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Case Management
and
LIFE CARE Plan Implementation
Services
Caragonne
and Associates, LLC is often asked to implement long-term plans
for persons for disabilities.
As with the long-term plan development process
described in the Litigation
Support Services section, a
model of face-to-face in-home assessment and intervention directs plan
implementation at Caragonne and Associates, Inc. The implementation
strategy guiding provision of case management services at Caragonne and
Associates is designed to guarantee that needed services are identified
and secured, that service outcomes are continually assessed and re-assessed
for their benefit to the individual, and, that services are promptly
terminated when they do not provide a benefit to the individual.
This emphasis ensures
that each long-term plan developed is individualized, accountable, responsive
to the person’s needs, and capable of changing as individual needs
change over time. The model combines reliance on case management and
assistive technology to secure independence, safety, and health for the
person with
the disability. The purpose of each case management activity performed
is described below. Comprehensive
service planning is completed to identify any service required
for safety, health, community integration and independence.
By maintaining service accountability at Caragonne and Associates,
LLC the disabled person--and their family members–have access to an
identifiable person to assist them in resolving problems they have with
services delivered–independent of the location or number of service
providers involved. Following plan completion, detailed facts are provided
to family members about the purpose of each resource recommended. Referrals
are also made and each service recommended is secured. Needs for counseling
to strengthen the family unit and respite services for relief from the
daily responsibilities of care are reviewed periodically during home
visits with family members. Appropriate counseling, respite, therapeutic,
diagnostic, surgical, and medical services are arranged with family members
as the need arises. Follow-up contacts are made to learn the status of
every request made for service.
Service
monitoring with providers–either
on-site in the individuals’ home or by family member interview–frequently
occurs once service starts to identify problems that might cause disruption
or suspension in service continuity. When providers fail to provide the
specific service requested, deny a service, interrupt a service without
warning, or do not provide an appropriate level of service, advocacy
is instituted with each provider to rectify the problems. To assure collaboration
on goals to be achieved, concurrence with goals is secured from funding
sources and family members prior to start of services. Cross-disciplinary
collaboration is routinely maintained with all providers. Each is made
aware of the others’ roles, responsibilities and time frames for
service so each can work toward a common end.
Through
active collaboration and communication with providers, each provider
of service knows the
activities and objectives of other service providers, and, current
family status. Active partnerships are maintained across all providers
to ensure
adequate communication about the client’s needs. The quality
of the link between consumer and provider is frequently re-evaluated.
Providers
failing to collaborate with others are recommended for termination.
The actions of each are orchestrated to operate in unison at the point
the
client needs them. Service
evaluation is carried out during all aspects of service delivery
to determine if services are appropriate to the individual’s
needs and preferences, judge the value of the services being
provided, or identify
need to change service providers due to poor service. Available financial
resources are protected by substantiating that services are priced
competitively, cost over-runs avoided and effective use made
of the often-limited funds
available. Service need is agreed upon before purchase of a service,
device, or assistive aid. When more costly services are required,
requests for proposals from community vendors are developed and
providers are
requested to submit bids for review prior to purchase. Families are
taught to select from the competing bids for service. Families
are also helped
to apply for public sector programs to further conserve their resources. When
the interests of the consumer are known to be at risk despite repeated
advocacy, appropriate legal remedies are reviewed with family members
and referrals are made for protective services, due process measures,
family intervention, Guardianship or Conservatorship proceedings,
creation of Special Needs Trusts or other legal recourse needed.
Advocacy is
also taught to family members.
Specialty
consultation to educational personnel
at annual school evaluations is used to promote the greatest
use of public sector benefits. Similar efforts are taken
with rehabilitative
and vocational
resources. Service application and negotiation with state and
private vendors of service are completed, as is assistance
in securing greater
levels of services from Medicaid, Medicare, Vocational Rehabilitation,
Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Department of Aging,
and Special School Districts. Caragonne and Associates, Inc.
accepts
referrals
for
Case Management and Plan Implementation from:
Family members
or individuals with disabilities interested in
determining resources needed, timing,
use and cost of future resources
Independent
living centers, rehabilitation facilities, and
local
hospitals
Case management
firms seeking to coordinate overall services for their clients
Educational
settings from preschool level,
Early intervention, K-12, community
college and university settings
Physicians, therapists, and
providers of specialized services
to
persons with disabilities
Adult
residential or assisted living
agencies serving persons
with developmental disabilities
or brain injury
Guardianships
or Trusts managing the financial
resources of
persons with severe and
chronic disabilities
Firms
involved
in the prosecution or
defense of
medical malpractice,
product liability, or
personal injury litigation
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