The By Their Side Personal Advocate works closely with the state funded Service (or Resource) Coordinator. Both of our jobs include monitoring programs, investigating appropriate programs, and working with family members. However, the state funded advocate can only do so much with their time allotment for each client. Our Personal Advocates are able to design an advocacy program around the needs of the individual and the wishes of the family. We also act as a liaison between the individual we serve and a family member, Trustee, or Guardian to be sure funds you leave to supplement you son/daughter's needs will be spent wisely.

Every person enrolled in the By Their Side program receives the “basic” service of one annual visit upon the death or disablement of his/her parents or sponsor. However, most parents want to be sure their son/daughter is seen more than once a year. To get those extra services, the parent can contract for “supplemental” services using the “Supplemental Service” program. This is based on a fee for service for the time spent for visits in addition to the once a year contact. Supplemental Services can be contracted by the hour or by using prearranged packages as described in the Supplemental Service Brochure.

The parent and sponsor can be the same person. The sponsor is the person who actually enrolls the individual in the By Their Side program and pays the application fee. This can be a parent, sibling, family member, Trustee, or other interested person. The basic service of one annual visit begins at the death or disablement of this sponsor.

During your lifetime, you can contract for the services. After you’re gone, you will need to be sure trusted family members, or the Trustee of your Special Needs Trust, know that you want them to contract for the ongoing Supplemental Services. It is extremely important that someone knows you want this advocacy continued. If you don’t make your wishes known, chances are the person you leave in charge of your family member’s future will not see how important ongoing advocacy will be to your son or daughter.

Once the initial application process is completed and the one time application fee is paid, you are entitled to all of the By Their Side services. This means that you can contract for ongoing advocacy immediately.

The Personal Advocates make regular visits based on the level of involvement you select. This includes attendance at the annual Individual Planning Meeting where they provide input in the development of an annual plan. The Advocates maintain phone/email contact with services providers during the year to see that the plan is followed. They also work very closely with the sponsor, family members, and/or Trustee regarding planning for needs and carrying out appropriate expenditures on his/her behalf.

By Their Side is here as a resource for you and your family members. You can call with questions regarding estate planning, service providers in your area, and where to go for other support services. By Their Side also provides periodic educational meetings and provides articles of interest in our newsletter.

Definitely. This is a prime reason you need a reliable advocate within the state for your son/daughter. Our Personal Advocate will maintain regular contact with your son/daughter and then stay in close communication with the out of state family member, Trustee or Guardian to be sure funds you leave to supplement his/her needs will be spent wisely.

Complete the By Their Side Application Form and send it to our office with a copy of the most recent Psychological Report. If you have completed the process of applying to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) for services, include a copy of the Eligibility for Services letter from DDA.

Our Personal Advocates are trained to provide advocacy services for individuals with developmental disabilities living in the state of Maryland. If the individual is eligible for DDA services, our Personal Advocates will be able to provide ongoing advocacy.

From age 0 until age 21, your child is entitled to educational services. He/she will either be mainstreamed in the public school program, or will be receiving specialized educational services. During this time, parents should be concentrating on ensuring their child is getting the services that best fits his/her needs. This is done through the IEP (Individual Educational Plan) annually. Parents should begin their estate planning by attending as many seminars as they can to learn about the above bulleted items.

From age 21 to 55, your child will be transitioned into the work place. As parents, you will now attend the annual IP (Individual Planning) meeting to assist your son/daughter in developing his/her wishes and desires for the year. You will work with the service providers and state funded Service Coordinators to design a program around funding received from DDA, and monitor to be sure the program fits the needs of the individual. The waiting list for state funded services in Maryland is extremely large at this time, so it is imperative that your child’s name is on the DDA list for services even though you may not need them right now. It could take years to find funding for residential services so you need to be prepared to investigate alternatives.

During this time, parents should definitely have their estate planning documents in order. A Special Needs Trust should be established so that there are funds available when the parents are gone to continue to pay for vacations, activities, and extra medical/dental care not covered by any state funding. Pre-planned funeral arrangements should be made. If the individual is his own guardian, a Medical Power of Attorney, or Surrogate Decision Maker for medical issues should be name.

Age 55 and above are the senior years. This is time when the individual may wish to retire and move into a different type of day program. A Senior Center providing more activities such as crafts, outings, exercise programs, and music classes should be investigated. The individual’s emotional state should be monitored as well has increased medical issues associated with the aging process.

By Their Side can assist you throughout this lifelong process. Sometime in your future, you may want to retire and move out of state, travel, or may not be able to provide this ongoing advocacy. Why do it alone? Join By Their Side to be sure your son or daughter is enjoying the best quality of life possible.

Last update November 1, 2009