Florida currently has three waivers available: the Home and Community Based Services Waiver (HCBS), the Family and Supported Living Waiver (FSL) and the Consumer Directed Care Plus Waiver (CDC+). Advocates in Motion serves consumers on all three waivers as either support coordinators or consultants.

The Home and Community Based Services Waiver (HCBS) allows consumers to receive services in a variety of locations in the community. Services can be provided in the family home, a group home or foster home. Consumers can also receive services in places like community centers, businesses, or therapist offices. The HCBS waiver offers 33 services, and there is no limit, or cap, on the annual budget; however, your services must be medically necessary and receive prior service authorization. In practice, prior service authorization can result in reductions or denials of services deemed to not be medically necessary. Some services currently covered under the HCBS waiver include:

• Personal Care Assistance
• Supported Living Services
• Physical Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Transportation
• Consumable Medical Supplies
• Supported Employment Services
• Respite Care
• Residential Habitation
• Companion Services
• Adult Day Training
• Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supplies
• Behavioral Analysis Services
• Skilled Nursing Services
• Dental Services
• And More!

In order to provide some services to people waiting for the HCBS Waiver, funding was made available to create the Family and Supported Living Waiver (FSL). This waiver provides limited services to adults with developmental disabilities who have goals to participate in their community and may also have an independent living goal as well. This waiver also serves children under 18. FSL offers eleven services with dollar cap limits. The total annual budget cannot exceed $14,792 per year. Services covered under the FSL Waiver include:

• Supported Living Services
• Adult Day Training
• Consumable Medical Supplies
• In-Home Supports
• Respite Care
• Supported Employment Services
• Transportation
• Behavior Analysis Services
• Environmental Accessibility Adaptions
• Personal Emergency Response System

Consumer Directed Care Plus (CDC+) was created through an amendment to the HCBS waiver. Under this limited waiver, consumers direct their own care and develop a purchasing plan to manage their allocated monthly budgets in order to meet their long-term care needs. The services offered in the CDC+ waiver are the same as those offered through the HCBS waiver. In consumer-directed programs, the individual (or a representative that they choose to work with them) is responsible for choosing, managing and dismissing their care providers. They can decide which services to use, which workers to hire, how much to pay their workers and what time of day they will come. Currently this waiver is not open for enrollment, but may be in the future. Advocates in Motion employs trained and certified Waiver Support Coordinators and Consultants with extensive knowledge in each of these waivers and the services each one provides.

In addition to support coordination services, Advocates In Motion is able to provide other services and resources to people with developmental disabilities and their families.

• Social Skills Training - Andrea Friedman, owner of Advocates in Motion, teaches a social skills group for teens between the ages of 11 and 17 through the Tamarac Bulldogs, an agency of Broward County Special Olympics, Inc. Our agency is in the process of developing groups for varying ages. If you or a loved one is interested in participating in one of these groups, please call and let us know!
• Professional Training – Advocates in Motion is currently developing training programs, for both providers and other support coordinators, designed to offer assistance in developing documentation, assessing needs and remaining in compliance with all district and state requirements.
• Travel Training – Many people with special needs express the desire to learn how to travel, but lack the supports to help them attain this important goal. Currently in development, Advocates in Motion will assist people with special needs in learning how to take the bus across town, or a plane across the ocean. Staff will work one-on-one with the traveler (and their guardian or family members) to develop travel plans and itineraries, while also developing skills in money management, safety and “what if” scenarios.
• Mentoring – An extension of professional training, mentoring offers new support coordinators the opportunity for one-on-one time with an experienced coordinator from Advocates In Motion. The consumer drives how the time is spent. Staff is able to assist with documentation, prior service authorization submittals, cost plan building, visits, provider listings, and many other services. Mentoring sessions are a minimum of two hours.
• Guardianship & Special Needs Trusts – Advocates in Motion are advocates for guardianship and Special Needs trusts for consumers, where appropriate. Our agency works with several attorneys in the Broward County area who are experts in these areas and serve all of South Florida.
• Advocacy – Need someone on your side? AIM staff is eager to assist you with meetings, visits, or documentation to help you educate individuals or groups regarding developmental disabilities and obtain the services needed for you, or your special needs loved one.
• Counseling – Staff with experience in counseling geared towards the special needs population are available for short or long term sessions.
• Research – Are you moving to a new city? Unsure of how to apply for services in your new hometown? Advocates In Motion can help. We can research services for the special needs population in the location where you plan to move, and have documentation, applications and contact information available for you.
• Private Case Management – Advocates In Motion has trained staff available to assist you with your private case management needs. Services are designed for all ages, for people with or without disabilities. Services are tailor-made for the client. Some service examples include running local errands, banking needs, filling prescriptions, and daily “check ins”.

Please note that fees do apply for support services. We are happy to provide you with a quote based on your needs and budget.