What Are My Service Coordinator's Responsibilities?

In partnering with you and your child, your Consumer Service Coordinator is responsible for assisting you or your family member with accessing information and gaining knowledge, making decisions and choices about the outcomes you would like for yourself and your future, developing plans for working toward your desired outcomes, and identifying, locating and accessing the supports and services that you may need to achieve those outcomes.

We believe that when you, as a consumer or involved family member, feel that you have the support you need, have information and knowledge about the services and resources available to you, and feel comfortable and able to take responsibility for your decisions and choices, you have as much control over your life as possible. Having this self-reliance and control is what we mean by empowerment. Your Consumer Service Coordinator will assist you in locating and coordinating the support, information and service choices you or your family member need to feel secure, knowledgeable, responsible and empowered. This is what we refer to as service coordination.

Your Consumer Service Coordinator provides support by:

• Listening to your concerns.
• Respecting your observations, opinions and preferences.
• Linking you with peer support.
• Advocating for you with various agencies such as the local school district, Social Security, Medi-Cal, work service programs or housing agencies.
• Responding when you have emergencies and crises.
• Investigating problems, complaints and possible abuse.

Your Service Coordinator assists you in gaining information and knowledge by:

• Offering you training and educational opportunities.
• Linking you with specialists from the community who can answer your questions.

Your Service Coordinator assists you in accessing supports and services by:

• Helping you to identify or develop natural supports in your community.
• Informing you of cost-effective public and community resources and services.

Your Service Coordinator assists you in developing plans and making choices by:

• Encouraging you to identify or develop a circle of support - the important people in you or your family member's life who can meet and communicate regularly to offer support and assistance with planning and decision-making.
• Attending meetings with you or your family member, such as Individual Educational Plan (IEP)meetings at your school.
• Partnering with you and your circle of support to develop a useful and effective person-centered Individual Program Plan that lists the specific outcomes you or your family member is trying to achieve, and the services and supports required to meet those outcomes.
• Partnering with you in periodically reviewing the progress you are making toward your desired outcomes and discussing any needed change in your plans.
• Partnering with you in reviewing the quality and effectiveness of the supports and services you receive.