Gracefull Progress

Adult Autism Supports Coordination

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ABOUT GRACEFULL PROGRESS

Gracefull Progress is a Supports Coordination Agency founded in 2011 by Lori Hulvey whose personal experiences with Autism Spectrum Disorders sparked a desire to create a small, person-centered agency.

Gracefull Progress is unique in that they only serve Adult Autism Waiver clients, allowing the agency to focus all of their time and training specifically on Autism developments within and outside of the waiver. Gracefull Progress’ Supports Coordinators carry smaller caseloads than most so that the highest quality services can be provided.

Gracefull Progress believes that everyone should live a life that is as fulfilling and independent as possible. With our extensive experience and knowledge of community supports, services, and resources, we can help you and your family achieve your goals!

Meet Our Team

OUR TEAM

Collectively, the Supports Coordinators working under Gracefull Progress have close to 40 years of experience in the social services field.

LORI HULVEYExecutive Director

JAMIE TOMASKOAssociate Director

CHARLES POPESenior Coordinator

Learn More About What We Do

WHAT WE DO & WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

Gracefull Progress is a Supports Coordination agency for the Adult Autism Waiver. In the Medicaid-based waiver system, all individuals who are eligible for and wish to access services through the Adult Autism Waiver must select or be assigned to a Supports Coordination Agency. The Supports Coordination Agency that you select will then assign a specific Supports Coordinator to work with the individual and his/her family to develop the Individualized Service Plan (ISP). After the ISP is complete and services have been chosen/implemented, Gracefull Progress will then monitor your quality of services via in person visits four times per year, and telephone contact monthly (at a minimum).

SPECIALIZE IN AUTISM WAIVER

Unlike other agencies that provide supports coordination services to multiple waivers, Gracefull Progress prides itself on serving only those individuals on the Adult Autism Waiver. By focusing on one waiver, it gives our supports coordinators the ability to be much more familiar with the services and supports both inside and outside of the waiver system that will best support you and your needs.

INDIVIDUALIZED CARE

There is a famous saying: “If you know one person with Autism, you know one person with Autism.” We recognize that an Autism diagnosis is only one facet of someone’s life. Other co-occurring medical or mental health diagnoses, family dynamics, geographical location (to name a few) all determine the specific needs of a participant. We recognize that each individual is truly that – an individual with needs specific to them, and we work hard to ensure those needs are met.

SMALLER CASELOADS

Many larger agencies’ supports coordinators serve double the amount of participants in the same amount of time. This leads to a higher turnover rate, more errors, and the inability to spend an extended amount on any one particular case or need. Our caseloads are designed to be smaller so that more time can be devoted to each participant’s needs to ensure they are being fully served under the waiver.

Get Started

GETTING STARTED

What is the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW)?

The Adult Autism Waiver is administered through Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) (formerly known as BAS or Bureau of Autism Services). It is one of two programs in Pennsylvania specifically designed to help adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) participate in their communities in the way that they want to, based on their identified needs. Gracefull Progress serves as a supports coordination agency for the AAW. Services are provided for persons living in Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Carbon and Schuylkill Counties.

What is the goal of the Adult Autism Waiver?

The goal of the Adult Autism Waiver is to:

Increase the person’s ability to care for themselves
Decrease family/caregiver stress
Increase quality of life for both the person and the family
Provide specialized supports to adults with ASD based on need
Help adults with an ASD reach their employment goals
Support more involvement in community activities
Decrease crisis episodes and psychiatric hospitalizations

What is Supports Coordination?

Supports Coordination involves the location, coordination, and monitoring of needed services and supports. The Supports Coordinator (SC) assists participants in obtaining and coordinating needed waiver and other State plan services, as well as housing, medical, social, vocational, and other community services, regardless of funding source. The service includes both the development of an ISP and ongoing supports coordination.

Who Is Eligible for the Adult Autism Waiver?

In order to be eligible for the Adult Autism Waiver, a person must be age 21 or older, a U.S. citizen or qualified alien, a resident of Pennsylvania at the time of enrollment, and meet certain diagnostic, functional and financial eligibility criteria (listed below). Priority is given to people not already receiving state-funded, or state and federally-funded, home and community-based services.

Eligibility Requirements:

Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autistic Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, PDD-NOS, Asperger Syndrome or Rett Disorder)
Meet Intermediate Care Facility level of care