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Liberty Resources Home Choices

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Liberty Resources is excited to announce the formation of our own home care agency in collaboration with Home Care Associates. LRI has made this decision to offer home care services because we know that Consumers are concerned about the direction that the state is taking with Consumer option services. LRI also knows that Consumers want to deal with a local provider who understands the needs of people with disabilities and independent living on a personal level.

LRI was not selected to provide Fiscal Management Services in the eastern region. As a result, Consumers who want to continue with Consumer Option Employer Services and do not take action will transfer to the new provider (PPL, based in Boston) by January, 2013.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONSUMERS

  • STEP ONE: Relax, we have you covered!
  • STEP TWO: If you want to stay with Liberty Resources, you can select Liberty Resources Home Choices (in collaboration with Home Care Associates).
  • STEP THREE: Call Linda at (215) 634-2000 ext. 396 now to make the switch so you can stay with Liberty!
  • STEP FOUR: Your "Consumer Option" attendant/professional caregiver can remain with you after the switch.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTENDANTS HELPING CONSUMERS MAKE THE CALL

  • STEP ONE: Relax, we have you covered!
  • STEP TWO: If you want to stay with Liberty Resources, you can select Liberty Resources Home Choices (in collaboration with Home Care Associates).
  • STEP THREE: You or your attendant/professional caregiver call Linda at (215) 634-2000 ext. 396 or (267) 765-1550 now to make the switch so you can stay with Liberty.
  • STEP FOUR: If you are having your attendant/professional caregiver call, have them state their name and the name of the Consumer they are calling for.
  • STEP FIVE: Your "Consumer Option" attendant/professional caregiver can remain with you after the switch.

You have a choice. You have a voice. Don’t let the state decide for you.

We strongly recommend making this change as soon as possible in order to avoid processing delays that may occur closer to January 2013.

Call Linda at (215) 634-2000 ext. 396 now to make the switch so you can stay with Liberty!

Liberty Resources Home Choices will deliver non-medical home care including assistance with personal care, homemaking and companionship. The new agency is run by people with disabilities.

This agency option is ideal for Consumers who can’t direct or don’t want to have all the responsibilities of being an employer because the agency will schedule the worker(s) and monitor the quality of service. Importantly, Consumers can still choose and change the agency homecare worker that comes to their home. Agency schedulers will be available 24/7 to handle back ups and emergencies.

While Liberty Resources Home Choices is being formed, Consumers who may be interested can select Home Care Associates (HCA). HCA is a locally based worker-owned company that has been serving LRI consumers for the past 17 years. Until our new home care agency is up and running, HCA will provide home care services and training to your attendant that will support you in receiving the best quality service.

Ask your Service Coordinator to put Home Care Associates in your Service Plan. Then in a few weeks, when the new agency is fully launched, you will be asked if you would like to switch to Liberty Resources Home Choices.

Liberty Resources Home Choices is highly committed to matching you to a home care worker that you are comfortable with. If you are considering the switch to agency option services, talk to us about the possibility of bringing your current consumer option attendant with you to us. We offer competitive wages and benefits to our workforce, an advantage that makes our staff stable and more satisfied. We require training that increases our attendants’ ability to best meet your needs.

We are confident that we can deliver the agency option service that still gives you self determination. You can choose to participate in all of the other services offered by Liberty Resources at the same time.

Competitive rates for private pay service are also available. Please call 267-765-1550 for more information.

Sincerely,

Linda Dezenski signature

Linda Dezenski
Chief Operating Officer

Liberty Resources Home Choices FAQs

  1. What will my attendant be paid per hour?

    2. During the 40 hour training, your attendant will be paid minimum wage. After that, in the counties of Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery, new full-time employees working 30 hours or more will receive $10.25/hr without benefits or $9.00/hr with benefits. Part-time employees working less than 30 hours will receive $10.50/hr and are not eligible for benefits. In Lehigh and Berks counties, full time with benefits is $8.00/hr, full time without benefits is $9.25/hr, and part time is $9.50/hr.

  2. Is the 40 hour training mandatory?

    3. Yes. Training will orient the attendant to the agency model, provide pertinent information about pay, and ensure that the attendant has all the skills necessary to assist with personal care.

  3. Does my attendant still have to attend the training if he/she is already certified?

    4. Yes, but maybe not the whole thing. All attendants must be oriented to the agency model and receive training to enhance their skills. If the attendant has a training certificate, he/she should provide this during the screening process.

  4. Where does the training take place and is it paid?

    5. The training currently takes place at Home Care Associates located on 1500 Walnut Street. The attendant will receive minimum wage during the training. Plans to hold training at the Allentown office for attendants working in Lehigh and Berks counties are being finalized.

  5. Can my attendant work more than 40 hours?

    6. In most circumstances, no. There may be some cases, however, where there could be an exception. These requests should be directed to Linda Dezenski. (generally, up to five hours OT may be allowed)

  6. Can my attendant drive me around and run my errands?

    7. NO.

  7. Does the agency offer benefits?

    8. If the attendant is full-time (works more than 30 hours) they can elect to have benefits

  8. Is there training in Allentown for attendants?

    9. Currently, all training is taking place at 1500 Walnut Street. Plans to hold training at the LRI Allentown office are being finalized.

  9. What is PPL and where are they located?

    10. Public Partnerships Limited is located in Boston. Their toll free number is 1 855 243 8775.

  10. What does PPL have to offer (benefits, time and a half, raises)?

    11. Their toll free number is 1-855-243-8775. Consumer option attendants are in a different labor category than Home Choices agency attendants. Consumer option attendants DO NOT get overtime.

  11. Am I as the consumer, still the employer?

    12. No, the employer is Liberty Resources Home Choices.

  12. Why do I have to split my hours?

    13. Agencies are employing attendants and must abide by Dept. of Labor laws. Employees cannot work more than 40 hours a week without receiving overtime. A full-time schedule is 40 hours.

  13. Will I keep the same SC?

    14. Yes. You are not being asked to switch Supports Coordination agencies.

  14. When is the training for my attendant?

    15. Training runs monthly. Once the consumer decides to switch to Home Choices, their attendant(s) will be scheduled in the first available training that works for the Consumer’s schedule.

  15. Does the entire training have to be completed prior to my attendant starting work?

    16. Yes. Your attendant cannot be employed by the agency until they have completed the training.

  16. Who will provide services while my attendant is in training?

    17. A back-up attendant from Home Care Associates can be arranged to provide back-up services while your regular attendant is in training. If the consumer has more than one attendant, their attendants will be scheduled for different sessions, so that the consumer’s hours of service are not disrupted to the extent that it is possible.

  17. Will my attendant receive a certification as a result of the mandatory training?

    18. A certificate of completion is given. It is not a state certification.

  18. What do you think I should do?

    19. Ultimately, this decision is up to you. We can only provide information about the options that are available to you.

  19. Is the criminal record check mandatory?

    20. Yes. A child abuse clearance and a drug screen are also required.

  20. What happens if I switch to PPL and don’t want to remain with PPL?

    21. You should talk to your SC. You will always have the option to switch to agency model services.
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