Care Coordination Manager (CCM) Brittany Riso has worked with Charlotte and her family since October 2023, when the family enrolled with Southern Tier Connect’s services. CCMs help many families secure therapeutic items and care, including sensory tools, toys, and speech and physical therapy. A significant barrier between children and these potentially life-changing care options is often a lack of funding where insurance doesn’t cover them. A care manager can help members bridge the gap between services, support, and funding.
Britt worked with community partners like Racker’s Autism Lending Library and Alive with Autism. The Racker Autism & Sensory Lending Library is a sensory-friendly environment that offers books, videos, and specialized education and resources for people with disabilities and includes a “try-it-before-you-buy-it” option for sensory items in the library. The library also supports families and businesses in creating sensory-friendly spaces. Charlotte and her family visited the library, where Charlotte could play with sensory items and borrow them for up to three weeks. Charlotte borrowed a few items from the library, which included a Yogibo pillow and a few additional items. For the first time in a long while, Charlotte slept through an entire night snuggled into her Yogibo.
Caption: Charlotte with her family
Caption: Charlotte using her body sock
For Charlotte, who regularly had trouble sleeping, sleeping through the night meant a lot. Initially, the family had difficulty justifying the medical necessity of the Yogibo and could not secure funds to purchase one. Britt reached out to Alive with Autism on behalf of Charlotte’s family, which gave them funding to permanently secure a Yogibo pillow—and more—for their home. In addition to the Yogibo, Charlotte also got a Nugget couch, a body sock, and a jellyfish light! Alive with Autism is a non-profit that holds awareness events and provides resources and support to families in the Binghamton region.
Britt’s biggest takeaway in supporting this family and ensuring their needs are met is communication; she says, “Communication with community partnerships is key to obtaining the items necessary to enhance the lives of the members we support.” Thank you, Britt, for all you do and for sharing this story with us!
If you have questions about these resources or securing funding to meet your needs, contact your care coordination manager today!
Have a story you wish to share?
Send an email to info@southerntierconnect.org. If you’re a care manager who wishes to be featured in our next issue, contact us by email to set up a time for us to interview you. Tell us about your success in care management, your goals, or just something fun you’ve been up to. Your stories are important to us!