Service facilitators play an essential role in supporting consumers and their families. Because facilitators meet with consumers on a monthly basis, they have the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships, understand each family’s individual needs, identify concerns early, and advocate effectively on the consumer’s behalf. Moving to a service broker model with quarterly visits would significantly reduce this level of personal connection and would not provide service brokers with the same opportunity to truly know the consumers and families they serve.

There is also a concern regarding a potential conflict of interest if the Fiscal-Employer Agent will be responsible for employing the service brokers. Currently, service facilitators are employed by an independent third party, which provides important separation and allows them to advocate for consumers independently. Maintaining this independence is critical to ensuring that the consumer’s needs and interests remain the primary focus.

For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Department to retain services facilitation as a standalone service and preserve the independent advocacy and regular, relationship-based support that consumers and their families rely upon.