Assisting Individuals With Developmental Disabilities to Pursue a Quality of Life That is Consistent With Their Preferences and Choices.
About Us
History
Full Access Brokerage (FAB) is one of nine brokerages throughout the state of Oregon. The first Brokerage was opened in November of 2001, and FAB opened in March of 2002. The Brokerages are the result of a class action suit and court settlement between the State of Oregon and the Federal government in 2000 which is being phased in over six years, 2000-2006. This settlement, called the Staley settlement, was in response to a lawsuit filed on behalf of five individuals with developmental disabilities who were eligible for services but not receiving them. They had been on the "waitlist" for services; this waitlist contained the names of over 4,000 people! One person had been waiting for 17 years. Many adults with developmental disabilities were not receiving any needed supports and available support dollars were often applied unevenly across the state.
The Staley settlement says that support services will be available to any eligible individual. Services must be based on the needs and desires of the individual and, if appropriate, the family. The needs and desires must be determined through a person centered planning process that assists individuals and their families to determine and oversee the supports that they need to live the lives that they choose. The Staley Settlement calls for "universal access" to self-directed Support Services for all adults with developmental disabilities. In essence, this creates an entitlement to support services for all eligible adults with developmental disabilities built upon the principles of self-determination. Access to these support services, through Support Service brokerages, must be applied on an equitable, fair and uniform basis across the state regardless of what part of the state a person lives in. The statewide plan for brokerages ensures that all eligible individuals will receive services by 2009.
Full Access Brokerage was established through the collaborative effort of people with disabilities, advocates, providers, and the support of Mental Health/Developmental Disability personnel in 2001. The founders of FAB shared a commitment for developing a brokerage that would be knowledgeable about local disability issues and committed to the personal choices of individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to the self-advocates, the agencies associated with the founding of FAB were:
Alvord-Taylor, Inc.
The Arc of Lane County
The Arc of Central Oregon
Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living
Deschutes County Developmental Disabilities Program
Direction Service
Educational and Community Supports, University of Oregon
Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties
Independent Environments, Inc.
Lane County Developmental Disabilities Services
McKenzie Personnel Systems
Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon
Oregon Supported Living Program
Residential Assistance Program
Return to topPhilosophy
The overarching philosophy of FAB is a respect for the right of every person with developmental disabilities to exercise control in pursuing, developing, achieving, and maintaining a quality of life consistent with their preferences and choices. Our philosophy in supporting people with developmental disabilities is that when a person and members of their natural support network (i.e., family, friends, neighbors, etc.) decide that the person needs and wants professional support, that support should be melded with natural support. These supports should be provided in a respectful manner that ensures the person controls and chooses:
- how support needs are identified and budgeted,
- how support services are purchased and delivered,
- how outcomes associated with support are defined and determined, and
- how and when support services are reviewed and revised based on changes in the person's support needs and preferences.
Consistent with this philosophy, we value--above all else--the empowerment of the person with developmental disabilities (with help, as appropriate, from members of their natural support network) to control their own life and, accordingly, to make choices that exemplify that control. Beyond this, and consistent with an individual's personal preferences and choices, we value the right of people with developmental disabilities to have an active presence and participation in community life including, but not limited to:
- meaningful work
- volunteer experiences
- spirituality
- social relationships
- political participation
- educational and self-development opportunities and
- recreational experiences.
All of our work at Full Access Brokerage is founded upon the four principles of self-determination:
"Self-Determination is a fundamental human right. It means that people have the freedom to decide how they want to live their lives and receive the support they need. It means having control over their resources and taking responsibility for their decisions and actions. Very simply, it means getting a life." - Ellen Cummings Operating Principles of Self-Determination
- freedom
- authority (or control)
- support and
- responsibility.
Return to topEnrolling as a Client at FAB
To be eligible for Full Access Brokerage support services the individual must:
Be an Oregon Resident
Be 18 years of age or older
Have a documented developmental disability and meet the definition under Oregon Law
Not already be receiving comprehensive services from the state (foster home or other residential home requiring licensing or certification)
The individual should contact their County Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities office or case manager, to determine if they may be eligible for Brokerage services. Once an individual is eligible for support services through the Brokerage they are entitled to receive assistance.
Some commonly asked questions regarding eligibility:
- If someone is not a US citizen are they still eligible for support services?
Yes, only if they are found eligible by the County Developmental Disabilities Program. If they are found eligible they will receive general fund dollars for support services.
- Can an individual receive Senior/ disabled funding and be in a Support Services Brokerage?
No, an individual cannot receive support services from both systems. They will receive services via the system from which they are determined eligible based on their primary disability.
- What if someone has a dual diagnosis?
If their primary diagnosis is that of a developmental disability and they need supports in regard to this disability, then they are eligible for support services. They may also be receiving services via the mental health system.
- What happens if someone chooses not to enroll in the brokerage?
The person stays on the wait list and goes to the end of the list for their particular enrollment category based on the date they declined services. The person does remain with the county developmental disabilities services.
- When are people enrolled into the brokerage?
Individuals are enrolled into the brokerage on the 1st of the month that they are eligible to be enrolled.
Return to topPlanning Supports
After an individual is determined eligible for support services they will be contacted by their personal agent or their county case manager to schedule a transfer meeting. During the transfer meeting the personal agent will explain the history of Full Access Brokerage and the concepts behind universal access and self-determination. They will go over the initial paper work for FAB including the release of information and the appointment of a fiscal intermediary. The transfer meeting will usually take about an hour so that the client and family have time to ask questions and the personal agent has a chance to get to know a little bit about the client. At the end of the transfer meeting the personal agent and the client will set up another time to meet. At this point, the county case manager's role becomes that of a support specialist around the client's eligibility for services; the support specialist is still involved in the client's life, but in a more limited way. The personal agent becomes the main contact for support services.
The second meeting between the personal agent and client usually takes place at the client's home between the client, family, personal agent and sometimes providers. At this meeting the personal agent and client want to spend some time trying to get to know one another and start building a relationship. The personal agent uses a tool called the customer survey which is a lengthy list of questions that helps to determine some of the client's goals, dreams, needs, skills, interests and dislikes. Often the process of filling out the customer survey can take more than one meeting or conversation.
At any point, the personal agent and client may organize a person centered planning meeting. This involves the personal agent, client, and the people the client wants to attend such as family, friends, providers, and the support specialist. At this meeting the personal agent and the "circle of support" discuss the client's goals, dreams, needs and what steps need to be taken in order to achieve these goals and dreams. Some of the areas that are covered during a person centered planning meeting include the client's social activities, employment, likes and dislikes, abilities, and home life. The person centered planning meeting can be a unique and critical piece in determining the client's support services.
Finally the personal agent will write up the Individual Support Plan or the ISP. This will explain the short-term and long-term goals of the client, the supports from providers and family, and the budget. The personal agent will then submit the plan to the county support specialist for approval and then implement the plan. The personal agent is in charge of reviewing the plan on a set schedule to make sure that the appropriate supports are in place and that the client's goals are being achieved. The client is in charge of directing his or her supports, including authorizing payment for them, and making sure that they report any problems or changes to their personal agent.
The Individual Support Plan will be reviewed once a year on its plan anniversary date. The personal agent will then go over the customer survey with the client again and identify any new goals or other resources. Every 90 days there will be a review of how things are going. There will always be ongoing support and case management from the personal agent.
You can also see these steps in outline format.
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