What is Service Coordination?
Service Coordination is advocating for needed services on behalf of consumers (the people who receive our services) and coordinating those services for the consumers and their families. A Service Coordinator is assigned to each consumer to help identify their dreams, goals and ambitions and to help develop a plan to achieve the desired outcomes.
The Service Coordinator will assist the consumer / family in developing a plan and then follow-up in helping the consumer to receive recommended services. Consumers are given choices and support in developing their plans. Community Resources are made available to the consumer to help meet their needs and the needs of their families.
Process for Eligibility
- Intake refers to the activities which lead to a determination of DDSN eligibility. Intake begins with a referral and ends with notification to consumer/family of an eligibility decision by DDSN.
- Needs assessment refers to the activities to obtain, review and evaluate descriptive, diagnostic, treatment and evaluation information provided by the consumer, his/her family, and others who know the consumer/family on a personal or professional level. The purpose of needs assessment is to determine the needs, desires and goals of the consumer.
- Single Plan Development refers to the activities leading to a comprehensive plan that identifies the needs, desires and goals of the consumer/family. The plan also identifies the service/supports necessary to address those needs, desires and goals and documents them on the single plan form.
- Plan Implementation refers to activities identify, refer, link or access new services/ supports or to maintain and coordinate services/supports currently received which address the needs, desires, and goals of the consumer as documented in the current single plan.
Service Coordination Support Services
Support Services are coordinated by the service coordinators to meet consumer needs as reflected on the single plan. The following services are representative of the services provided.
- Respite Care is given to consumers who are unable to care for themselves. Respite care is provided on a short-term basis when the person normally providing care is absent or in need of relief. Respite can be provided on an hourly or daily basis.
- Personal Care Services provide assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene and other aspects of daily living.
- Nursing Services provide nursing care medically ordered by a physician and
are provided by a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN) on a temporary basis.
- Adult Companion Services are provided to increase community awareness skills and address specific consumer needs.
- Family Support Services provide support to consumers and their families in an emergency, for health and safety related issues.
- Psychological Services provide assessment of needs, counseling and therapy designed to address the needs of the consumers.
- Behavior Support Services provide assessment and evaluation of the consumer’s needs to address problematic behaviors.
To learn more about the services provided through the Marion-Dillon County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs, please contact our professional services office in Mullins at (843) 464-2565 during regular business hours.