Reaching out for a family in need!

[Barbara Dominic]

Hi All,

My apologies for using our gmail networks for outreach. I try very hard to not overload you with emails, but this situation needs a broad reach!

Today, Barnstable Co. DHS received a call from a mom of a 7 year old with Down's Syndrome; the family shares a home with a relative in West Yarmouth. The parent works, relies on public transportation, and is looking for in-home assistance for her child for personal care and reinforcement of skills learned in school; he is of course on an IEP. The child is essentially non verbal.

In addition to in school support, the parent is connected to KDC and is working with a Case Manager. She has also received confirmation of eligibility for DDS services but it doesn't sound like any actual services are in place. It seems that KDC may have a small amount of funding to pay for a personal care aid but the mom has to find someone, a very tall order! There may be other needs as well but this is a brief sketch of the presenting problem for now.

If anyone has ideas for resources and/or other referrals to meet this need, please reply to me via this email and I will get back to the parent. They do have MA Health, but don't know which plan.

Thanks in advance!

Barbara Dominic, LICSW

Barnstable County Children’s Behavioral Health Work Group, Consultant

(508) 246 - 0173

(she, her, hers)

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate action of its members.”
― Coretta Scott King