Turning a Cliff into a Path Forward:
Potential Receives Approval for
Three More Waivers
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Last year Potential received approval from the state of Pennsylvania to offer three additional waivers.This is wonderful news that will allow us to serve more people, including those with intellectual disabilities.
We are excited to share this news just a few months after celebrating the first graduating class of the Springtime School. You see, while some students “graduate” from our program because they have progressed to a greater level of independence, others have reached the age where government funding is no longer mandatory. No longer guaranteed services, many young adults on the spectrum will need to apply for Medicaid (medical assistance) Waivers through their state in order to secure them. Otherwise, their continuum of care could be broken.
Sometimes referred to as “the cliff,” this is that point at which your adult child with autism, now that he or she is 21 years of age or older, is no longer eligible to receive special education services through the school system.
At Potential, our goal is to help families find a path forward long before they find themselves at this cliff. Since 2009, Potential has offered services covered under the Adult Autism Waiver for adults up to age 64. With the addition of three additional waivers, we can expand our services.
In this issue, we explore these waivers and what they mean to our adult program. We also share insights from our summer intern, Sarah Mayer, who has been helping us get ready for our biggest fundraiser of the year — the Sixth Annual Car Show for Autism. Her departing sentiment? Potential is an awesome place doing really important work, but they need volunteers to help make this year’s car show the most successful ever!
Please consider volunteering your time that day. It’s a great way to support Potential while having a great day out with friends and neighbors. And if you know of any high school students looking for community service hours, there are plenty of opportunities at Potential. We’d love to hear from you. You can view all volunteer information for the car show by CLICKING HERE.
We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer. We look forward to seeing you this fall!
Sincerely,
Kristine Quinby, President and CEO of Potential
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Potential Is Hosting Virtual Hiring Events |
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Find out what it’s like to be a part of Potential’s dynamic clinical team by joining us for a virtual information session in August.
It’s a great opportunity to learn more about our company and open positions. We will also be holding live virtual interviews!
Thursday, August 11, 2 pm to 3 pm
Tuesday, August 16, 10 am to 11 am
Wednesday, August 17, 2 pm to 3 pm
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No experience necessary. Tremendous growth potential.
We are always looking for energetic, flexible and, above all else, compassionate individuals who enjoy working with children and want to make a difference in the community. Does that sound like you or someone you know? View our careers page or contact us for more information.
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A Career at Potential
We strive to provide a stable, nurturing, and fun environment that allows our staff to grow personally and professionally through training, supervision, and support, while earning a good living.
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Are You Ready?
The 6th Annual Car Show for Autism
Saturday, September 24, 1 to 5 pm
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Where can you go to see cool cars and trucks, entertain your kids, eat great food, hear live music, see old friends, make new ones, win a trophy, promote your business for a small fee, and show support for a great cause? Potential's Annual Car Show for Autism is a fun, family-friendly event with all the good feels.
Proceeds from the event support Potential's efforts to end the waitlist for adults and children in our community seeking quality autism services.
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Volunteers & Sponsors Needed |
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Over the years, Potential's Car Show for Autism has become extremely popular thanks to the tireless efforts and generosity of our volunteers and sponsors. To ensure our continued success, please consider helping out.
"As an intern at Potential this summer, I had a chance to work with their wonderful team," says Sarah Mayer, a pre-med student at Bryn Mawr College. "I can't say enough about the organization and I encourage anyone to get involved with the car show, especially high school students who need service hours to graduate, like I did when I was at George School. It's a really fun way to support a great organization and important cause."
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"Volunteering (at the car show) is a really fun way to support a great organization and important cause."
–Sarah Mayer
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How to Support the Show
Please consider becoming an event sponsor or trophy sponsor, participating as a vendor, donating your time and talent to our performance stage, advertising in our program map, signing on as an event volunteer, or making a tax-deductible donation to Potential.
Register Your Vehicle
Become a Trophy or Event Sponsor
Sign Up to Volunteer
Sign Up to Be a Vendor
Advertise with Us
Can’t Make the show? Make a Donation here.
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If you are interested in being a food truck vendor, please reach out directly to [email protected]. |
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Our Online Raffle Is in Full Swing |
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Don’t Miss Your Chance to Win
Playset Valued at $2,000
Thanks to a generous donation by Sam’s Club, we are selling raffle tickets for a beautiful Backyard Discovery Skyfort II with wave slide cedar swing set, valued at $2,000.
Your purchase benefits Potential and helps us end the waitlist for quality autism services in our region.
The raffle winner will be notified by phone and announced on our social media on Monday, September 26, 2022. The winner will be responsible for picking up, loading and transporting the playset from Potential, located at 170 Pheasant Run, Newtown, PA.
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What Is a Waiver?
This is, of course, a question we get every month, if not every day. We are breaking down the question in this issue because it is such an important part of any discussion we have on adult autism services.
Since 2009, Potential has been able to offer services to adults—defined here as over 21 years of age—through Medicaid’s Adult Autism Waiver (AAW). Potential has since received approval for three additional waivers—the Consolidated Waiver, the Community Living Waiver and the Person/Family Directed Support Waiver—to expand services to adults with autism and intellectual disabilities (ID).
Broadly speaking, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, “waivers offer an array of services and benefits, such as choice of qualified providers, due process and health and safety assurances.” The term “waiver” refers to the federal government “waiving” certain Medical Assistance (“Medicaid”) rules to allow people in Pennsylvania to receive services closer to home.
The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) administers home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities based on financial and other eligibility requirements.
“Think of a waiver like insurance that covers the cost of specific services. What’s important to remember is that once your child turns 21, and preferably earlier, you need to seek the appropriate waivers and apply for them. It doesn’t happen automatically once your child ages out of special education benefits. The sooner you start the process, the smoother your child’s transition to adult services will be,” says Emily Hammer, Quality Assurance Manager.
“Parents will come to us and ask, ‘My child is turning 21, now what?’” she continues. “We can’t get them the waiver; we can only guide them to the right resources and help them with the process. Ideally, this process should begin when the child is about 14 or 15 years old.”
For more information or a consultation, contact us by clicking on the link below.
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Adult Program Coordinator Tanya Hough
Guides Families to the Next Level of Care
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“Everything we do at Potential is about the client. That is what makes Potential so special,” says Tanya Hough, Adult Program Coordinator. We are recognizing Tanya as one of our “People of Potential” in August for all she does that is so special.
Since joining Potential in 2019, Tanya has been overseeing clinical and day-to-day operations of the adult service programs as well as developing plans, training staff, and setting up programs for individuals with behavior goals. “I make sure everything is in place so that the adult service program can operate efficiently,” she says. Yet, what she finds most satisfying is being part of a great team working together to expand much-needed services for adults with autism and intellectual disabilities.
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“I worked with kids (in this field), then moved and enjoyed working with adults. It became my niche,” she continues. “In general, I don’t think adults get enough attention.” She feels fortunate to be in a role where she can focus on a population that is sometimes underserved. “I also feel really lucky to work with such a great group of folks, not only the families we serve, but also the adult services staff, who don’t get enough recognition for the work that they do … I would like to give a shout-out to them.” |
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“It is always rewarding to see young adult clients start to demonstrate independence; they are taking over and don't need you as much."
–Tanya Hough,
Adult Program Coordinator, Potential
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Catch Up with More People of Potential on Social Media
We’ll be featuring new members of our community and staff who are making an impact on the lives of people with autism. Look for #PeopleofPotentialInc on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn on Wednesdays.
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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES |
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Join us as we recognize these employees for their achievements on their anniversaries. |
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Katrina Biglin
Registered Behavior Technician
"Katrina comes to work each day with a huge smile on her face, and inspires both her students and coworkers.”
Riley McDevitt
Registered Behavior Technician
“Riley has great problem-solving skills and always makes the best decisions for her clients.”
Jim Young
Registered Behavior Technician
“Jim encompasses all of our values of compassion and respect and is always the first one to help without ever even being asked.”
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Rachel Zbarsky
Teacher
“Rachel always starts the day with excitement and a positive attitude, and never hesitates to assist with anything needed.”
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Chrissy Desjardins
Biller
“Chrissy goes above and beyond to ensure our clients are getting the services and hours that they need.”
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Holly Cunningham
Office Manager
“Without Holly, we truly would not be able to provide the quality of service that we pride ourselves on in our Newtown clinic.”
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Lauren Gervasio
Occupational Therapist
“Lauren is such a bright light to Potential and graces the hallway with her smiling face.”
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We wish these team members a very happy birthday this August. Here’s to another year of health and happiness! |
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Alexis Mullins
Rachel Landers
Chelsey Ringold Hebling
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Courtney Mahn
Lauren Goodwin
Jordyn Gaber
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At Potential, our vision is to create a world where every person with autism can live a successful life of value. Achieving that goal doesn’t happen easily or overnight. Helping adults and children with autism gain the skills they need to learn and succeed requires hard work, evidence-based treatments, and a committed support network. Since our founding in 2006, Potential has set itself apart by providing all these things and more.
Potential has more than 200 children on its waitlist. With your support, we can hire the staff we need to provide the services and personalized programs that help children and adults with autism realize their full potential.
Help us end the waitlist.
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