Navigating Systems

Navigating Systems: Your Journey is Unique

I am here to walk with you as you find the right path for you - whether that's helping you identify the best choice when there seem to be too many possibilities, or finding an unexpected option that is uniquely suited for you.

Find the Right Services for You or Your Child

People with disabilities deserve the same access to life opportunities as everyone else - such as education, recreation and socialization, healthcare, independence, and inclusion in their communities.

• I can help you identify and access medical options and rehabilitation that improve quality of life and open doors to education, work, and community.
• Navigating life can feel and be isolating at times. I'm here to offer you one-on-one peer support, but also can guide you  to professionals, counselors, and services who understand.
• We can work together to identify specific roadblocks if you or your child are struggling at school, the workplace, or home. Then we can find solutions together - rehabilitation, adaptions, accommodations, and individualized instruction.
• Schools and medical providers are a starting point, but our communities have a wide array of resources available. Together we can explore and find the right programs for you or your child's interests, abilities, and needs.

Education and Accommodations

The first step on the pathway to independent living is education. Many neurodivergent children and adults, as well as people with physical disabilities, find standard educational environments and methods to be unnecessarily challenging. 

• I will help you identify your or your child's individual challenges, and then work with you to decide whether to pursue in-class accommodations (a Section 504 Plan) or specialized instruction and services (an Individual Education Plan).
• I will work with you, your medical team, and your school to craft an individual plan targeted to your child's needs.
• I will be with you every step of the way - from the initial phase of documenting concerns and educational gaps, through pursuing a formal diagnosis, to meeting with the school to draft and implement an IEP or 504, as well as reviewing and adjusting goals as your child grows and changes.
• I offer my support and guidance if mediation or appeals are needed. That may be as simple as being there as your advocate while meeting with the school to set goals and evaluate progress, or as be as involved as assisting you in preparing a formal request for an outside evaluation if you don't agree that the school's assessment is accurate.
• If you or your child have a physical disability and needs adaptive devices or specialized therapy, I can help you find providers. I can also assist you in navigating insurance as well as finding programs and resources that offer financial assistance so that you can afford necessary equipment.

Social Security and Medicaid

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid can be lifelines for families and individuals - providing financial stability and independence, as well as access to healthcare, therapy, and prescriptions.

• I can help you navigate the application process or appeals for SSI and Medicaid for yourself or your child. As your child approaches their 18th birthday, I can assist them in setting up SSI so their transition to adult living is seamless and supported.
• I can help you understand the application process for SSI, what documentation will be needed, what timelines to expect. I will attend interviews with you in person or virtually. 
• In addition, I offer my professional contacts and experience to help you navigate BadgerCare and access a wide variety of specialized support programs that are available for children.

Transitioning to Adulthood

Transitioning to adulthood doesn't have to be difficult. I have expertise and knowledge of how to navigate adult systems and programs. Together we can explore what options will give the best outcome for you or your child. 

• We can navigate adult services and programs together as a team - medical, educational, social, and community.
• New challenges can arise when moving into fully independent living for the first time. I can offer guidance and support for adults seeking a an initial diagnosis and accommodations. 
• I will work with you to make sure you access vocational rehabilitation while your child is still in school, to prepare them for immediate success as an adult - whether in higher education or the workforce.
• If your child will require a permanent guardian to look out for their interests as an adult, I can guide you through the process from competency testing to selecting and appointing a guardian.
• If you or your child would benefit from adult services, I will work with you to request and prepare for adult screening via your local Aging and Disability Resource Center. I will coordinate with you and the ADRC in finding the options that support the best quality of life for your or your child's specific needs, whether that is supported independence or more encompassing care.