Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program

CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES

CDPA allows people with disabilities or serious medical illness the opportunity to gain more control over their personal services. Participants are able to screen, interview, hire, train, supervise and dismiss their own Personal Assistant (PA). Because individuals will have more control in this service, they will also have more responsibilities. Therefore, participants must be self-directing and if that is not the case, they must have a significant other person in their lives willing to assume these responsibilities.

HOW DOES AN INDIVIDUAL BECOME A CDPA PARTICIPANT?

Individuals must participate in training offered by Jawonio on the operation of the service, such as how to interview and hire a Consumer Directed Personal Assistant, how to be a good supervisor and must learn about benefits that are available to CDPA’s. You also need to be assessed by the Rockland County Department of Social Services & have their approval to proceed. For private pay, Jawonio will conduct the assessment.

HOW DOES A PERSONAL ASSISTANT GET HIRED AND PAID?

Once the participant selects a PA , Jawonio will ensure assistants complete a W-4 form and all other forms related to hiring, and process the paychecks every two weeks.

DOES JAWONIO HAVE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES?

Jawonio is the agency authorized to offer CDPA in Rockland County. We act as the fiscal intermediary between Medicaid and the participant. Therefore, we are also responsible for: • Advocacy services related to Personal Assistance. • Acting as an employer of record for insurance and employee benefits only. • Ensuring equal opportunity to all prospective employees. • Maintaining a list of PA’s available for relief work. • Training participants in the regulations of service. • Maintaining list of potential PA’s for participant to hire.

DOES THE PARTICIPANT HAVE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES?

An individual or a support person must: • Obtain references on the person(s) they want to hire. • Train the PA’s in regard to their own personal needs. • Ensure completion of time sheets. • Hire as many PA’s as needed to ensure coverage at all times. • Inform Jawonio of changes in both the participant’s and the PA’s status, such as phone number, address and hospitalization. • Coordinate annual and holiday leave for their PA’s • Provide ongoing supervision of PA’s in compliance with relevant labor laws and county regulations. • Ensure PA properly uses the call-in and voice recognition phone.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR JAWONIO CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES?

Individuals must: Reside in Rockland County. Have a disability or medical condition qualifying them for Personal Services. Be eligible for Medicaid or have ability to pay privately. Be medically stable. Be self-directing or have an advocate who will act as consumer’s proxy

Have you ever thought of becoming a personal assistant for someone with special needs? If you would like to become a Personal Assistant, please call or email

Lindsey Haynes
845.708.2000 x5350
lindsey.haynes@jawonio.org