Annual Advocacy Plans
Option A
A family, trustee, or other representative may contract for an Annual Advocacy Plan that specifies for the year: 1) the number of monitoring visits , 2) the frequency of monitoring contacts with service providers, 3) attendance and advocacy at meetings 4) Follow up to concerns, review of reports, consultation and reports to family or Trustee. The contract may be renewed or modified on an annual basis.
Option B
A family may wish to engage an Advocate through an Annual Advocacy Plan to work with them to address a specific advocacy need or goal. This service may include assessment visits, consultation, attendance at planning meetings, exploration of resources, and/or follow up contacts, and is billed on an hourly basis.
Mary's Story
Mary is an only child. Her parents enrolled her in By Their Side years ago, and when they reached their 70's, they started an Advocacy Plan so that an advocate would be assigned, get to know Mary, and attend her planning meeting while they were still here to provide guidance. Later, as they were less able to travel, Mary's parents expanded her Advocacy Plan to include 3 additional visits and monitoring contacts each year, with reports back to them. Mary's parents are pleased with the advocacy provided and feel Mary will be well looked after after they are gone, through Advocacy Plan services renewed annually by Mary's trustee.
John's Story
John's trustee arranged for bimonthly visits through an advocacy plan when he first began to receive residential services, to monitor closely and assure his needs were met. His advocate addressed overdue medical care and arranged necessary evaluations to identify full and proper supports. She assisted to identify a new provider agency when his guardian decided a move was needed, and arranged vocational experiences reflecting his preferences.
Current Rates
Members enrolled in the Lifelong Advocacy Service: $90.00/hour and $0.67/mile travel expense.
Non-members: $105.00/hour and $0.67/mile travel expense.
Advocacy plans may be invoiced quarterly on an hourly basis for actual time spent, or on package basis which provides member discounts for a pre-set cost.