April 22, 2026

Posting regularly will help me accomplish my business goals. I have been hesitant lately because I am dealing with billing issues. I did the math yesterday and I have not been paid for 250 hours of work in March. This is harmful to a person’s wellbeing and really only brings me to one conclusion. I work in a broken system. Who else works for free? People who cannot navigate the system. I understand why people do not want to do my job, but people are suffering. We need good providers in Ohio, families and caregivers deserve some relief.

Solon Community Living

Today, my husband was very excited to attend some sports collectible convention in Strongsville, Ohio. He met an interesting man with an inspiring story and I wanted to share his website. https://soloncommunityliving.org/

I am grateful to The Bagdasarians for sharing their story and paving a new path for people with DD to live a better life. They are changing lives in real time and giving hope to people like me.

Working in a Broken System

Lowering my expectations has helped me maintain mental stability. As an independent contractor, I am responsible for submitting claims for payment or I can hire a billing agent. I have had many payment issues while being a provider. The system is not made for mistakes and errors can take weeks to fix. This is one of the reasons why being a provider is not sustainable for everyone. I have a right to be paid in a timely manner, but no one exists to enforce these rules. Each case has a service and support administrator, this is a job I would never want, because these people are so overloaded with work. SSA’s are responsible for getting costs authorized by the board and this can be a tricky step. I work with people who are a danger to themselves and others and need consistent supervision. The board can have a hard time understanding why a person can’t be left alone. They will ask, “what is the worst that can happen?” My answers: break windows and mirrors, leave the water running, eloping, because the word escaping has been deemed inappropriate, running into traffic, walking into someone’s else’s home and undressing in public. People with disabilities and the people who support them deserve to be safe. Do better, Ohio, you have been hurting us.

Struggling together

I believe that life is not meant to be easy, it is more about managing the struggles we all have. Before I had my gallbladder and appendix removed, I lived in pain everyday. I feel so blessed that my pain was taken away, but it hurts to know that there is no cure for many people with disabilities like autism or epilepsy. My brother inspired me to be a better person and I will forever be thankful to him. My dad stepped out of my life a few years ago, it hurts, but my faith in God helps me get through the hard times. Life situations force us to make choices that may affect our families and loved ones. Nothing is more important than your family, the family you choose doesn’t have to be blood. Choose people that want to see you smile. I have been ignored and forgotten about throughout my childhood and it continues while trying to work with The County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Emotionally, I am very unstable, but I continue to get stronger mentally and physically. I am in college for my bachelor’s degree, because I am going to continue to better myself.

Adult Day Programs

I want to make it clear that I am only posting informational blogs to explain my story and help others. I want to create a business plan to open a 24/7 program for adults with disabilities. I am not ready to use specific names of my clients or the places that have denied them services. I want to know why certified agencies cannot care for the people that I work with. I do not expect people to do my job. Adults who struggle with incontinence and not being able to communicate verbally can be more difficult to care for. I work with people who are active, this can be an added complication when trying to find a day program. The environments are not suited for my clients. I need a space thats safe, things like windows and mirrors can be dangerous. Many adult day programs or day cares are comparable to a nursing home environment. My clients are loud and they jump and hit the walls. I try to protect them and myself as much as I can, but we just do not fit in. Anywhere. I have been screaming at the Department of Developmental Disabilities for help for years, but no one can find help for my client. I honestly believe that the state of Ohio wants nothing to do with people with severe disabilities. They make the system so complicated and difficult. It is okay for parents and children to suffer in Ohio, but I will keep trying. I am here to offer help to those who are struggling with the County Board. I cry everyday, but it doesn’t have to be that way forever. I hope to have a safer place by the time I die. Otherwise, I won’t be able to rest in peace and that is the goal. Life is temporary, but watching people suffer can make some days very long. My situation is unique, but its not uncommon. My client is at home 24/7, except for when he visits family. He technically rents a room in our house and my husband is the landlord. I rented an apartment last year to have more space and pool access. My next step is to buy a plot of land and build what I need, but it is expensive.

Donations for What?

I added a donation page to the website because I want to build a new residence. I currently reside in Cleveland, Ohio with my husband, stepson, and my two dogs. We also have a roommate who is an active 21 year old man with autism. We have outgrown our space, but it is important for us to keep our main residence in Cleveland. The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities has been helpful and more supportive versus Lorain County. I want to find a property with at least five acres, because we need space. I would really like to build more of a recreational space for people with disabilities that have been turned away from adult day programs. An indoor pool would be a dream! My roommate graduated out of high school at the age of 20 and he has not been accepted into an adult day program. I have a hard time understanding these agencies in Ohio. I know my roommate has specific needs, including being nonverbal, but he is not the only person in Ohio who has graduated high school without being able to read or write. I can get the money to try and become an agency, but I risk losing my independent provider certification for five years if my agency application was to get denied. I cannot take that risk. I want to offer my knowledge to those who care enough to become a provider and I will continue to find a way to support more people.

Become an Independent Provider

Providing services to adults with disabilities can be a complicated process in Ohio. A person has two options: agency or independent. The Wright Residence strongly encourages you to choose to be an independent provider. Although, I have never worked for an agency, I have tried to work with them. I even went through the agency application process, but I withdrew it before it was processed. Instead, I created this website to help others with the application process. This process includes many steps that can be time-consuming and confusing. The Wright Residence may be an agency one day, but right now we are certified as a non-profit organization. My dream is to create a residential space for the people that I currently work with and hopefully others, too. Adults with disabilities is a very broad term, like autism. A person or a situation can seem different on paper than in real life. I encourage you to meet with people and their families if you decide to become a provider. There are people that need help now.

Before Starting an Application

There were many things I wish I knew before getting certified to become a provider. Lately, it has been taking months for provider applications to be approved. You want to have everything you need in place before starting the application process. Most of my knowledge comes from the Department of Developmental Disabilities website, dodd.ohio.gov. As a direct service provider, I care for clients on Medicaid waivers. It is important to understand the different kinds of waivers and services, because you will need to choose specific services on your application. Certain services have specific requirements and you want to apply for the correct ones. For example, I provide Homemaker/personal care, HPC, for one of my clients, but I provide residential respite, RR, for another. These services are particular for each individual and are outlined in the ISP, individualized service plan. Many things I will mention are in the annual training that providers have to complete, this is also a requirement to apply. https://mylearning.dodd.ohio.gov/ is the website for our training. I have taken many of these free courses, but start with Training for New Independent Providers, unless you want to work for an agency, then you choose the Training for New Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). As an independent provider, you are responsible for your own billing. This includes tracking hours and converting them into units to be billed and processed for payment. You do have an option to have a billing agent, costs incur. CPR certification is also a requirement to be a provider. It is important to get the correct certification for your application. Pediatric and adult CPR and first aid certification is good for 2 years and we are required to maintain it. This is an out-of-pocket expense, I have used The Red Cross and Nation’s Best CPR and I was able to book the class online. Check out the website below for a complete list of requirements needed to apply.

https://dodd.ohio.gov/providers/initial-renewal-certification/1become-an-independent-provider