating and supporting the development and writing of requested assessments to establish goals and objectives for the upcoming year, and attend the ISP meeting.

  • assist in the planning and implementation of Flexible Funding with the individual/family, including creating the expenditure plan, and required paperwork for reimbursement.

  • be a community connector by helping to facilitate linkages to a broad array of local, generic community resources and organizations that may be helpful to address their support needs.  The coordinator will provide information, possible resources, and help to promote natural supports surrounding the individual.

  • provide monthly updates on budget utilization.

• The AWC Director oversees the entirety of the program and supervises the Case Coordinators.

4.       How do I access my AWC Case Coordinator?

Your AWC Coordinator can be accessed via email, phone, or in person upon request.  If you need contact information for your Coordinator, please don’t hesitate to ask.

 5.       How often will I meet with my Case Coordinator?

The Case Coordinator is required to do a minimum of one phone call per month, and one in person visit per quarter.  The Case Coordinator is able to provide more support as requested or indicated.  Meetings may include discussion around satisfaction with services, budget updates, staffing updates, progress the individual is making toward ISP goals, difficulties, concerns, rates of pay for AWC staff, etc.

 6.       Where and how do we find staff?

The Arc will post ads on various online sites.  The family can also search for staff; it could be a family friend, or a family member (it cannot be a spouse or legal guardian).   Family recommended staff need to go through the same application process and background checks as all candidates.  The Arc will act in good faith and try to hire the person identified.  The final decision to hire lies with The Arc.

 7.       Who does what during the hiring process?

The Arc is responsible for screening and vetting activities which include criminal background checks, fingerprinting, references, etc.  The Arc is required to follow Federal and State Regulatory requirements.  The Case Coordinator will support the individual and family in all activities related to the employment process including creating job descriptions, writing advertisements, helping families identify resources and places to recruit staff, participate in interviews of identified applicants, help facilitate the hiring process, negotiate, and establish rates of pay, and assist in completing annual performance evaluations.

 8.       What trainings does DDS require? 

DDS requires First Aid, CPR, Incident Reporting, DPPC (Disabled Persons Protection Commission)/Mandated Reporting Training and Preventing Financial Abuse and Exploitation. The Arc requires additional training provided through a staff orientation.

 9.       Who provides the training?

The Arc is responsible for providing the required trainings identified by the Department of Developmental Services.  All employees must be certified in First Aid and CPR before they can support individuals alone.

The individual/family is responsible for providing training on the daily support needs of the individual, as well as any other specific trainings they believe are important to ensure the delivery of quality supports. 

 10.   Who pays for the training?

Employees are paid for all their training time from the individual/family’s budget.

 11.   How much does my staff get paid? Who determines this amount? 

State law determines the minimum amount a worker can be paid (state minimum wage). The Department of Developmental Services has established a maximum amount that an employee, hired through AWC, can be paid.  Employees pay rates and benefits are determined by the individual/family in consultation with the Arc Case Coordinator and Director.

 12.   Can I offer raises?  Can I give a bonus?

The individual/family can decide when to give pay raises. Keep in mind, raises cannot exceed the pay rates established by the Department of Developmental Services nor can the family spend more money than their budget allows. If the family decides to give an employee a raise, they must do so within their existing budget. Pay raises can only be given in consultation with the Arc Case Coordinator and Director.
Bonuses are not allowed.

13.   Will my staff receive insurance benefits?

Families can offer insurance benefits to their staff.  If the family decides to offer insurance, they must do this within their existing budget. You can work with your Case Coordinator to determine how benefiting your staff will affect your overall budget.

 14.   What is flexible funding?

Individuals/families can access what’s called Flexible Funding if included as part of their budget. This funding is intended to help individuals achieve their identified Individual Support Plan (ISP) goals and support implementation of AWC support services. Implementation of Flexible Funding needs to adhere to the DDS issued guidance and procedures which outlines the categories of allowable and disallowable expenditures, prior approval requirements and procedures, and other reporting and monitoring requirements.  A Flexible Funding Expenditure Plan which itemizes spending must be utilized, reviewed, and approved by DDS at the beginning of each fiscal year.  This plan can cover allowable expenses that are incurred in the delivery of Individualized Home Supports and/or Individualized Day Supports, such as mileage, membership, or entrance fees, etc. and for other approved and allowable expenditures that support the individual in meeting their goals. The Arc is only able to reimburse allowable expenses incurred during the current fiscal year.

 15.   Who do I submit receipts to, and how?

Receipts are submitted monthly to the Case Coordinator via email or hard copy each month.  It Is preferred that families calculate the amount to be reimbursed and submit the total amount due along with all corresponding receipts to ensure accuracy. The Case Coordinator will ensure receipts reflect allowable expenses, calculate the total, and process payment.  If the total amount calculated by the Case Coordinator is different from the individual/family calculation, the Case Coordinator will contact the individual/family directly.

 16.   How long do reimbursements take?

Families should allow 7-10 business days for review and processing of reimbursements.

 17.   What are the paperwork requirements?

At the beginning of the fiscal year (July), your Case Coordinator will meet with you to review all required annual documentation (AWC Family agreement, Expenditure Plan, Family Support Plan) Throughout the year, there is documentation in the form of receipts, bi-weekly payroll approval, and other as requested.

  18.   Does The Arc provide any afterhours support?

There is a 24-hour support line however this is not a 911 service.  If immediate assistance is needed, call 911.  The support line number is: 508-209-1097

More Info

For more information about Agency with Choice, contact Anne Luevano, Program Director, at (774) 404-0911, or use the link below.