Moms In Motion/At Home Your Way needs your help to transform the dysfunctional system of services for people with disabilities. The Arc of Virginia, in collaboration with vaACCSES, have worked in partnership to develop a Disability System Rescue Plan for the General Assembly. This package focuses on equity and sustainability for our disability system.

Here are just a few things that impact you:

You want to continue to be the paid attendant for your minor child or spouse so that they can receive consistent, quality care for that individual, keeping them safe while sustaining your family financially. The appendix K flexibility that allows spouses and parents of minor children with disabilities to be the paid caregivers needs to be permanent so that you will no longer be forced to choose between working outside of your home and caring for your loved one.

You want consumer-directed services to remain sustainable so that you have a choice in providers for the long-haul, but the current service provider rates make that difficult. In fact, Consumer-Directed Providers (like Service Facilitators) have not had a rate adjustment in at least 12 years, all while the administrative burden has increased year over year. As a result, there are fewer and fewer qualified providers for you to choose from.

You want to continue to receive your Home and Community Based Services (like Service Facilitation) via Telehealth to keep your family safe, not just because of COVID, but ongoing because of the Flu or other viruses, because someone in your home is immunocompromised, or because you or your loved one are at high risk for illness due to another medical condition. Telehealth needs to be a permanent choice of delivery method for you and your family for all of your Home and Community Based Services, including Service Facilitation, to keep your vulnerable family safe.


Moms has partnered with the Arc to help advocate for these causes but also joined forces with other partners to further the mission. Moms In Motion, in collaboration with fellow Waiver Service Providers Toddlers To Grandparents, Family Links, and 1st Choice Facilitators LLC, did a poll and survey of those receiving services. 63% of respondents to the survey and 2700 supporters who have signed the online petition have shared their heartfelt feelings on the impact of these issues.

The following comments mirror the sentiments of these providers and come from the respondents to the survey and petition they conducted:

“We are a family with 3 children that all have special needs. Since the beginning of COVID, we have had difficulty finding caregivers, and as school teachers, this has created a strain on our family and our routine. We trust that our legislators will hear and understand our concerns. Please make these improvements for our children.”

“Before the pandemic my son had eleven hospitalizations in one calendar year due to multiple illnesses, including rhinovirus, the common cold. In the last 22 months, he has had one singular admission. Vaccination is not the be-all end-all and we must continue to reduce risk factors to protect my son’s life. That includes limiting who can closely interact with my child who is 100% dependent for all of his needs. Prior to Appendix K, we sought nursing care for 4 1/2 years to no avail. Home based care is difficult to impossible to get or maintain. The best solution is to permanently keep Appendix K. This will keep my child, like many others out of long term care facilities and HOME where they belong. An added benefit is this will keep Medicaid costs much lower.”

“I do not want the service facilitator to come into my home because she's been to other homes and can bring germs and possibly covid into our home and to me, it is safer for all to continue virtual videos.”

“Hello Im signing today because my husband suffered a devastating stroke and needs daily care. Being his caregiver and getting paid has helped our family tremendously since i had to quit my full time job to care for him. We have 3 kids and it has been a blessing for me to be home with him and the flexibility to come and go with our kids. Being a paid spouse has lessened the burden. We need this to become permanent”

“The rate they offer attendants is not compatible with the cost of living in the DC area making it nearly impossible to find qualified help to care for my daughter.”


With 85% of those surveyed indicating that they have someone in the home who is considered at high risk for COVID based on the CDC guidelines, Moms In Motion, Toddlers to Grandparents, Family Links and 1st Choice Facilitator LLC are competitors who have banned together to protect these families. Together, these providers serve about half of the 25,000 people in the state who receive Consumer-Directed Medicaid Waiver Services.

They are the voice and advocates for those receiving these services. Your Voice Matters!

Your voice is the one that your Virginia legislators listen to. Here’s how you can help:
Sign and share this petition. Now’s the time! The General Assembly is currently in session! Amplify your voice! Your signature represents a desire to make necessary changes for your family and those like yours and to sustain your services permanently and safely. It says you are concerned about the long-term risk to disability services associated with ignoring these issues.

Contact your legislators and tell them your story.

Tell them how your family has remained safe and financially stable because you have been able to be the paid attendant for your spouse or minor child. Ask them to make the Appendix K flexibility allowing parents and spouses to be paid caregivers a permanent change.

Tell them that you want Consumer Direct to remain a viable option which it is not at current rates. Ask them to fully fund a rate increase for all Home and Community Based Services Providers, including Consumer-Directed Service Facilitation, which is not currently in the Governor’s Proposed Budget, but should be.

Tell them how your family has been able to safely use your services throughout the pandemic thanks to the Telehealth Delivery Method option.

Tell them to keep your family safe, even after the pandemic. Ask them to make the telehealth delivery method a permanent option for ALL Home and Community Based Service Providers, including Consumer-Directed Providers, like Service Facilitation.

CALL TO ACTION:
Sign this petition https://chng.it/LSLyqTbB
Visit our self advocacy page at www.momsinmotion.net to find out how to contact your legislators today

Keri Ayres began receiving support services for her son who has autism in 2007. This was no small feat. Red tape, paperwork, and wait-lists trapped consumers in a convoluted process that could take years. Ms. Ayres, who labored for three and a half years to get her son the services he needed, was galvanized by her experience to assist others seeking support for family members with disabilities. As a result, Moms In Motion was born. Moms In Motion revolutionized consumer-directed care Service Facilitation in the state of Virginia. Today, Moms In Motion is the largest provider in Virginia and continually provides forward-thinking, game changing solutions for the industry. Moms In Motion diligently works to provide seamless service and navigates the systems for the families we serve. The Moms In Motion team is dedicated to providing the best service on Earth and leaving the world a little better than we found it.
Name of Press Contact: Khalilah Jones, Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator