Finding a Care Manager

A Care Manager can play many roles from being the central person in an individual’s life to periodically addressing reapplications for benefits, service plan meetings, or problem-solving unanticipated situations.

The Care Manager’s responsibilities can include:

• Assessing needs
• Identifying and reviewing programs with the individual and family
• Advocating for additional services or the quality of current services
• Completing applications and re-applications for state and federal benefits
• Coordinating care for public and professional services
• Coaching families, successor caregivers, etc.
• Assisting in self-direction (recruitment and hiring of direct care staff)
• Serving as the liaison for families who live out of state.

The Care Manager is an extension of a parent or guardian’s role and helps to ensure safety and a good life for your loved one. In some cases, the care manager will be the main successor caregiver.  It’s important that the professional is not only well-qualified, but that they will act in the best interest of the individual with IDD and/or autism.

Some Care Managers started their career as a healthcare professional or social worker, providing relevant experience for your family.  It’s important to confirm they have the expertise that an individual requires, so you have peace of mind when you consider the future.

Remember: your Care Manager will have access to private and sensitive information about a person you love. You want to choose wisely and fully vet the candidate or organization.

Once you’ve decided to bring in a Care Manager for your loved one with IDD and/or autism, the next steps are:

• Researching the types of care manager professionals that are appropriate for your situation, so you can hire the right professional.
• Being clear on the care manager’s role through a written agreement which identifies your specific expectations and the costs for the professional services.
• If using an organization, reliability and reputation should be considered.

How to Find Help You Can Trust

• Word of mouth: Ask friends, associates and existing team members (where relevant) if they have any recommendations.
• Explore resources from aging and disability centers.
• Research organizations which provide trust services such as Berkshire County Arc, The Arc of Bristol County, PLAN, and others.
• Law firms with a disability specialty may offer such services.
• Consider a trial period with your care manager. Ask them to take on a time-limited task to explore their knowledge, communication skills, and results.

Important Note: Be careful when looking for help via social media. Not everyone on the internet has good intentions and you don’t want to share any sensitive information with someone you do not know.

If you hire someone who is self-employed or part of a small business, make sure you:

• Do a comprehensive background check.
• Get multiple references.

If you hire someone via an agency, be sure to:

• Ask about the qualifications of their Care Managers.
• Confirm they have done background checks.
• Check if their care managers are licensed or certified in some manner. If not, ask what criteria the agency uses to establish their competency in the disabilities field and related services.
• Verify that if you hire them through an agency, you can address any concerns not only to the care manager, but, if necessary, to the agency itself.

LEARN MORE: Care Managers and How They Support Individuals with Disabilities – Special Needs Alliance

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