Case Management/Service Coordination assists individuals determined eligible for services from the Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities in accessing comprehensive medical, social, educational and other specialized services. Service coordinators are professionals who are trained in the field of mental health and/or closely related fields. Each individual who applies for services from the Division of MRDD is assigned a service coordinator who will assist the person and his or her family to identify, locate, coordinate and monitor services that meet the individual’s distinct needs
For many Missourians service coordination is only available from the state through Regional Offices. However, in a few counties, that service is also available locally from the county Senate Bill 40 Board. In Howard County, you are very fortunate to have a local case management provider.
For additional service coordination information at Endless Options, INC contact Tristy Ginter, Director of Service Coordination.
What is Service Coordination?
Service Coordination includes the following:
1.) Assessment, including an ongoing process to identify the person's needs and preferred lifestyle, and the resources that are available to the person through both formal and informal evaluation methods
2.) Support Planning, with the participation of the person and the person's support network, including
~ Developing (or assistance in developing), updating, and reviewing of the
person's person-centered support plan and any related service or support
plan
~ Building upon assessment information to assist the person in meeting his or
her needs and achieving the person’s preferred lifestyle
~ Providing the following assistance to the person:
- Becoming knowledgeable about the types and availability of community
services and support options
- Receiving information regarding the rights of persons served
3.) Support Coordination, including the following
~ Arranging for and securing supports outlined in the person's person- centered support plan
~ Developing and accessing of natural supports and community support systems
~ Providing advocacy, including pursuing means for gaining access to needed services
4.) Monitor and Follow-up, including ongoing activities that are necessary to
ensure that the person-centered support plan and related supports and
serves are effectively implemented and adequately address the person's
needs
5.) Transition Assistance, including the planning of and arranging
for services to follow the person when the person moves between any of the
following:
~ From school to the adult life
~ From an institution to community alternatives
~ From one kind of service setting to another
~ From one provider to another provider
~ From one service area to another service area
How does a person with developmental disabilities get case management?
To be eligible for services from Endless Options INC or CMRO, and individual must have a developmental disability that:
~Began before the age of twenty-two.
~Is likely to continue indefinitely.
~Results in problems with two or more of the following:
-Living and working independently
-Written or verbal communication
-Self direction
-Learning
-Mobility
-Self-care
Howard County Residents who have development disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, epilepsy, congenital disabilities, severe learning disabilities, and intellectual disabilities may be eligible for services.
