Program for Accessible and Sustainable Services (PASS)
The Center for Family Support, Coalition for Self Direction, and a collection of providers and statewide organizations are launching an initiative to design a self-direction program in New York that is inclusive and effective for all individuals with disabilities. This effort, called the Program for Accessible and Sustainable Services (PASS) Pilot, seeks to address significant challenges within the Self-Direction model, including:
- Ensuring the continuation of SDS services where families are aging or deceased
- Expanding access to make SDS a workable model of support for underrepresented communities
- Developing staffing solutions for emergency situations and alternatives to those without established hiring pools
The Program will enable providers of Self-Direction to expand support to individuals and families in targeted ways the make CFS more accessible and sustainable to all families. The key goals of the program are to:
- Develop Replacement for Parental/Natural Support Duties – Explore and create the best solution to unburden aging parents and underrepresented parents from SDS tasks through expanded staff support that continue to provide person-centered support. Ensure throughout the project, even as provider support expands, that the individual continues to control decision making power for their own life. This will be done with Sustainability Managers, who will be embedded in support providers and fiscal intermediaries to take over the role of parents/natural supports in administering SDS, including staff management, finances, and safety.
- Find Solution to Emergency Staffing Issue – Identify the best pool of qualified staff to support individuals in emergency situations where the primary staff is unavailable.
- Ensure and Expand Representation – Include aging parents/natural supports, low-income, and under-represented communities; have participation levels from individuals across ISPM levels.
- Track Outcomes – Track well-being, safety, independence, employment, housing, and satisfaction.
- Policy Case – Provide evidence to scale sustainable self-direction statewide.
How can you support the Program?
We continue to search for providers and organizations interested in participation; New York State agencies, foundations, and philanthropists seeking to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families by partnering on the project; and individuals and families who would like to support the project and learn more. Please complete the below form and we’ll reach out to you with updates as the Pilot moves towards launch!
