My Special Education Advocacy Services As a special education advocate, I've shifted to providing remote support services. Although I no longer attend meetings in person, I remain dedicated to empowering parents by offering valuable assistance. This includes reviewing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), evaluations, crafting action plans, and composing necessary letters. Please choose the support option(s) that align best with your needs below. Service Name I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Service Name I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Service Name I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Service Name I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Get a Quote Can't find what you're looking for? No worries! Just tell me what you need, and I'll shoot you an email with a quote and the next steps. Let's get you sorted! First Name Last Name Email Send Your email has been sent!

I'm looking for... Individual & Family Resources Useful Websites Museums Art Classes Social Skills Classes/Programs Farming / Planting Programs Horseback Riding Staff Ballet Classes Community Centers Cooking Classes Feeding Therapy Sensory Gyms Karate Classes Music Classes/Programs College Resources Swimming Classes Camp Computer Classes/Programs Travel Programs Transtion Programs Recreational Programs Sports Classes/Programs Feeding Therapy Art Classes & Programs Sensory Gym Sensory integration gyms and programs. Social Skills Classes & Programs Whether you are trying to improve your child's social skills or their interpersonal and communication skills, check out these options. Karate Classes Expose your kiddo to discipline, following directions, socialization communication and more with karate classes. Check these out. Music Programs & Classes Who doesn't love music? If your kiddo does then check these programs out! Staffing Tools & Sites Take the hard work out of finding staff with these staffing tools. Camps From day camps to overnight camps. Check this list out! Computer Programs & Classes Is your kiddo a techie? Loves being on the computer or that Ipad or tablet? Check out these computer classes that will teach thow how to create their own stuff! Free Programs & Services Hey who doesn't like free? Check out these programs, classes and resources that may be helpful! Great Products These are some products that work for other families and may work for you as well. Horseback Riding Programs Does your child love horses? Check out these programs for both horseback riding and hippotherapy. Swimming Classes & Lessons Do you think water safety is extremeley important? Or maybe your kiddo just loves water! Either way, check out these swimming programs. Sports Programs & Classes Check this out for a variety of regular and adaptive sports programs that may fit your child's need. Ballet Classes Hey?! Who doesn't secretly want to be a ballerina? If your kiddo does, check out these programs! Useful Websites Travel Programs Special Needs travel programs Cooking Classes Special Needs cooking class Recreational Programs Programs that offer a variety of classes such as social, art, sports etc. Community Centers Museums Does you child love art, or Legos, or history? Get a museum membership! College Resources Does your child have the potential to attend College or University. Here are some resources that hopefully can help! Transition Programs A live in program where young adults can live and learn their independence, and then go home. Gardening & Farming Programs Sharing is Caring 💖💓 Do you have something that works for your child that you would like to share? Parents just like you are looking for items to help their child be the best they can be too! I have something to share! Report a broken link

Expert Advice Delivered Straight to Your Inbox My monthly email newsletter is full of practical advice you can easily apply to your SD experience and win with your self-direction budget. Email Join My Mailing List Thanks for subscribing! Recommend a Provider for Spotlight Be the Next Provider Spotlight What to Expect Expert Advice You Can Always Trust I am a seasoned broker who is dedicated to helping my families reach their SD goals. With my Q&A, tips, and guidance, you can trust that you're getting expert advice that will help you succeed. Free Community Events Looking for free events in your area? Look no further! Each month, I compile a list of free community events that your child can attend. And the best part? You can get reimbursed for your travel expenses through Personal Use Transportation. Don't miss out on these great opportunities to have fun and save money! Classes and Programs My monthly feature, "Provider Spotlight"! brings you an exclusive interview with a unique vendor, providing valuable insights and uncovering new opportunities for your kiddo! Plus, I'm always on the lookout for vendors who accept direct payment, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for you. Proven Ways to Maximize Your Child's Budget Are you looking for ways to make the most out of your child's budget? I provide ideas to help you maximize your child's budget. Subscribe now to receive proven tips and tricks every month! Relevant OPWDD News and How It Impacts Your Child Stay informed about the latest OPWDD news and how it affects your child. My monthly updates provide honest and relevant information on trending topics, changes etc. without any fluff. Trust me to always keep you in the know! and Much More Extra content, exclusive insights, interviews, helpful items and so much more! I am constantly working to enhance the information provided, ensuring my newsletter stays current and engaging for my families. After all the most effective advocate is an informed advocate! Previous Newsletters Newsletter Sample View Newsletters What Parents Say “...Chantel has been an invaluable resource for me and my family. Her expertise and support have helped us navigate the complex world of self direction with ease.” - Sarah, Riverdale

Thank you for your referral! Referring a New Client? I have a simple two-step process. Unfortunately, I am not currently accepting new housing cases. But if your case doesn't involve housing, follow the steps below to start the intake process. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Ask a Question STEP 1 Refer Only If You Have the Following For the Individual ... NOD.9 Self-Direct authorization DDP2 Must be completed with scores SD Info Session Certificate Depending on when the participant/designee attended the session this can be a certificate or an email confirmation. CR-4 Used to verify individuals demographic information. NOD.1 Waiver Authorization LCED/LOC Must be updated with-in the last year ***Additional documents will be requested once I accept the case STEP 2 Have all the necessary documents? If you have all the required documents mentioned above, that's great news! Please send me an email that contains the first name of the participant, their parent's name, their county/borough, and phone number. Also, make sure to include the designee in the email. After receiving your email, I'll respond to it, and the designee can decide on a suitable time for us to connect and get to know each other. This way, we can determine if we're a good match and move forward accordingly. Send Email Now What Parents Say “...Chantel has been an invaluable resource for me and my family. Her expertise and support have helped us navigate the complex world of self direction with ease.” - Sarah, Riverdale

Chantel's List In my circle, excellence is the standard. Explore a handpicked selection of reputable organizations and companies trusted by parents like you! GET CONNECTED ANGELSENSE The AngelSense device is a GPS tracker made for people with special needs like autism or dementia. Caregivers can track their loved one's location in real-time using a simple mobile app. It also has two-way communication, SOS alerts, and geofencing to help caregivers respond fast to emergencies. With its safety features, Angel Sense gives caregivers peace of mind and keeps their loved ones safe. Even better, they handle direct billing with certain FIs, meaning no upfront costs for you! CARE.COM Care.com is an online platform connecting families with caregivers for a variety of needs, including specialized care for individuals with special needs. With a focus on safety and convenience, whether it's finding a caregiver trained in autism support, developmental disabilities, or other specific needs, Care.com helps families find the perfect match for their unique requirements. Plus, you can receive reimbursement through the budget for the payments you make! SIGN UP NOW! SIGN UP NOW! BARK The Bark Kids app is a tool designed to help parents monitor and protect their children online. Bark Kids provides real-time alerts for potential risks such as cyberbullying, online predators, explicit content, and more across various social media platforms, text messages, and emails. Parents can stay informed about their child's online activities and intervene when necessary to keep them safe in the digital world. With Bark Kids, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children are protected online. OUTSCHOOL Outschool offers classes specifically tailored to meet the needs of children with special needs. These classes are designed to provide additional support and accommodations to ensure that all students can participate and thrive in a safe and inclusive learning environment. Outschool's instructors are experienced in working with children with a variety of special needs, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more, and are committed to providing a positive and enriching educational experience for every student. FIND CLASSES NOW!

"You are the creator of your child's life. You are the director and you get to call "action" or "cut" and I can help you do that! Are you ready to take your child's waiver services to an individualized place? Let's Talk! Check Out My Stats Meet Chantel I’m Chantel Paige, an autism mom from the (not always so) boogie down Bronx. I’ve been using self-direction personally for my son, 'Prince' for over a decade now, and when my son’s broker told me I should be a broker –I listened. So here I am, doing something I truly love–helping people! Learn More About Me Hi there ! I'm Chantel the Broker Chantel by the numbers... 120+ Approved Initial Budgets 99% Client Retention 10 FI Partnerships 10+ Years as a Broker 98% Clients With an Autism Diagnosis Chantel STATS (Home) 3% Housing Budgets 16% Adult Cases 20% Teenager Cases 64% Kids Cases 0.91% Clients with a Prader-Willi Syndrome Diagnosis 9% Clients with a Down Syndrome Diagnosis 66% Clients with an ADHD Diagnosis 20% Clients that are non speaking 18% Adult Clients Who Are Employed 100% Effort & Heart Given to Each Case "There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more" — Robert M. Hensel "There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more" — Robert M. Hensel "Very Resourceful" “Chantel has been an invaluable resource for me and my family. Her expertise and support have helped us navigate the complex world of self direction with ease.” - Sarah, Riverdale " She's Really Good " “I highly recommend Chantel to anyone looking for self direction broker. She is professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate.” - John, Manhattan "Very Professional" "You won't go wrong using Chantel as your child's broker. She is very knowledgeable and very professional plus she keeps you up-to-date which I love." -Daria, Bronx "Supportive " “ Chantel has made a real difference in my life. Her support has helped me to live more independently and do things I love” - Sean, New Rochelle "Great Service" “...Easy to book a time to speak, very understanding, goes above and beyond just all-around great service... if you're looking for a broker you won't go wrong choosing Chantel!” - Tom, Brooklyn What Parents Say Read More Testimonials The Journey Towards a Great SD Experience Begins With a Good Broker. Begin Your Journey Today. Book A Time to Talk Check out Self Direction in Action All Videos NP Swimming Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Search videos Search video... Now Playing 00:26 Play Video Now Playing 00:19 Play Video Now Playing 03:48 Play Video Now Playing 00:07 Play Video SD Videos (Classes) "When you judge someone based on a diagnosis you miss out on their abilities, beauty and uniqueness" Blog BLOG A Must-Have Tool for Cooking Safety That No One Talks About! Chantel Paige 2 min read How to Use Xylitol for Your Child's Dental Health (Especially if They Hate Brushing!) Chantel Paige 2 min read Read More Posts I L🩷VE My Clients Load More SD Infographic (Home) Still Have Questions? Let's Talk Partnerships, Certifications and Affiliations

Free Programs & Resources Access-A-Ride MetroCard MetroCard financial support for individuals with disabilities. Assurance Wireless A federal Lifeline Assistance program brought to you by Virgin Mobile. Lifeline is a government benefit program supported by the federal Universal Service Fund. SafeLink Wireless A Lifeline-supported service, a government benefit program provided by TracFone Wireless. ABLEnow Account ABLEnow accounts help individuals with disabilities save money to pay for qualified expenses without being taxed on the earnings – and in most cases, without losing eligibility for certain means-tested benefit programs. NYS myBenefits Prescreen for programs such as HEAP, SNAP, tax credits, and assistance programs Parent to Parent NYS Resources and support for parents of children with special needs (not just OPWDD-eligible individuals). It offers a parent mentorship program. Highly recommend getting on their e-blasts for updates/events/resources. A new initiative –Text4Caregivers – free self-care/management support through text messaging. Sharing is Caring 💖💓 Do you have something that works for your child that you would like to share? Parents just like you are looking for items to help their child be the best they can be too! I have something to share! Report a broken link

Thank you for your referral! Referring a Transfer Client? I have a simple two-step process. Unfortunately, I am not currently accepting housing cases. But if the case doesn't involve housing, follow the steps below to start the process for your participant. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Send Email STEP 1 Refer Only If You Have the Following For the Individual ... Approved Budget Most current approved budget and any amendments in progress DDP2 Must be completed with scores Year To Date Expense Report The most current monthly budget summary highlighting what's been used and what's left. CR-4 Used to verify individuals demographic information. FI or Broker Termination Form Must be signed by the participant/designee, old broker and Fiscal Intermediary as needed. Staff Action Plan If Community Habilitation service is in the budget ***Additional documents will be requested once I accept the case STEP 2 Have all the necessary documents? If you have all the required documents mentioned above, that's great news! Please send me an email that contains the first name of the participant, their parent's name, their county/borough, and phone number. Also, make sure to include the designee in the email. After receiving your email, I'll respond to it, and the designee can decide on a suitable time for us to connect and get to know each other. This way, we can determine if we're a good match and move forward accordingly. Send Email Now What Parents Say “...Chantel has been an invaluable resource for me and my family. Her expertise and support have helped us navigate the complex world of self direction with ease.” - Sarah, Riverdale

Hear From Clients On My Caseload Read their testimonials below! " Very Resourceful" “Chantel has been an invaluable resource for me and my family. Her expertise and support have helped us navigate the complex world of self direction with ease.” - Sarah, Riverdale " She's Really Good" “I highly recommend Chantel to anyone looking for self direction broker. She is professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate.” - John, Manhattan "Very Professional" "You won't go wrong using Chantel as your child's broker. She is very knowledgeable and very professional plus she keeps you up-to-date which I love." -Daria, Bronx "Kind & Loving" “...Chantel made me feel like my daughter was her daughter, she was very invested in making sure that all her needs were met. She is very kind and loving and you just know you're in good hands. ” -Eva, Westchester " Supportive" “ Chantel has made a real difference in my life. Her support has helped me to live more independently and do things I love” - Sean, New Rochelle "Great Service" “...Easy to book a time to speak, very understanding, goes above and beyond just all-around great service... if you're looking for a broker you won't go wrong choosing Chantel!” - Tom, Brooklyn

Looking to grow your business? Explore partnership opportunities with us! Book a call today to discuss how we can collaborate and help your business grow. Partner with Us: Expand Your Reach and Grow Together Let's Talk Welcome! Are you a business ready to expand your reach and connect with more clients? Do you provide valuable services that could help my clients? If so, you’re in the right place! I'm always on the lookout for trusted partners who are ready to elevate their brand and grow alongside us. Book a Call Why Partner with Us? Targeted Exposure: Reach a highly relevant audience eager for services like yours. Increased Brand Awareness: Leverage our platform to get your brand in front of potential clients. Collaborative Growth: Whether you're looking to offer a product, a service, or expertise in your industry, our partnership will create a seamless experience for both our clients and your business. Book a Call Be in Our Newsletter Ready to Take the Next Step? If you’re interested in working with us and want to explore the opportunities we can create together, let’s connect! Book a call with us or complete the contact form below to discuss how we can collaborate and create win-win solutions. First Name Last Name Email Message Submit Thanks for submitting we'll get in touch shortly!

Self-Direction Quiz Take the Quiz Below! Which service, Traditional, or Self-Direction provides the greatest benefit for your child or individual? When transitioning to self-direction, it's important to consider various factors. Utilize my tool to compare options and determine the best fit for your family. What Parents Say “...Chantel has been an invaluable resource for me and my family. Her expertise and support have helped us navigate the complex world of self direction with ease.” - Sarah, Riverdale Read More Testimonials

Meet Chantel the Broker Dedicated OPWDD Self Direction Broker How My OPWDD Journey Began As an autism mom from the (not always so) boogie-down Bronx, I know what it means to "make things happen." Sadly, I also know what it means to have to fight for help and services, both from the education system and the healthcare system. Parents helping parents is a big thing in the special needs community. I received almost all the great info I now have from other parents who are willing to share their knowledge. That includes self-direction . I met another autism mom at a workshop in Westchester, and when she told me all the services, I could get with a Medicaid Waiver –I listened. The next day I contacted an agency, signed the forms and had services within three months. I can't begin to tell you the incredible progress Prince has made in many areas because of the support he received then and now has. Schedule a Time to Talk The Birth of " Chantel the Broker" I never thought to be a self-direction broker until my son Prince's then broker mentioned it to me, "you have all the right qualities to make a great broker," she said. You have passion, you're organized, and you think outside of the box." That was over a decade ago. But even after becoming a certified broker and hearing what my son's old broker said, I still had no intentions of brokering for other families, the idea never even crossed my mind. At first, I brokered my own son's case for about six months until my friends and acquaintances that I told about SD started asking me to be their child's broker, and as they say, the rest is history. So here I am, doing something I love! Read Parent Testimonials Book a Time to Talk My Mission As a Broker Not only am I a broker, but unlike many others (most brokers do not have kids with special needs). I get it! I can relate to the life you live on a deeper level. Because just like you, I’m in the trenches daily juggling the demands of special needs parenting all while trying to keep my head above water while being a mom to my special son, his siblings and a wife to my husband. My mission as a broker is a straightforward one, nothing rocket science about it at all. My purpose is simply to add value to you and your child's life and contribute to your child's success now and in the future. Let's Talk! View My Broker STATS Last Words... I’m always attending workshops, trainings, talks (I even give some myself) doing whatever and going wherever I can to educate myself, so I have the knowledge and learn the tools to give my son the best future possible—and I’m happy to share what I know with you! Everywhere I go, I tell parents about self-direction and the perks of using it; how they can take control and direct their child’s future, further than they ever dreamed possible. If you’re looking for understanding—I get your situation. If you’re looking for direction—I can point you in a good one. If you’re looking for knowledge—I can share what I have with you. If you’re looking for hope—I can show you how to find and create it. If you need a broker, feel free to reach out, I’m here to help. Wishing you all the best on your journey 👣. Chantel the broker Let's Talk FI Agencies I Currently Work With " Very Resourceful" “Chantel has been an invaluable resource for me and my family. Her expertise and support have helped us navigate the complex world of self direction with ease.” - Sarah, Riverdale " She's Really Good " “I highly recommend Chantel to anyone looking for self direction broker. She is professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate.” - John, Manhattan " Very Professional "You won't go wrong using Chantel as your child's broker. She is very knowledgeable and very professional plus she keeps you up-to-date which I love." -Daria, Bronx Read More Testimonials "Supportive " “ Chantel has made a real difference in my life. Her support has helped me to live more independently and do things I love” - Sean, New Rochelle " Great Service" “...Easy to book a time to speak, very understanding, goes above and beyond just all-around great service... if you're looking for a broker you won't go wrong choosing Chantel!” - Tom, Brooklyn What Parents Say