FOR PARENTS

Q: Who pays for these services?  Do I have to pay out of pocket?

A:  No, D.E.S. and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (D.D.D.) pays
ABC 1on1 and we pay the provider that works with your child.

Q:  My child has special needs but it's not Autism or P.D.D.  Can I still
bring him to ABC?

A:  Sure!  As long as your child is authorized for services through D.D.D.,
we would love to meet him and see how we can help.

Q:  My child has a diagnosis, but I'm not sure what D.D.D. even is.  I'm so
overwhelmed.  Can anyone tell me where to start?

A:  Yes. ABC's administration staff would love to sit down with you, or
spend time on the telephone, and we will provide you will all the
information you need to go from here.

Q:  My child has D.D.D. hours authorized but only for specific services.
Which service hours does ABC utilize?

A:  ABC is contracted for Habilitation, Respite, Attendant Care, and during
some seasons of the year, Day Treatment and Training.  (We plan to add
Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, and Physical Therapy
soon!)

Q:  What is home-based, community-based, and center-based, and where does my
child fit in?

A:  Home-based means your assigned provider would work with your child
mostly in your home.  Community-based means most of the work will be done on
outings such as at the library, at the park, or anywhere you and the
provider have agreed on.  Center-based means the provider would work with
your child in the ABC center.  Your child fits in anywhere you feel is best!
You can choose one place of service or use a combination of all three!

Q:  If I choose home-based service to begin with, am I obligated to stick
with that the entire time my child receives services?

A:  No.  If you decide later to change service places we can implement that
change at any time.  We are dedicated to doing whatever is best for your
family so when your needs change, our program will change!

Q:  My child spends half a day at school.  I want her to come to ABC the
other half of the day but I can't leave work to drive her!  Is there any
transportation help?

A:  Yes!  If your child attends school in the Mesa or Gilbert school system
the busses will transport to/from ABC!  Our providers can also transport, if
need be, to/from the child's home, day care, other school district, or
wherever the family needs transportation to/from.  We like the parent to
drive the child at least one way so he/she can stay in active contact with
administration at the center.

Q:  I'd like my child to attend the ABC center program all day.  Is lunch
and a snack provided?

A:  ABC does have a kitchen with a refrigerator, freezer, pantry, and
microwave so our providers are able to store and prepare the food you send
with your child but ABC does not provide food.  Because of the food
allergies many of our children have, group lunches and snacks are not
offered.  Each child who will need to eat while at ABC should bring food on
a daily or weekly basis.  (If the food is to be stored at ABC, please label
it with your child's name!)

Q:  I heard that ABC's center program goes on field trips!  Who pays for
them?

A:  The parents are responsible for the cost of any field trip they wish
their child to attend.  Monthly schedules of field trips are provided ahead
of time and the schedules include the cost of each trip.

Q:  I'd like my child to attend some of the ABC field trips but what if
there are places that he's afraid of or places that I'd just rather he not
go?  Are the field trips an all or nothing deal?

A: No.  You can choose which trips you'd like your child to attend and which
places he will not go.  On the days of the trips your child is not
attending, he and his provider may remain in the ABC center.

Q:  My child doesn't speak yet and I'm concerned since I can't ask him how
his day went.  How do I feel more secure in knowing that my child is well
cared for by his provider at the ABC center?

A:  All our providers (center-based, home-based, and community-based)
undergo numerous training sessions and screenings.  In addition to learning
how to provide and report on Habilitation, they must get certified in CPR
and 1st Aid, pass a federal fingerprint background check, complete a course
in Article IX (the rights of persons with special needs), and all are
subject to random drug testing.  The center-based providers have a
supervisor that oversees everyone and the entire building, with the exception
of the bathrooms, is equipped with security cameras that record.  A live feed
of the cameras is present in the administration office as well.

Q:  If I want to come early or just sneak in to observe my child in the ABC
center, do I need to make an appointment?

A:  No. ABC has an open door policy.

Q:  I have a niece that I think would be great with my daughter but she has
no experience. Is there any way ABC can teach her to work with my daughter
instead of assigning someone I don't know?

A:  Yes!  If you have someone you would like to work with your child, ABC
can train anyone from a neighbor to grandma!

Q:  I see the website and the center is geared more toward children.  Does
ABC provide service to adults with special needs as well?

A:  Yes.  The adult programs are home and community-based, but ABC can
provide to anyone with hours through D.D.D. regardless of age.

FOR PROVIDERS

Q:  What qualifications do I need to meet to work at ABC?

A:  You must be 18 years old and be able to pass a federal fingerprint
background check and random drug screening.  We will train you in everything
else!

Q:  How much will the training cost me?

A:  ABC does not charge anything for our training.  You will be responsible
for your CPR and 1st Aid costs, which ABC can arrange for you (the CPR/1st
Aid trainers typically charge $25) and the federal background check agency
charges $52.  ABC administration will roll your fingerprints for free.

Q:  What does ABC pay?

A:  Our providers start at $11 for Habilitation and $10 for Respite.  Hourly
wages can increase with experience!

Q:  How often does ABC pay?

A: ABC's providers are paid twice per month on the 1st and the 16th.

Q:  Once I'm matched with a child, where will I work with him?

A:  You can choose to be center-based and work at the ABC building,
home-based where you work with the child in his home, community-based and
take the client out, or a combination of all three.

Q:  I don't feel comfortable transporting a child in my car.  Is this a
requirement?

A:  No.  If you don't want to transport, this will narrow the number of
clients we can pair you with, as many families need transportation help, but
if this is a concern of yours, we'll do our best to find a client for you
that does not require being driven.