I strongly oppose the proposed elimination of Services Facilitation and the mandatory replacement of experienced Services Facilitators with Support Brokers.

My sister has been receiving support from her Services Facilitator, Jeni (Jennifer) Dye from Moms in Motion, for many years. Jeni knows my sister, understands her individual needs, is familiar with our family, and has developed a level of trust and knowledge that cannot simply be transferred to a new person. Her understanding of my sister's needs has been an important part of maintaining consistency, stability, and quality in her care.

For individuals with significant disabilities, a Services Facilitator is not simply an administrative contact. Over time, that person develops an understanding of the individual's routines, needs, preferences, challenges, family circumstances, and the practical details that help keep services working effectively. Requiring families to replace an established and trusted professional can create unnecessary disruption and anxiety, particularly for individuals who depend on consistency and familiar relationships.

I am especially concerned that a mandatory transition could result in a loss of important knowledge about my sister's care. A new Support Broker would have to learn information that Jeni already knows through years of experience with our family. Even if the new system is intended to provide similar functions, it cannot immediately replicate the familiarity, trust, history, and continuity that already exist.

Virginia should recognize that person-centered care means recognizing the individual needs of each person and respecting the relationships that have proven successful. A one-size-fits-all transition should not override the needs of individuals for whom continuity and familiarity are especially important.

Creating a new system does not require Virginia to disregard relationships that are already working. If the Commonwealth moves forward with Support Brokers, families should at minimum have the ability to retain their existing Services Facilitator when that relationship is working well and meeting the individual's needs.

I respectfully ask you to reconsider the elimination of Services Facilitation and, at a minimum, provide an option for individuals and families to maintain their existing Services Facilitator when continuity of that relationship is in the individual's best interest.

My sister is not a policy category or a case number. She is an individual with specific needs, routines, preferences, and relationships that have developed over many years. The people who know her and understand her care are an important part of protecting her stability and quality of life.

Please do not force families to give up trusted and experienced Services Facilitators simply because the Commonwealth is changing the structure of the program. Preserve continuity of care and allow individuals and their families to have a meaningful choice about whether a change in facilitator is appropriate for them.

For my sister, continuity is not a convenience. It is an essential part of her care.