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As the mother of a child with autism and other special needs. Like you, I understand the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for our kids, especially when it comes to learning new skills like cooking. We want them to be independent, but that fear is real! Especially in the kitchen—at least for me. Recently, I discovered a fantastic tool that I believe could be invaluable for other families: the Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket . I remember when my son was 8, and we started teaching him how to make eggs on a hot plate— this one , to be exact! He was eager to learn, but we wanted to ensure he was safe. My husband, his DSP, and I decided that starting with a hot plate was best. It allowed him to learn a valuable skill while giving me (notice I didn't say my husband, because he'd let that kid do anything without a second thought 🤣🤣) peace of mind, knowing he was cooking safely. Fast forward to now: that 8-year-old is a 13-year-old—an easily distracted 13-year-old—who wants to cook more than just eggs! He has graduated from the hot plate to the stove, learning to make mac and cheese, bacon, rice, chicken, and more. The Prepared Hero Emergency Fire Blanket has eased my mind, allowing him to explore cooking. It’s designed to smother flames and provide a quick response in case of a fire, making it an essential addition to any kitchen—especially for budding chefs. Having the blanket nearby gives us both peace of mind and allows him to focus on learning without anxiety about potential kitchen hazards. I highly recommend considering the fire blanket as part of your kitchen safety plan. It’s a small investment that can have a significant impact, providing both protection and peace of mind as our children navigate the world of cooking. Plus, it may even be covered under your OTPS Health and Safety or Health & Independence budget lines! If you’re looking for ways to enhance kitchen safety and empower your child, this fire blanket might be the perfect addition. Let’s not hold our kids back out of fear; instead, let’s equip them with the tools they need to thrive in the kitchen safely! Heck, I feel safer knowing it's there when I'm cooking 🤣 If you already have the fire safety blanket or decide to get one, please come back and share your experience. I’m sure others would love to hear about it! Thank you for reading! I hope you found this information helpful. Please feel free to share it with others who can use it.  Happy cooking! -Chantel

Hey there! If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the same boat I once found myself in, trying to figure out how to keep your child’s teeth clean when they absolutely hate brushing and hate going to the dentist for their cleanings. My son has autism, and I remember when getting him to brush his teeth was a daily battle (still a battle though 😒). But guess what? My dentist told me about something that really helps—xylitol. It’s been a game-changer for us, so I wanted to share how you can use it too. So, What’s Xylitol? Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute found in fruits and veggies. Unlike regular sugar, it doesn’t cause tooth decay. In fact, it helps reduce plaque and prevent cavities. Sounds like magic, right? Here’s how it can help: Reduces Plaque: Xylitol stops the bad bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities. Neutralizes Acids: It helps keep the pH level in the mouth neutral, so the enamel stays strong. Boosts Saliva: More saliva means fewer food particles and bacteria hanging around. Totally Safe and Natural: No need to worry about artificial stuff—xylitol is all-natural. How to Sneak Xylitol into Your Kid’s Routine Here are some ways to get xylitol working for your child’s teeth, even if they run from a toothbrush: Xylitol Chewing Gum: If your kid is old enough and okay with chewing gum, this is a great option. It’s fun and effective for cleaning teeth between brushings. This is the one we used the most 😊. Xylitol Mints or Candies: My son loves these too! He thinks he's getting one over on me and getting candy, but little does he know it’s helping his teeth. Just keep an eye on how many they’re eating. These ones are great to put in your purse or their backpack! Xylitol Sprays and Wipes: For younger kids or those with sensory issues, xylitol sprays and wipes are lifesavers. You can gently wipe their teeth and gums, hopefully without a fuss. Tips from One Parent to Another Start Slowly: Introduce xylitol products a little at a time. See how your child reacts and go from there. Check with the Dentist: Always a good idea to talk to your child’s dentist before starting something new. They can give you the best advice. Be Consistent: Regular use is key. To get the most benefit, try to make xylitol a part of your daily routine. I give my son a couple a day and tell him to eat them after he has lunch at school. Make it Fun: Turn dental care into a fun activity. Use colorful and tasty xylitol products to make it more appealing. Final Thoughts Keeping our kids’ teeth healthy can be tricky, especially when brushing is a challenge. But xylitol has made a big difference for us, and I hope it can help you, too. It really is a simple, natural way to protect their teeth from cavities and decay without the daily struggle of brushing. This is the brand I use with my kiddos, and they love it. Give it a try, and hopefully, it keeps your kiddo's smile healthy! Happy brushing!

It's never too early to start thinking about your child’s future. And you can use OPWDD's self-direction program to make that future a reality! Planning ahead can help you determine what you want for your child and what is realistic for your self-direction budget. Use these tips to get started on creating the budget of your dreams. Check your child’s LOC. At the start of your OPWDD journey, a Level of Care Eligibility Determination Form (a.k.a LCED or LOC) was created for your child. These are updated annually, review the form, learn what the questions and answers mean. This can and will help you determine what kind of services and supports your child may need. It also gives you a chance to potentially make any necessary changes before pursuing self-direction. The first step is making sure all forms are an accurate reflection of your child’s needs. Make sure the DDP-2 is correct. First let me say, it's important to have realistic expectations when pursuing self-direction. At the start of your OPWDD journey, a DDP-2 profile was done with you for your child. Learn what your answers mean and what their score is. If the profile does not seem to reflect your child, or you weren’t a part of completing it, consider asking your care manager to redo the DDP-2. Think about your child as they are today, not how you want them to be, not how you think they are but, where they really are… be honest. Now is not the time to make your child seem better than they are. DDP-2 scores are created for your childs adaptive, behavior and health areas and these are what determines your childs budgets PRA amount! Identify your wants versus your child’s needs. What you want in a budget can be quite different than what your child needs. Before pursuing a self-direction budget, create a must-have list of services and supports your child can't go without. For example, if you have a large family, you may need a specific number of hours of respite so you can spend time with your other kids. While a want may be that you may really want a cell phone, a tablet for your child, or a membership to an elite private club; although nice to have, your child can also live without these things. Choose your ideal broker. There are many factors that you should consider when choosing a broker. Along with considering whether you prefer a male or female and whether they are hands-on or hands-off, consider how experienced a broker is. Also, consider the FI agencies they are associated with. For example, if a broker is only associated with one FI and their fringe rate is 35%, you’re stuck using that FI. It can be more expensive to use one FI versus another. Make your self-direction process as smooth as possible by planning ahead. Following these tips can lead to a happier self-direction experience!

I love being charged fees! Said no one ever. Paying some kind of fee is like taking a trip to the dentist–it’s a part of life, like paying taxes and tolls or rent, but hey we don’t have to be happy about it. FI fringe rate fees are no exception. Seasoned SD families know FI fringe rates are part of the budget experience. But it’s easy for new self-direction participants to overlook the impact an FI’s fringe rate will have on their budgets bottom line. Let’s cut through some of the confusion about fringe rates, what they are, what they do etc. so you don’t make a mistake that could cost you hundreds–if not thousands–of dollars each budget year! What are fringe rates? An FI’s (Fiscal Intermediary) fringe rates are almost exclusively based on employee-related costs. They include hiring and retaining your staff. For example, you might choose to compensate your staff with benefits like health and dental insurance, and you might provide them with holiday pay or vacation time that’s the fringe rate at work baby! Do I really need to pay fringe rates? I’ll keep it short and sweet for you. Yes! Everyone who has an SD budget and chooses to self-hire staff must pay a fringe rate. How do I know how much I will pay in FI fringe rates? The amount you pay in fringe rates is based on two things: your chosen FI’s fringe rate and your self-hired staff’s pay rate and hours. The higher the pay rate and hours, the higher your total fringe fee. And, since each FI sets its own fringe rate, the amount you pay depends on who your FI is. It’s also important to remember that fringe rates aren’t etched in stone either, so a fringe rate that starts high will more than likely only increase. How much is too much when it comes to fringe rates? When you’re pursuing self-direction, you’re probably thinking more about the staff you will hire or the classes you will put your child in rather than how much you’ll have to pay in fringe rates. Trust me I get it! Fringe rates aren’t fun to think about. Still, if you forget to factor them in, that budget PRA might not look so great when your $25 an hour 40hr work week staff has eaten up all of your child’s budget! When it comes to picking an FI based on fringe rates, I recommend that you figure out what you’re getting for that fee. Is your staff getting holiday pay? Paid time off? Sick days? In other words, if that FI’s fringe rate isn’t offering real benefits, you need to look elsewhere! (🎶🎶 what have you done for me lately oooh ooooh oh yeah 🎶🎶) If you’re asking “well Chantel what do you suggest?” And I had to give you a number, I personally don’t like going above a 25% fringe rate (even for my own kiddos budget.) Here’s an example of why: Let’s say Jack and Jill are weighing their options between 2 FI’s for their child’s self-direction budget. Both FI’s offer sick days, holiday pay, and paid vacation for staff. For both of them, staff will be paid $20/hr and work $40/hrs a week @ 52wks/per year. The only difference between the two FI's is their fringe rates. FI ABC is 25% and the rate for FI 123 is 27%. You might be thinking, 2% isn’t that big of a deal Chantel. Oh, but it is! Jack and Jill's total annual staff salary with FI ABC would be $104,000. With FI 123 at the 27% fringe rate, their annual total staff salary rises to $105,664. If Jack and Jill chose the FI with the higher fringe rate, that 2% difference means they’d ‘give up' an extra $1,464 each budget year. You can probably think of some other things you could do for your child with that kind of money! I know I can! Do I still have to pay a fringe benefit after my budget is approved? There’s nothing more exciting than getting your budget approved, walking out of the launch meeting with the help and support your child needs, and knowing that you were the CEO of your child’s business. It just feels complete. But does that mean you’re also finished with paying FI fringe rate fees? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you still have to pay the FI’s fringe rate in your budget even after it’s approved. Sorry, this is not a one-time fee! Well that's all folks! I hope I was able to clear things up for you. If you learned something don't be stingy, please share with someone who could use this info! See you on the next post! Chantel

Let’s be honest apps have been improving people’s daily lives since what feels like forever. I mean take a look at your phone right now, how many apps do you have? I’m ashamed to say how many I do 🤐 And if I’m being honest, I can’t survive without some of my apps! They keep this gal on time, organized, and prepared! I bet you if you name something you need help with right now, there’s more than likely an app for it. Plus if you’re a special needs parent like me, you’re always on the hunt for the ones that are specifically designed to assist individuals with autism. If your child's Life Plan has a speech goal, a communication goal, a social goal, etc. Here are 6 autism apps you probably never heard of but you need to know about… One more support to help you get closer to achieving your goals! Furthermore, some of these might even be able to be covered in your child’s self-direction budget! Did I hear someone say win-win! 1. LetMeTalk Cost: Free iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch app Age Recommendation: 12+ Android and IOS Why it’s great: A free ( yes I said free!) AAC talker app that supports communication in all areas of life providing a voice to everyone. LetMeTalk enables you to line up images in a meaningful way allowing others to read the row of images as a sentence. 2. AAC Bestie Cost: Free (with in-app purchases) Age Recommendation: 4+ iPad and iPod Touch App Why it’s great: AAC Bestie is a text to speech application that verbalizes what a user has typed or selected from a list of pre-programmed phrases. The user is provided with a choice of different voices (male vs female, etc.). Also, the rate and pitch of each voice can be adjusted allowing the user to further personalize their voice. AAC Bestie contains a growing list of basic pre-programmed phrases such as, “How are you?” which speed up communication. 3. Todo Visual Cost: $12.99 Age Recommendation: 4+ iPad, iphone and Apple Watch app Why it’s great: Todo Visual Schedule is the first wearable picture-based scheduler designed with children and adults with autism in mind. The intuitive user interface makes it easy to create a picture-based tailored daily schedule. Empower your child or yourself to independently keep track of scheduled activities. 4. Choiceworks Cost: $0.99 Age Recommendation: 4+ iPad App Why it's great: The Choiceworks app is an awesome learning tool for helping children complete daily routines (morning, day & night), understand and control their feelings and improve their waiting skills (taking turns and not interrupting). Not only is it easy to use but it was created with the support of leading hospitals and child development specialists, it was specifically designed for caregivers to provide clear and consistent support to foster a child’s independence, positive behavior, and emotional regulation at home and in the community! 5. Speech Blubs Cost: 7 Day Free Trial before Subscription Age Recommendation: 1+ Offers iPad App Why it’s great: Speech Blubs uses video modeling to create an immersive learning environment, allowing children to observe their peers on video as they learn. I found this to be very helpful with my son! Plus the experts say that when children watch their peers in real-time, their mirror neurons fire up. And it doesn't hurt that it's scientifically proven to be highly effective in speech development, as confirmed by the University of California, Los Angeles study published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association...🎶🎤 I'm all about that science bout that science no guessing 🎶🎶…sing it with me! 6. Proloquo2Go Cost: $249.99 Age Recommendation: 4+ Offers iPad & Apple Watch Apps Why it’s great: Simply tap images. type words. speak. Proloquo2Go is that easy! This easy to use communication app is for people who currently do not speak or need help being understood. Featuring natural sounding voices, including real children’s voices, Proloquo2Go is a simple but powerful AAC tool. Plus it's fully customizable and can be used to build language skills while growing with a person’s communication level. All that to say it's great for both beginning and advanced communicators. The app is used by people with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and others with speech difficulties. And there it is! I hope you've found something that will work for your child. If you have, let me know below in the comment! Or if you have an app that's super awesome I want to know that as well! One last thing. Please share with someone( or people) you know that could use this information. See you on the next post! -Chantel

...and create a solid foundation for their work with your child When you hire new staff, you want to make sure they feel welcome….and happy about their decision to work for you. That time after they’ve been cleared by the FI but before the start date with your child is such a valuable window for you to set a foundation. Right now, do you just let your staff come in and start their first day? Or do you have a system in place to make the most of that window before the first day of work? If you don’t have a system, you’re not alone. I’ve met many families who complain about “the lack of good staff” or “the lack of educated staff who knows about autism” etc. When I get a family, who has had a terrible staffing experience, the Fortune 500 System I’ve created (and use with my own child’s staff) is always at the top of my list to have them implement. In my opinion, that system is absolutely critical to the success of any child or individual with special needs — no matter if you are doing traditional services or self-direction. You don’t have to use that specific system but just have some form of a system. Because more often than not, it’s something that’s neglected in families who receive traditional OPWDD services and self-direction, and it really makes a difference. If you don't have a system well today is your day to change that: commit to creating a surprisingly powerful tool: The Employee Welcome Packet. Interested? Read on to find out exactly how to create an employee welcome packet that creates a great first impression — and ultimately lightens or eliminates any staffing issues you may have during the self-direction process and beyond! What is an Employee Welcome Packet? Let’s start with the basics. When I say employee welcome packet, for most families I’m talking about a 2- or 3-page PDF that contains important information about the work you expect your staff to do with and for your child as well as the rules they must follow and/or your no-no’s, heck no’s, hell no’s 😉. I recommend creating a master version and customizing it with the staff name and agreed upon details. You should give it to your staff immediately after they have been cleared to work by the FI (Fiscal Intermediary), but before the first day they actually begin working. Your employee welcome packet is and can be many things: it’s partly a welcome wagon, part staff roadmap, part FAQ. And while it may sound simple, it’s actually a very powerful tool for guiding your new staff and starting your relationship off on the right foot. Because as I teach in the Fortune 500 System, with self-direction you are the head honcho, the end all be all, the buck stops with you…you get the picture! If you’re reading this, you probably are over staffing issues and want to have someone great for your child. That’s good cause that means you’re ready to tackle the first goal of the employee welcome Packet: p 1. Manage Expectations …both yours and theirs Often times staff come into the relationship (yes this is a relationship) with a lot of unanswered questions. Many of them are around the mechanics of working together: How often will I need to work on a goal? Can I use my phone while working? How quickly will I get a raise? This section of your employee welcome packet tells them exactly what to expect. Your mission: Make expectations crystal clear. How you’ll do it: Think about all the things that has irked you with past staff or babysitters or even family members who take care of your child... Ready? do you have your list together? Now write... include basics like your take on being late, how many late or no show without calling are they allowed? What constitute probation and or termination? Then cover the expectations you’ll have for the client: attending mandatory trainings, no phone while working (if that’s a no-no for you), and other items critical to your child and family dynamic. Tough as it is, now is also the time to address the potential consequences of not meeting those expectations. Specifically, you’ll want to convey that not meeting them could impact their pay rate, remaining employed, or both. Feeling hesitant? That’s common — I get it. Many families find this part tricky to navigate. It can feel like a “buzzkill” to bring up problems before they occur. Well, I get it — but I still recommend doing it. And I say this after not only doing this myself and maintain my staff for the past 5 years but also from helping other families get themselves out of some very sticky situations with staff and implementing this system only to see success. It’s much easier to deliver your “rules” under the sunny skies of the start of a new job — when routines and relationships are still forming — than it is to explain the rules long after you’re deep into trouble with "bad staff." You’re right to be cautious, though. Take your time fine-tuning your policies now, with special attention to tone. You can even add a dash of humor here, if it matches your personality (Like my son’s packet is titled Welcome to Nasaiah’s World he’s grown up from the street”. If you click the link you'll understand 😄 2. Ease your client into the new processes Think about things your new staff needs to learn in order to work with your child effectively. Will they need to learn a new software? A certain procedure? Your in-house color-coding system for schedules? You don’t want their confusion to create bad experiences when they’re just getting started. Because honestly the difference between a "good staff" and a "bad staff " can be as simple as setting the expectation, training and follow through. Your mission: Teach them everything they’ll need to work with your child. Let’s be honest, do you want to start a new job and just be thrown in there—I’m sure your answer is no! How you’ll do it: First, map out the important things for your staff to know. Make special note of any areas that are unique to the way your child operates or likes things. If your new staff will have to learn how to use a speech device, offer them an orientation video (or annotated screenshots) and links to resources. If it’s extra-complex, describe the training session you’ll schedule with them so they know what to expect. I can't say this enough, DO NOT expect that things are "common sense" and your staff will/should automatically know certain things. I guarantee you that you will be setting yourself up for a bad staffing experience and bad staff experiences are like pimples who the heck wants those! 3. Final step, review & assemble: Once you’ve got everything drafted, it’s time to actually assemble your employee welcome packet. Keep in mind that you’ll need to customize parts of it for each new staff. For the “standard” content, you’ll want to be sure to: Finalize, organize and proofread your content. Have your broker review it to make sure you are not asking your staff to do anything that is against the FI, OPWDD or medicaid's guidelines; as well as for errors. And there you have it! Follow these steps in this post, and you can create an employee welcome packet that can truly enhance your relationships with new staff and ultimately set your staff, your child and yourself up for success! The icing on top is that your child will benefit because a happy staff is a good staff, is a staff that treats your child well, is a staff you can trust, is a staff that will stick around for a long time, is a staff…well you get the picture! Do you have an employee welcome packet for your staff? Has your broker ever mentioned one to you? Post pics of your employee welcome packet below, I would love to see it!

Hey there, wonderful readers! 👋 I'm Chantel, the Broker, and I am beyond excited to welcome you to the heart and soul of my SD blog. Why am I here, you ask? Well, let me spill the beans. This blog is my little corner of the OPWDD, self-direction universe, where I want to create a supportive space for families. I've embarked on this journey because, parenting special needs is complicated, and information is the most essential thing. Here's the scoop on what you can expect: ✨ Helpful Tips: From navigating the chaos of FI rules to managing the mystical world of SD budgets I've got your back with practical tips that have saved my sanity and might just save yours too! ✨ Resource Sharing: Have you ever stumbled upon a gem of a resource and thought, "Why didn't I know about this sooner?" That's what I'm here for! I'll be sharing the tried-and-true resources that have crossed my path, hoping they make your family life a tad easier. ✨ Real Talk: Let's keep it real, shall we? Self-Direction is a rollercoaster, and I'll share the highs, the lows, the changes, and the loop-de-loops. You're not alone in this crazy adventure. So, why hit that subscribe button, you ask? Well, it's not because I'm going to flood your inbox with pushy emails. Nope, it's not my style. Subscribing means you're joining a community where support, laughter, and a sprinkle of chaos are the norm. Let's navigate this wild, wonderful journey of self-direction together. Ready to dive in? Hit subscribe, and let's get started! 🚀✨ Here's to creating a supportive resource for families, one blog post at a time. Cheers, Chantel