Direct Care Services
Autism Connections specialists work directly with individuals and families through state-funded contracts with the Department of Developmental Services.
If you've not yet applied for DDS eligibility, please contact Autism Connections if you need support taking this first step.
Agency with Choice Program
for children and adults
Agency with Choice (AWC) allows you and your family to have more control and be more creative with day-to-day scheduling and staff supervision, with Autism Connections as your partner.
DESE/DDS Program
for school-age children
The DESE/DDS program is designed to promote in-home support to school-aged students and their families with the goal of preventing a more restrictive or residential placement.
Intensive Flexible Family Supports
for children
Intensive Flexible Family Supports is a 6-18 months program that focuses on practical support that address challenging behaviors and empowering parents and families with the tools they need.
Autism Waiver Program
for young children
The Autism Waiver Program supports a planning process that results in an Autism Support Plan of Care, used to assist each family in identifying the needs of their child.
Agency with Choice (AWC) allows you and your family to self-direct the services you receive with Autism Connections as your partner.
What is AWC?
AWC is a Department of Developmental Services (DDS) funded program that requires a referral from DDS.
Provides families the opportunity to have more control and be more creative with day-to-day scheduling and staff supervision. Means that Autism Connections provides regular case management, budget review, problem solving and information and referral.
Allows for Autism Support hours to be used for a specific goal (i.e. starting a business) or combination of goals (i.e. household management skill building, community access, vocational and pre-vocational, etc)
Provides families the opportunity to have more control and be more creative with day-to-day scheduling and staff supervision. Means that Autism Connections provides regular case management, budget review, problem solving and information and referral.
Allows for Autism Support hours to be used for a specific goal (i.e. starting a business) or combination of goals (i.e. household management skill building, community access, vocational and pre-vocational, etc)
Who is eligible?
Those who are DDS eligible and have Chapter 688 funding allocation and/or family support allocation are eligible for Agency with Choice.
What is your role?
Individuals and families: work with a DDS Service Coordinator and Autism Connections' Family Support or Autism Specialist to determine how best to meet your needs with funds allocated to yourecruit, interview, and select your staffAutism Connections reserves the right not to hire any applicant who does not meet the standards of the job. Note: DDS must approve hiring of members of the family of the individual served.set pay rate for staff (hourly rate must fall within state minimum wage law and DDS maximum standard service rates). In addition to the hourly rate paid to the employee, 22% will be allocated to the budget to cover expenses like payroll taxes, worker’s compensation insurance and unemployment benefit.For example, if you pay the employee $10 per hour, and additional $2.20 will bring the total hourly rate to $12.20. This total must not be more than the DDS maximum standard for that position classification.set schedule for staff and determine dutiesprovide staff with training specific to your family member’s caresupervise the day-to-day activities of the employee, including Performance Evaluations (completed in conjunction with Autism Connections Family Support or Autism Specialist)approve and submit required financial management documentsreview, sign, and submit employee signed time sheetreview, approve, and submit bills for AWC program expenses (including staff mileage paid at the organization's mileage reimbursement rate) Note: Your signature verifies the truth and accuracy of each documentshare responsibility for regular, open, and mutually respectful communication with the Family Support or Autism Specialistagree to participate in a problem solving process when issues arisemay inform the Family Support or Autism Specialist that you no longer wish to have this employee working with your familythe Family Support or Autism Specialist will ensure legal guidelines are followedcheck with your insurer for coverage for individuals who work in your home
What is the role of your Autism Connections contact?
Autism Connections assigns a Family Support or Autism Specialist as your point of contact while receiving services through the AWC program. That contact will:orient you to the AWC program, policies, and procedure.
Work with you and your DDS Service Coordinator to help identify the services you need
help you develop a budget within your allocated amount for these services
if needed, assist you in recruiting staff as outlined in your budget
maintain communication with you and your staff through visits in the initial month to review services and speaking with you as often as needed during that initial period and at least monthly thereafter
provide information and guidance on training and supervision of staff, including guidance with your employee’s performance review and any corrective action reviews
work with you and your DDS Service Coordinator, as needed, to resolve concerns through the Problem Resolution process
Work with you and your DDS Service Coordinator to help identify the services you need
help you develop a budget within your allocated amount for these services
if needed, assist you in recruiting staff as outlined in your budget
maintain communication with you and your staff through visits in the initial month to review services and speaking with you as often as needed during that initial period and at least monthly thereafter
provide information and guidance on training and supervision of staff, including guidance with your employee’s performance review and any corrective action reviews
work with you and your DDS Service Coordinator, as needed, to resolve concerns through the Problem Resolution process
What is Autism Connections' role in AWC?
Pathlight, Autism Connections' parent organization :is the official “employer of record” and will fulfill the following administrative tasks
will ensure that all state, federal and agency mandates are met in relation the eligibility of the potential employee, to include:interviewing and screening the prospective employees you identify
securing work references (two positive references are required)verifying citizenship/ability to work in the United States
conducting a driving record check
after the offer to hire is extended, performing a Criminal Offender Record Information check (CORI)makes the final hiring decision; Pathlight/Autism Connections will do its best to accommodate the preferences of the family while maintaining the organization standards and meeting all applicable laws and regulations
completes new hire paperwork
provides orientation to the employee regarding agency policies and procedures
provides required staff training (paid from the family’s budget)provides financial management services including processing payroll, withholding taxes, paying unemployment and worker’s compensation insurance, issuing W-2 forms, maintaining all financial records and producing a monthly financial report for you
may reassign staff no longer wanted by family or terminate staff
meet with the family monthly to review budget and adjusted as needed
conduct regular check-ins with staff, family members, and individuals seeking feedback
will ensure that all state, federal and agency mandates are met in relation the eligibility of the potential employee, to include:interviewing and screening the prospective employees you identify
securing work references (two positive references are required)verifying citizenship/ability to work in the United States
conducting a driving record check
after the offer to hire is extended, performing a Criminal Offender Record Information check (CORI)makes the final hiring decision; Pathlight/Autism Connections will do its best to accommodate the preferences of the family while maintaining the organization standards and meeting all applicable laws and regulations
completes new hire paperwork
provides orientation to the employee regarding agency policies and procedures
provides required staff training (paid from the family’s budget)provides financial management services including processing payroll, withholding taxes, paying unemployment and worker’s compensation insurance, issuing W-2 forms, maintaining all financial records and producing a monthly financial report for you
may reassign staff no longer wanted by family or terminate staff
meet with the family monthly to review budget and adjusted as needed
conduct regular check-ins with staff, family members, and individuals seeking feedback
The DESE/DDS program is designed to promote in-home support to school-aged students and their families
The goal is to increase a family’s ability to support their child at home and in their community while preventing a more restrictive or residential placement.
What is the DESE/DDS program?
It is a grant funded program that is administered through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) with funding from The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and subject to annual appropriation.
What are the program requirements?
Family participation is essential to the success of the program
Students must be between 6-17 years of age at the time of enrollment
Students must be DDS eligible
The program ends at age 22, or upon leaving the school system
Students must be between 6-17 years of age at the time of enrollment
Students must be DDS eligible
The program ends at age 22, or upon leaving the school system
What does the program consist of?
The following program components help the participant to remain in his/her home by focusing on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and greater independence into adulthood:
Family Service Navigation4 hours per mon
that least 2 home visits per year, more if needed
Development of Service Plan
On-going communication, problem solving, monitoring & assistance to families
Professional Staffing
Senior Level Therapist, Skills Trainer, In-Home or Community Based Therapists, Speech, OT, PT:
Create and implement plans
In-Home activities: minimum of 3 hours/week
Community participation: Develop skills and enhance quality of life
Respite hours available Ancillary goods and services (Flexible Funding)
Community Integration Activities
Community Outing Costs
Family Training
Chore Services
Peer Mentor
Educational Materials and Reinforcements
Adaptive/Replacement Clothing
Specialty Nutritional Supplements
Uncovered Medical Supplies and Services
Family Service Navigation4 hours per mon
that least 2 home visits per year, more if needed
Development of Service Plan
On-going communication, problem solving, monitoring & assistance to families
Professional Staffing
Senior Level Therapist, Skills Trainer, In-Home or Community Based Therapists, Speech, OT, PT:
Create and implement plans
In-Home activities: minimum of 3 hours/week
Community participation: Develop skills and enhance quality of life
Respite hours available Ancillary goods and services (Flexible Funding)
Community Integration Activities
Community Outing Costs
Family Training
Chore Services
Peer Mentor
Educational Materials and Reinforcements
Adaptive/Replacement Clothing
Specialty Nutritional Supplements
Uncovered Medical Supplies and Services
Intensive Flexible Family Supports
What is the Intensive Flexible Family Support Program (IFFS)?
IFFS was created in 2012 to address the in-home support needs of families of children with autism. It is a short-term (6-18 months) program that focuses on practical support addressing challenging behaviors. Autism Connections' objective is to help stabilize a volatile situation to enable less intensive Department of Developmental services.
How does it work?
Based on the family's needs, the program typically consists of weekly or bi-weekly in-home visits from an Autism Connections Autism Specialist. The Autism Specialist acts as a consultant, collaborating weekly with parents and any other professionals involved, to help assess, make recommendations for behavioral strategies, and help teach parents and families how to implement these strategies in their homes.
Autism Connection’s IFFS program typically focuses on a very specific goal (reducing aggression, increasing emotional regulation skills, toilet training, etc.). Autism Connections is very conscientious about making recommendations that work for the family, taking into account the family dynamic and other responsibilities. We work collaboratively with the entire family and extended team throughout the process.
The end goal is empowering parents and families and providing them with the tools they need to successfully manage any challenging behaviors that they may encounter in the future.
Autism Connection’s IFFS program typically focuses on a very specific goal (reducing aggression, increasing emotional regulation skills, toilet training, etc.). Autism Connections is very conscientious about making recommendations that work for the family, taking into account the family dynamic and other responsibilities. We work collaboratively with the entire family and extended team throughout the process.
The end goal is empowering parents and families and providing them with the tools they need to successfully manage any challenging behaviors that they may encounter in the future.