ABLE Cooperative A Better Living Environment ABLE Cooperative - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ABLE Cooperative A Better Living Environment

ABLE Cooperative  Mission : Empower people with physical disabilities to access reliable, self-directed care services, for complete control, choice, and flexibility in their lives  Core Values: ◦ Right to self-direct all aspects of personal attendant services ◦ Right to stability in personal attendant services for both employers and employees 2

ABLE  Supports self-direction and empowers members  Has 24/hr access to services  Offers and promotes competitive wages & benefits for Personal Attendants  Is a small community-based organization in the greater Burlington area 3

The Problem  Self-directed people with physical disabilities have limited options in Personal Care Attendant (PCA) services: ◦ Lack choice of PCAs and what you can afford to pay them (with agency or individually) ◦ Lack control and flexibility of service times for Personal Care – restricts ability to work, attend school, and participate in sports, arts, and community life ◦ Lack access to services “after hours” ◦ Lack back-up 4

Why a Cooperative? • A Cooperative is designed and controlled by the people who use it. This cooperative will provide shared services for the mutual benefit of members. • The unique design of a cooperative allows participants on Flexible Choices to pool their resources to access a greater level of support and services. 5

Sometimes it takes a little AN AN cooperation to make a Cooperative Agency Model Board Agency PCAs Member Consumers Coordinator PCAs 6

Agency-Based PCA Services Cooperative-Based PCA Services Among the country’s lowest paying jobs (U.S. median Provide above average starting wage at $13.25, full and wage is $9.40/hour). part time employment. Inconsistent training requirements poorly aligned with Train employees consistently and to meet individual wages. needs of members. Inadequate health care coverage. Provide health care option. High injury rates. Provide workers compensation + proper training, accident reporting, and supportive environment. Unpredictable hours, often part-time/per diem. Set shifts for full and part time PCA workers. Offering full- time positions. Heavy reliance on public benefits. With full-time employment, higher wages, and benefits we expect PCAs reliance on public benefits to decrease over time. Consequences of Instable Agency-Based PCA Consequences of Stable Cooperative-Based PCA Services Services Diminished quality of care. Increase quality of care. Compromised access to services. Increase access to services Greater unmet need among people who need and use Meet needs of people who need and use services. services. Major financial burdens for agency-based long-term Reduce financial burden with limited administrative care providers. oversight and costs. Major financial burdens for state and federal agencies. Reduce financial burdens for state and federal agencies: require less Medicaid money over time for individuals who receive long-term care, enabling individuals to participate in their communities and raise local economies. Reduce members and PCA employee’s 7 li f d l

Who is eligible to be a member of ABLE?  Members - People with permanent physical disabilities, who self-direct. 8

Market Size  Approximately 300 individuals on Choices for Care in Chittenden County  100 Individuals on Flexible Choices Statewide ◦ 32 live in Chittenden County  Looking at youth transitioning to adult programs and individuals with newly acquired disabilities. Source: Choices for Care Data Report, April 2012, http: / / www.ddas.vermont.gov/ ddas- publications/ publications-cfc/ cfc-qrtrly-data-rprts/ cfc-data-report-april-2012 9

Strategic Partnerships  A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant through Boston College’s National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services  VCIL  DAIL  Transitions II – Flexible Choices  ARIS Solutions  VT Small Business Development Center  Cooperative Development Institute  Dunkiel & Saunders  Champlain Housing Trust  Northgate Residents Ownership Corp.  United Way of Chittenden County 10

Steering Committee / Incorporating Directors  Jill Allen  Nate Besio  Zeb Carlson  Stan Senger  Marcy Ryan  Sandi Lawrence  Lisa Franzen 11

Thank You! 12