Fello's Self-Directed Services Newsletter 

Welcome to our monthly newsletter! Each month we share news, reminders, and helpful information for people who self-direct.   

Fello Thinking Differently Podcast

In Episode 10 of the Fello Thinking Differently podcast, Marc Weinstein, Fello’s Senior Director of Self-Directed Services, talks about what it means to self-direct your services, including the freedom and challenges that come with it. The episode also features Lauren Sheeder, a Self-Directed Services participant with Fello, who shares how self-direction changed her life and her son’s.

In Episode 10 of the Fello Thinking Differently podcast, Marc Weinstein, Fello's Senior Director of Self-Directed Services, talks about what it means to self-direct your services, including the freedom and challenges that come with it. The episode also features Lauren Sheeder, a Self-Directed Services participant with Fello, who shares how self-direction changed her life and her son's.


Listen Now: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify


If you are interested in sharing your story in a future newsletter, please email SDSParticipants@fello.org with the subject "Spotlight Me."

Self-Direction Team Spolight

Tawanda Gutrick, Senior Stakeholder Relations Specialist headshot wearing a black sweater with a black and white striped shirt

This month, meet Tawanda Gutrick, Senior Stakeholder Relations Specialist.


Tawanda joined Fello in May 2024, bringing her knowledge, ideas, and positive energy to her role. She answers complex questions related to Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Financial Reporting.

 

Tawanda works hard to ensure everyone gets great service. Teamwork and building strong relationships are very important to her. She truly lives by the belief that "teamwork makes the dream work."

Evvie Upgrade

Fello recently added a new feature to the Evvie Portal based on DDA's existing guidance that Family as Staff/Relatives are limited to working 40 hours a week. A relative working for a participant cannot exceed 40 hours per week (the limit is 40 hours per employee).


The Evvie Portal will block approval of shifts for a relative who works over 40 hours in a week. Please be mindful that a shift will need to be adjusted if it causes the weekly total to exceed 40 hours.

 

What will happen if someone tries to approve too many hours?

 

You will see one of these messages:

 

  • If a user is trying to batch Approve or Approval Lock shifts that exceed 40 hours, they will get the following message: "The shifts selected for batch approval lock exceed the allowed limits …"
  • If a user is trying to Approval Lock an individual shift, they will get this message: "The shift selected for approval-lock exceed the weekly allowance of 40 hours for employees classified as Family As Staff. Please adjust the shifts and resubmit."

 

To fix this, you have two options:

  • Select View Shift → Adjust Shift to reduce hours, or
  • Denial Lock the shift (denied shifts don't count toward the 40-hour limit)

 

Resources

  • View instructions for how to adjust a shift, click here.
  • View a video tutorial of how to adjust or deny a shift in the Portal, click here.
  • All FMS Engine (FMSE) resources can be found on the Tools & Technology page of our website.
  • Place a customer service ticket.
  • Call 1.866.252.6871 to speak with a Stakeholder Relations Specialist.

 

Who qualifies as a relative/family as staff?

The DDA's Self-Directed Services Manual says that a "Relative" is a natural or adoptive parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, child, stepchild, sibling, step-sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew. This includes in-laws.

Monthly Webinar

text saying Monthly Webinar with two small computer screens on each side

This month's webinar will cover how to use the Evvie Portal, including how to add and approve shifts.


  • Topic: Evvie Portal
  • When: Thursday, April 23, 2026
  • Time: 1:00PM-2:00 PM
  • How: Zoom (online)


We will email you the Zoom link on April 23, 2026. Everyone is welcome—participants, Coordinators of Community Services (CCSs), Support Brokers, advocates, and other team members.

 

Anyone can join this webinar: Participants, Coordinators of Community Services (CCSs), Support Brokers, advocates, and other team members.

 

Missed a webinar? Find past webinars on our Forms and Resources page under "Webinars and Presentations."

Fello is here to assist with all your Self-Directed Services needs.

Need to view the latest important announcements? Click Here!

Questions about using EVV or using FMSE? Click Here!

Open a Customer Service Ticket

Phone: 866.252.6871

Fax: 866.272.2236