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The main purpose of service coordination is to support and assist people with mental retardation in achieving their personal goals and desired outcomes.

 

Service coordination designates a staff person - the Service Coordinator - to assist people in accessing medical, social, educational, and other appropriate services and supports that will help the individual to achieve a quality of life and community participation acceptable to the individual.

 

The key elements are:

• Assessment - the Service Coordinator determines what a person wants and needs.
• Service planning and coordination - the Service Coordinator helps develop a plan to meet the needs, then helps the person access services.
• Monitoring - the Service Coordinator checks in with the person, usually monthly, to make sure the plan is working, and to see if the person has any new needs or desires.
• Crisis prevention and management - the Service Coordinator helps with any emergency that arises.

Service coordinators provide information about all the different services and supports in the local area as well as services available from state and federal agencies.

 

Service coordinators do not provide direct services - such as therapy or training - for consumers. Rather, they help people get connected with services and supports that can meet their needs.

 

Most consumers and their families benefit from having a person that they develop a professional relationship with to help them work through all the red tape and bureaucracy involved in getting services.