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PASS: Personal assistance services

Sometimes small steps take huge effort.  As a parent, you see your child’s strengths. You can imagine a future where those strengths will blossom. Yet, every day you see the challenges that your child faces. You see how much effort is behind each new skill learned, each hard-won gain.

If your child has challenges brought on by trauma, a disability or mental health issues, you may struggle to provide the guidance and intensive coaching that your child needs. You know that many opportunities to practice a new skill, with repetition and consistency, are how your child will learn. You do your best. Yet, sometimes, extra help is needed so your child can make use of the many learning opportunities throughout each day.

PASS: helping your child to thrive. Through these services, you’ll select and supervise a staff person who will help your child achieve vital goals. Every step of the way, you’ll be in charge of guiding your child’s progress. At key points in this process, Looking Upwards’ help is available as you need it.

Your child will receive support to strengthen skills in important areas:

  • Accomplishing essential activities of daily life
  • Keeping safe and making good decisions 
  • Learning social roles and enjoying connecting with others 

Supporting families. At Looking Upwards, we understand that families know their child the best. They are the experts at the center of their child’s life. In this program, families who need the help of an assistant can move forward in supporting their child’s progress. Our goal is to be a resource for families, in helping their child to grow.

What to expect:

  • You’ll start by identifying your child’s goals.
  • You’ll help design a treatment plan for your child with the support of your team.
  • You’ll select someone to be your child’s staff person. If you would like, Looking Upwards will help with recruitment.
  • You may consult with speech, occupational or physical therapists based on your child’s needs.
  • The staff person will work with your child to help with specific goals, under your supervision.
  • You will be the manager of your child’s services.
  • The PASS coordinator will be your contact person to assist with any day-to-day issues you may have.
  • A clinical consultant will meet with you regularly to provide guidance and support..  

Who is eligible:

  • For children and youth 0-21 years of age with developmental, behavioral or mental health needs who have Medicaid or Katie Becket.

Who to contact:

  • Coordinator, Paula A.D. Semonelli at 401-293-5790 ext. 303 or email Paula