Agency with Choice
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
What is the Agency With Choice Program?
The program allows individuals in self-direction to keep their current staff, but the staff becomes an employee of Elevate Spectrum. Elevate Spectrum is added as a provider in the individual’s self-directed budget and provides services such as Personal Supports, Community Development, and Ongoing Job Supports.
The staff continues supporting the individual as before. The only change is that Elevate Spectrum becomes the employer and handles payroll, taxes, and employment responsibilities.
Does the individual leave self-direction?
No. The individual remains in self-direction and continues to control their services, schedule, and choice of staff. The only change is that Elevate Spectrum is added as a provider and becomes the employer.
Do we have to change our staff?
No. You keep your current staff. The individual still chooses who supports them. They simply become an employee of Elevate Spectrum instead of being directly employed by the individual.
Why would a family choose this program?
Many participants and families choose this program because they want:
- Fair wages ($30+ per hour) and benefits for their staff
- More stability and consistency in services
- Payroll and employment handled by a provider
- Workers’ compensation and unemployment coverage
- Reduced administrative burden of being an employer
- Access to programming, community activities, volunteering, and employment opportunities
Services Questions
What services does Elevate Spectrum provide through the Agency With Choice Program?
Elevate Spectrum supports the following services:
- Personal Supports (PSS)
- Personal Supports Enhanced (PSS-E)
- Community Development Services (CDS)
- Ongoing Job Supports (OJS)
These services are funded through the individual’s self-directed budget.
Can the individual still use other providers?
Yes. Individuals can still use other providers for other services if they choose. Elevate Spectrum may provide some services while other providers provide different services.
Pay and Employment Questions
How much are staff paid?
Family and non-family staff employed through the Agency With Choice Program are paid:
- $30+ per hour
- Flat rate monthly mileage stipend
Do staff receive payroll taxes and workers compensation coverage?
Yes. Because staff are employees of Elevate Spectrum:
- Payroll taxes are handled
- Workers compensation coverage is provided
- Unemployment insurance coverage is provided
- Payroll is processed by Elevate Spectrum
Why can Elevate Spectrum pay staff $30+ per hour?
As a provider agency, Elevate Spectrum receives the full DDA reimbursement rate for services and passes over 80% of that funding directly to staff wages and payroll expenses including payroll taxes, workers compensation, and unemployment insurance.
Self-Direction Questions
Does the individual still control the schedule and staff?
Yes. The individual still chooses their staff and schedule. This does not change.
Does this change the individual’s self-directed budget?
Services are authorized through the individual’s self-directed budget, but we review budgets with families during intake to make sure services are structured appropriately.
Can staff work the same hours as before?
In many cases yes, but hours must align with authorized services in the individual’s budget and with DDA’s policies. We review this during intake.
Getting Started
What is the first step if we are interested?
Step 1 — Start the Conversation
We learn about your situation and answer questions
Step 2 — Align Services
We align as your DDA provider vendor within self-direction
Step 3 — Set Up Employment
We onboard your selected staff
Step 4 — Continue Services
You continue directing services with added support
We Built a Program Specifically for Your
Elevate Spectrum has always embraced self-direction and family involvement.
So instead of building a model around constantly hiring and replacing staff,
we built a model that supports the workforce that already exists.
We created the Agency With Choice Program to provide another option for families who want to keep their staff, maintain stability, and reduce the administrative burden of being an employer.
You do not have to do this alone.
How To Get Started
1.
Start the Conversation
We learn about your situation and answer questions
2.
Align Services
We align as your DDA provider vendor within self-direction
3.
Set Up Employment
We onboard your selected staff
4.
Continue Services
You continue directing services with added support