Self-Directed Supports Network Meetings

Betty Murray, Resource Coordinator; Michelle Brophy, Associate Director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH); and Katie West, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Housing Network of Rhode Island discussed how housing policies are made, why advocacy matters and how to use your voice to make a difference. The talked about current issues, simple ways to get involved, housing options and projects underway around housing.

Attorneys Elizabeth S. Phillips of Hackman & Phillips Elder Law RI LLC and Amanda E. Tarzwell of Tarzwell & Trubiano Law, LLC discussed planning for the future, including funding a special needs trust, guardianship and supported decision-making, trust options and building a strong support network for the next generation.

At this meeting, we were joined by Rhode Island's three support-broker agencies for self-directors: Lazo, Best Life RI and the RI Self-Direct. Attendees were able to ask questions, and the support broker agencies shared who they are and the services/supports they provide.

At this meeting, Crystal Cerullo discussed the move to the Mighty Network, our new online community, which replaced the Self-Directed Supports Listserv in November. Only the portion of the meeting in which we discussed the Self-Directed Supports online community network was recorded. The rest was an unrecorded open discussion.

At this meeting, Jennifer Haskins, Esq, associate attorney at Moonan | Stratton in Providence, discussed the different types of special needs trusts and estate-planning strategies for protecting a loved one’s access to important benefits.

At this meeting, Vicki Ferrara, Coordinator of Access to Integrated Employment and WIPA Director, discussed the Developmental Disability Employment and Day Activity survey. Individual and Family Support Specialist Crystal Cerullo addressed the move to the Mighty Network.

At this meeting, Elizabeth Bioteau, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at RIHousing, and Michelle Brophy, Associate Director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), joined us to discuss housing.

At this meeting, representatives from four fiscal Intermediary (FI) agencies (Rachel Morgan from Perspectives, Anita Fleckensein from ReFocus, Linda Vollaro from Options, Sharon Johnson and Natasha Walker from proPartnerships) shared updates on changes to documentation, payroll, Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) and other related topics.

At this meeting, Vicki Ferrara, Coordinator of Access to Integrated Employment and WIPA Director, discussed the DD (Developmental Disability) Employment and Day Activity survey. Nancy Lewis-Oliver, NCI Survey Specialist, spoke about the NCI (National Core Indicator) Survey.

At this meeting, Melissa Greenlief from Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), an administrator of community services focused on residential, briefly explained shared living arrangements (SLA) and the eligibility required. Joanne Malise (LCSW, Director) and Cliff Alston (Program Manager) from Living Innovations, Rachel Morgan (Director), and Nicole Prefontaine from Perspectives Corporation spoke about SLA.