To Whom It Concerns:

I rely on service facilitation for my Special Needs son to navigate the complex system of services and support he needs to live safely, independently, and with dignity. I currently have the right to choose my own service facilitator for my son, and assigning a broker would take away that important choice and control over his services. The relationship my son, attendant(s) and I have with my service facilitator is built on trust, understanding, and knowledge of his individual needs. We have been fortunate to have the same Facilitator for almost 10 years. This relationship provides consistency, guidance, and advocacy that cannot simply be replaced by assigning someone new. A broker would no nothing about my son or his unique needs, nor would they care to learn. He would become another number, not a person with very special needs. My choice of provider is an essential part of my son's independence and self-determination. I urge you to consider the real and lasting impact this decision will have on individuals and families who depend on these services. Please protect our right to choose the providers who know our children, understand their needs, and help all of us live our best lives. My son's life is difficult enough; there are so many hoops to jump through with almost everything in his life. Our Facilitator makes a huge difference in our lives, helping us with many things, allowing us to have more time together and less stress. 

Please take my comments and the comments of the many other families and individuals who rely on our Service Facilitator to heart. We need to keep our Service Facilitators, not go to a Support Broker.

Thank you,

Cheryl L Travelstead, Employer of Record/Legal Guardian/Mother of Tiernan Travelstead