Frequently Asked Questions

1. What type of service does By Their Side offer?

Advocacy and oversight. When a family joins, an interview is completed to record individual and family preferences and advocacy needs, history, contact information of siblings, trustee, etc. to guide future advocacy efforts. When services begin a Personal Advocate makes assessment visits at the frequency identified by the sponsor, and follows up to see that identified concerns are resolved. They work with the individual and others to relate appropriate expenditures to address needs or preferences to a trustee, if any. By Their Side serves as a resource for siblings as they become advocates, and provides update reports. In addition to the lifelong advocacy service that begins upon the sponsors' passing, By Their Side offers immediate short term or long term assistance through Advocacy Plan Services.

By Their Side does not serve as guardian or trustee, but works closely with those who do.

2. How are By Their Side advocacy services different from State funded Resource Coordination?

By Their Side's sole focus is the advocacy needs and wishes of the individual and their family. Personal Advocates follow the advocacy plan set up by the family or Trustee. Resource Coordinators are guided by State and federal directives and priorities. Although both monitor programs and work to resolve concerns and facilitate service linkages, Personal Advocates work with up to 15 individuals and Resource Coordinators may work with up to 70 individuals. The Advocate involves the Resource Coordinator in resolving situations of which they may not otherwise have been aware. By Their Side Advocates help identify financial needs and life enrichment opportunities, facilitating the use of Trust funds when available. They provide update reports and act as a resource for the family or Trustee. Personal Advocates have on average 20 years of experience in this field when they start work as a part time consultant for By Their Side.

3. What is the difference between Lifelong Advocacy Services and Advocacy Plan Services?

Individuals enrolled in Lifelong Advocacy Services receive an annual assessment visit with follow up to identified concerns. Services begin upon the death or incapacity of the parents or other sponsor, and continue for the lifetime of the individual served.

Advocacy Service Plans are contracted by families or trustees wishing to arrange more frequent visits, monitoring, and oversight. Families determine the number of visits and monitoring contacts to occur each year and are charged a fee for the Advocate's time providing services. A reduced fee is available for prearranged Advocacy Plans, as described in Services and Rates. Advocacy Plans begin whenever the family is ready--immediately or after the parents are no longer available to advocate. Advocacy Plans end on June 30 each year, at which time they may be renewed or modified.

Short-term Advocacy Plan Services can assist to resolve a particular need. They are typically funded on an hourly basis.

4. Can Advocacy Plan Services be arranged for someone who is not enrolled in Lifelong Advocacy Services?

Yes. The hourly rate is higher, and the service is not eligible for member discount.

5. Who can sponsor By Their Side Membership?

The sponsor is any person who enrolls the individual in the By Their Side Lifelong Advocacy program and pays the enrollment fee. This can be a parent, sibling, family member, or Trustee. Lifelong services begin after the sponsor passes away. Once a member, the individual is eligible to receive reduced Advocacy Plan service rates and member discounts for packages. A team repesentative may assist an individual to self-fund a reduced membership fee to receive reduced hourly rates for Advocacy Plan services.

6. How can I arrange for Advocacy Plan Services to begin after I'm gone?

Enrolling in Lifelong Advocacy services ensures at least an annual assessment visit with follow up will occur, and allows access to lower cost Advocacy Plan services. Creating a Letter of Intent provides a guideline to your family and/or Trustee of your wishes regarding Advocacy Plan services after you are gone. Some parents begin Advocacy Plan services while they are still here, to assure a smooth transition. If you don't make your wishes known, chances are the person you leave in charge will not understand how important ongoing advocacy will be to your son or daughter.

7. What services are offered to Sponsors?

By Their Side is a resource for parents, siblings, and other sponsors. You can call with questions regarding estate planning, service referrals, and how to address concerns with providers, for example. By Their Side also offers annual educational and networking meetings and provides articles of interest and updates in our newsletter. Short-term or ongoing Advocacy Plan Services are also available. For example, an advocate can be contracted to attend a meeting to help you address a particular concern, or can begin regular visits and report back to you to assure a smooth transition.

8. Who is eligible for services from the By Their Side program?

Marylanders who have an intellectual/developmental disability are eligible.

9. Will By Their Side work with a Trustee, family member, or guardian who lives out of state?

Definitely. This is a prime reason you need a reliable in-state advocate. A Personal Advocate will serve as your “eyes and ears”, maintaining the requested level of contact with your son/daughter and in communication with the out of state family member or guardian. If a Trustee is involved, the Advocate will work to identify needs or life enrichment opportunities to assure Trust funds will be spent wisely.

10. How is By Their Side funded?

By Their Side is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization funded by families or trustees through enrollment fees for Lifelong Advocacy Services and contractual fees for Advocacy Plan Services, as well as tax deductible contributions. Enrollment fees, paid within 2 years of joining, are invested to allow growth before Lifelong Advocacy Services begin. By Their Side's Board of Directors complete periodic actuarial studies to evaluate and set rates to assure adequate funding for services for members. Since its inception in 1965, the organization has been guided by a Board of Directors comprised of parents, siblings, and community members who assure By Their Side operates on a lean budget and retains focus on its mission.

11. How do I begin the application process?

Return a completed By Their Side Application to By Their Side's office with a copy of the most recent Psychological Evaluation and/or other documentation of an intellectual/developmental disability. If Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) services have begun, include a copy of the current Individual Plan.

12. How soon can services begin?

Once your application is approved by the Board and enrollment fee paid, you are entitled to all By Their Side services. Lifelong Advocacy Services begin after the death of the sponsor(s). Additionally contracted Advocacy Plan Services can begin immediately.