Episode Summary
In this episode of the Autism Blueprint Podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Maria Perrin from Public Partnerships about the invaluable support that self-directed programs can provide for families with autistic individuals. Maria shares her journey, beginning with her child’s autism diagnosis, and we discuss the benefits of self-direction, which empowers families to take control of their care.
We explore the importance of understanding Medicaid and MedWaiver programs, the types of services they cover, and how self-direction can lead to more personalized and consistent care. We also touch on the varying self-direction programs across different states and highlight inspiring stories of families who have successfully utilized these resources. As we wrap up, we emphasize the importance of advocacy, especially in light of potential budget cuts affecting essential services. I encourage listeners to check out the resources available in their states to explore self-direction programs further.
Listeners will learn:
- The importance of understanding Medicaid and MedWaiver programs for families with autistic individuals.
- How self-direction programs allow families to choose their own caregivers, leading to more personalized care.
- The types of services that Medicaid may cover, including therapy options and in-home support.
- The differences in self-direction programs across various states and which states have the most robust offerings.
- Inspiring stories of families who have successfully utilized self-direction programs to improve their quality of life.
- The significance of advocacy in light of potential budget cuts affecting essential services.
- Resources available for families to explore self-direction programs in their state.
Links
Check out Public Partnerships AMAZING website: pplfirst.com
Addressing Health Inequity in Autism: Challenges and Solutions
https://www.facebook.com/publicpartnerships/
Meet Maria Perrin
Maria is a champion for healthcare access and a disability rights advocate. For 20 years, she has worked with Medicaid and Medicare populations focused on developing whole person care solutions. She has implemented and managed hundreds of initiatives across 45 Medicaid programs, Medicare, and state departments of developmental disabilities. Prior to PPL, Maria was Chief Strategy Officer for HMS and Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer for Therapy Brands. Maria is also on the advisory boards of Babson Diagnostics and Perx Health and is a Professor of Creative Business Leadership at Savannah College of Art and Design.
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Check out the video version of this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/@autismblueprint
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