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Moments that Matter - Division of Aging provider relations

“We are only as good as the stories we tell, because stories are the best way to put ideas into the world.”

A couple of weeks ago, I let you know that from time to time I’d be sharing “Moments that Matter.” These are stories about how the work you do at FSSA makes a difference in the lives of Hoosiers.

The quote above comes from Darci Tower, provider relations director in the Division of Aging. As someone who works with providers who care for Hoosiers with complex medical and social needs, Darci knows the importance of an individual’s stories. She is the subject of this edition of “Moments that Matter.”

The Division of Aging has two Medicaid waivers: the Aged and Disabled and the Traumatic Brain Injury waiver (also sometimes referred to simply as “TBI”). Through these waivers, FSSA connects Hoosiers to resources that allow them to remain in their communities of choice.

Darcy was shadowing a care manager for a young woman who receives services on the TBI waiver. This young woman was an honor student and on her way to college when an accident left her non-verbal and immobile. During Darci’s visit, her parents told her about how their world changed in an instant. They were not prepared to provide the level of indefinite care their daughter needed. When Darci asked them if there was one thing that could help improve their-day-to-day lives, they had an immediate answer: baby wipes. For this family, most of their disposable income was spent on purchasing wipes for their daughter. The cost of wipes was the difference in going to a movie together or taking a trip to the zoo – activities that bring them collective joy. But the wipes were necessary and something they could not go without.

With this information, the Division of Aging was able to add wipes as a reimbursable expense to both waivers. This simple action had an enormous impact on this family and others.

This was a true moment that mattered… just a simple question: “What do you need?” And a simple answer. But the impact is significant. Each voice, one at a time, can spark lasting and meaningful system change.

Thank you to Darci for asking the next question.

Dan

PS: Please send me any examples of work you and your colleagues do that matters. You can send them to me at SecOffice@FSSA.in.gov with the heading Moments that Matter. These stories will be archived on The Hub here.