WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY IN PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT?
At Service Coordination, we believe that every person has the right to be treated with respect and dignity and to make choices that affect his/her life. We believe people come first and to support this philosophy we show respect and honor for all people through our words and actions. We believe it is our responsibility to drive solutions by seeking out opportunities and navigating systems to make possibilities a reality, build connections that will encourage strong relationships, and to raise awareness in communities to appreciate the similarities and unique gifts of each person that we serve.
HOW LONG HAS YOUR AGENCY BEEN PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN MARYLAND?
Service Coordination has been providing quality case management services since 1982. We began as one of the nation’s first independent service coordination initiatives serving people with developmental disabilities. We believed then and maintain our belief that services should be tailored to meet the desires of the individual. When first established we were a division of The Arc of Frederick County. Due to tremendous growth and the need to have one organization focused on providing service coordination for so many people, we were established as an independent nonprofit organization in 2005.
HOW IS YOUR AGENCY DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS?
Service Coordination is currently the largest case management agency in Maryland, serving more than 12,000 individuals. This accounts for 50% of people with an intellectual or developmental disability who receive case management services. We also employ over 400 team members in 14 counties in Maryland and Baltimore City. Team members are highly qualified with 96% having a Bachelor’s degree or higher, with Resource Coordinators having on average 6 years’ experience. Service Coordination is also unique due to our mobile workforce and technological capabilities which allow us to work from many places in the communities in which we serve people.
WHAT MARYLAND COUNTIES DO YOU SERVE?
We serve individuals in the Central, Western, and Southern regions of Maryland. Counties served are: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Washington, and Baltimore City.
WHAT AREAS DO YOU HAVE SPECIALISTS IN?
At Service Coordination, coordinators maintain expertise in many areas including the comprehensive assessment process for determining DDA eligibility, assisting individuals to apply for various State and Federal benefits, American Sign Language, unique needs of individuals with forensic/court involvement, students transitioning from school, aging and eldercare, veterans, mental health, developmental and intellectual disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. In additional coordinators are skilled in the area of Person Centered Planning. We work collaboratively with team members to ensure the individual’s needs and desires are addressed through the individual plan. We pride ourselves on learning the needs of individuals and acquiring the necessary information to develop expertise.
HOW DO YOU MATCH INDIVIDUALS WITH COORDINATORS?
At Service Coordination, individual choice is very important. This extends to the selection of the coordinator. Upon referral, we match individuals with local coordinators who are knowledgeable about their resources available in the community where the individual lives and works. We also match individuals according to their needs, preferences, and the expertise of the coordinator. Individuals are able to choose a new case management provider at any time and will be supported through this process by their coordinator.