Agency with Choice
Agency with Choice (AWC) at the Barber National Institute is a program that allows individuals and their families the ability to self-direct their own services. This program gives individuals a greater choice and control over where, when, and how their services are delivered. In addition, Agency with Choice permits individuals and families to choose and refer the staff they would like to work with. This enables individuals and families to always know who is coming into their home and working with them. Families are also able to determine the pay rate for their staff from the established wage range set by the state for the authorized services.
The main goal of Agency with Choice is to enable individuals to live on their own or to remain with their family in their own home while choosing how they wish to use their services.
Self-directing your own services can be challenging at times. Agency with Choice and the individual/family form a joint relationship to assist in managing their authorized services. Every family who is enrolled into the program is assigned an AWC Family Liaison that will provide one-on-one support in managing the services and staffing.
The Barber National Institute's AWC program offers many services that individuals and families can choose from, including:
- In Home and Community Supports
- Companion
- Respite
- Supports Broker
- Camps
- Transportation
- Home and Vehicle Adaptations
- Specialized Supplies
- Homemaker/Chore
Agency with Choice is available to individuals with an intellectual disability or autism diagnosis who live on their own or in the home of a family member. Individuals interested in enrolling in the program must receive waiver or base funding and live in Erie County. For more information, contact Jackie Zacherl, Director of Family Focused Services, 814-878-4088.
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