Empowering Self-Advocacy: iBudget for Success

1. Self-Determination……………… A Path to Success! Robyn Strawski – Self Advocate Rebecca Crosby – Self Advocate Sara Canali - Self Advocate Ryan Chandler - Waiver Support Coordinator ------- Rhonda Sloan – Moderator iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

2. iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

3. Agenda for Today • Brief information on iBudget Waiver • Insights and experiences: • Rebecca Crosby • Robyn Strawski • Sara Canali • Ryan Chandler • Questions and Answers iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

4. What is iBudget? • Home and Community Based Services • Flexibility and Self Direction focus • Assist individuals to live, work and learn in their communities • Individual budgets with flexibility to move service funds to meet needs - the "i” in iBudget is for the individual! iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

5. Flexibility and Self Direction • Services can change and evolve - it is a dynamic process • You must ADVOCATE for yourself to make it work for you! • You need to know the program rules and flexibility – ask questions and be persistent iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

6. Self Advocates • Explain how and what • ”explain what is going on inside your body” • “you are the one living it” • “explain or show what you mean” • “explain WHY it is important” • Educate providers on your needs and preferences • Seek help from lots of places – even Facebook! iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

7. Self Advocates • Work closely with your WSC – you should work in partnership – the WSC works for you! • Know who to call at the regional office – ask for the “Waiver Work stream Lead” or the “Regional Operations Manager” • Know the rules of the program so you can take advantage of the flexibility! iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

8. Becky’s Perspective • Job, new relationship, moving – celebrations and challenges! • How do I handle the problems that arise? • How do I speak up and what creative ways have I found success? • How have I used the iBudget flexibility? • What are the keys to having a good WSC? • What qualities do I look for in a provider? iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

9. Sara's Perspective • Entering the working world and new opportunities and priorities.. • What qualities do I look for in a provider? • How do I explain what I need? • How do I speak up and what creative ways have I found success? • Why did I move to the CDC+ program iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

10. Robyn’s Perspective • Job changes, physical ability changes, new opportunities…. • What qualities are important in a service provider? • How to be a “Do-er” and not a bystander • Learning to do for yourself – taking the fall • Making a move and exploring the options • iBudget flexibility – how does it work? • What are the keys to keeping good providers? iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

11. Ryan’s Perspective • What is my role as a WSC? • What flexibility in the iBudget has done for those I support? • How do you “work the system” to get what is needed for an individual ? What’s works to get things moving along… • How do I get the self advocate involved in the decision making of iBudget and its flexibility? • What else? iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

12. Lets Don’t Forget….. • iBudget and its flexibility with budgeting • Self advocacy • How to find and keep providers • How WSC should help YOU • Know the rules of the program iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

13. QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION! iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

14. APD Resources for You • iBudget Florida • Website: ibudgetflorida.org OR http://apd.myflorida.com/ibudget/ • Contact us emailAPD.iBudget.Contacts@apdcares.org • Resource Directory • http://resourcedirectory.apd.myflorida.com/resourcedirectory/ iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016

15. APD – Getting Connected • Family Care Council • http://www.fccflorida.org/ • Florida Self Advocacy Networked (FLSAND) • http://flsand.org/ • http://apdcares.org/selfadvocacy/ • Subscribe to APD news • http://apdcares.org/ iBudget Florida - Family Café 2016