I am writing to state that I oppose the proposed DMAS changes to replace the Service Facilitation Model and replace it with a Support Brokerage Model, personally for my family and I nothing could replace the Service Facilitation Model, as we rely on their knowledge and understanding of how to navigate through things that we have no understanding of .  Having a special needs child there are many things we need to learn for his best interest and things he will need and benefit from things we are not aware of.  How Medicaid/Medicare operates as well as things in our community that would benefit our sons needs, as there has been different waivers etc. again we had no understanding of.  The worry and stress that comes along with not having the knowledge and understanding has been lifted knowing we can and have called our Service Facilitation Model who has and can give us the support needed, as we are learning.  Our Service Facilitation Model has the knowledge of all the different things we need, knowing us personally, making it understandable,  we feel reassured we will have the help and guidance to facilitate through any obstacles.  Doing away with such a beneficial program as the Service Facilitation Model would be a great loss to individuals and their families.  I as many would deeply appreciate the Service Facilitation Model to continue as indeed the Service Facilitation Model is and has done beyond its expectations.  It has been the one for sure thing we have been able to rely on, a true valuable extension of our family, knowing our individual needs, has and continues to be a valuable resource.  As a parent of a special needs child there was and is so much to learn, as when we adopted our son, we were completely in the dark, our Service Facilitation Model was there each and every step of the way, guiding us through each process that needed to be done, taking our stress and worry we found relief knowing they would help and be there for us as we are grateful for  them.

In making this decision please remember, the Service Facilitation Models are part of our family, so when making a decision so important as family, consider the great loss it would be to others as well as myself to lose them.