• Developing a plan for how their son or daughter’s after school/ week-end or day care needs will be met
• Recruiting, training and supervising workers to provide the child/youth care • Providing financial reports to the Ministry
Guide to Individualized Funding
VI. Who Makes Decisions?
With individualized or direct funding, the adult with a disability can make decisions independently or can get help with decision-making. It is important to distinguish at the outset who will make decisions and how they will be made.
Children under the age of 19 years are represented by their parents or legal
guardians. So although it may be the child who is receiving the supports, it is the parent(s) or guardian who will sign the contract and be in the legal position to be accountable for it.
Adults (over the age of 19 years) who do not communicate in traditional ways or who
may not be able to manage their care independently can be supported in their decision- making through a client support group, a microboard or a Representation Agreement. The Client Support group and the microboard are non-profit societies established by a group of 5 family members or friends who act as Directors of the Society. In the case of client support groups, their sole purpose is to manage and account for the funding that is received through the Ministry of Health’s CSIL Phase II option. The purpose of a microboard society is to serve the individual in whose name the society is formed. This may extend to any number of undertakings that help an individual to achieve personal goals, including signing contracts with government ministries for individualized or direct funding.
In British Columbia it is also possible for people who need help with decision-making to use
Representation Agreements.
A Representation Agreement is a legal tool that can be used by people who cannot make any other kind of contract and who may not be able to manage their personal, legal or financial affairs. It enables British Columbia residents to choose one or more trusted people to become their representative and to speak with
them or for them in the areas of personal care, health, legal and financial matters. A Representation Agreement is simple to make and once it has been completed according to the rules of the Representation Agreement Act, it is a legal document and can be used in any situations where it is required. Despite the fact that some government funders are unfamiliar with them, there is no legal barrier to Representation
Guide to Individualized Funding
Agreements being used to manage individualized or direct funding. (Find out more about Representation Agreements in the Helpful Resources section of this Guide.)
VII. Signing a Contract for Individualized or Direct Funding
All funding agencies or government ministries will require a signed contract before any funds are dispersed. Although the language of particular contracts will vary depending upon the funder, you can expect that the contract will describe the terms and
conditions under which both parties (the funder and the recipient of funds) must operate during the terms of the contract. In general you will find the following provisions in your contract.
• Duration of the funding period also called terms of the agreement. This is a one year period usually running from April 1st of one year to March 31st of the
following year.
• Definition of the words that are used in the agreement
• The fact that the contract will be based upon an assessment of needs that is administered by a professional case manager
• Amount of money that will be given and when it will be given • Method by which the money will be dispensed
• Responsibilities of the recipient to follow all laws, regulations and policies in the management of employees
• Method and times for financial reporting
• Procedures that should be followed in the case of the accumulation of surpluses or deficits
• Circumstances that could lead to a termination of the contract and any process of dispute resolution that might be available
• Procedures that should be undertaken in the event of an emergency or crisis • Limitation of the liability of the funder for any injuries, neglect or abuse that
are the responsibility of the direct funding user
It is important to read and understand the contract prior to signing it. If you cannot understand it, ask for clarification from the agency or ministry representative. You must comply with your contract throughout the duration of your funding so it is wise to ensure that any practice that you adopt as an employer and self-manager conforms to your contract.
Guide to Individualized Funding
VIII. Implementing your Plan
Once you have received approval for individualized or direct funding you can start to implement your plan for personal support. You will probably begin the implementation process even before you actually receive any funding because there are some things that you should do in advance of the money arriving. Here are some of the things that you will do first.