FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About the PFTM Program for Families and Guardians
What and how are Professional Family Teachers paid?
Several factors are considered when determining the amount of money paid to an Professional Family Teacher, including:
1. The level of need of the person to be served;
2. Whether the Professional Family Teacher will provide residential services only or residential and day services for the person;
3. The level of behavioral support the person needs, provided by the Professional Family Teacher;
4. The level of medical support the person needs, provided by the Professional Family Teacher; and
5. The Professional Family Teacher’s certification status.
In addition to the annual contract amount, the person served pays the Professional Family Teacher a monthly board and transportation fee. Also, as an independent contractor, an Professional Family Teacher’s compensation may be tax-free.
What do we pay for this service? What living expenses do we need to anticipate we will need to pay for out of
pocket?
The person served would contribute only what they can afford towards the expenses to the Professional Family Teaching home up to a maximum of 600.00 each month. When determining how much an individual can contribute, CLO considers the individuals income and sets aside a set amount each month that the individual can spend on personal items and fun activities.
Where are professional families located?
Professional Family Teaching homes are located throughout the communities served by CLO. All of the homes are private family homes that Professional Family Teacher’s own or rent.
Will my loved one have to share a bathroom?
All individuals served in Professional Family Teaching homes have their own bedroom but they may share a bathroom with others in the home.
What happens to my loved one if the Professional Family Teacher cannot serve them any longer?
If the Professional Family Teaching placement were to end for any reason, the person served would move out of the Professional Family Teaching home and CLO would work with their team to identify an appropriate option for them that may or may not include another Professional Family Teaching home.
What happens if my loved one loses mobility and needs assistance from a wheelchair or walker?
Prior to placement, an individual’s anticipated support needs are considered in determining an appropriate Professional Family Teaching home. Any time the needs of an individual change, however, the individual’s core team determines how to best support the individual. There may be adaptations to the home, the schedule, or support services that can implemented to maintain placement.
Can the professional family bring my love one to me on a regular basis (e.g., transport them)?
The Professional Family Teacher and the loved ones family develop a mutually satisfying plan for visits that takes into consideration a variety of factors such as distance, weather, frequency, etc.. The plan is reassessed frequently to ensure continued satisfaction of all parties.
Can we have our loved one overnight and/or go on vacation with us?
Yes! CLO believes in helping individuals maintain close relationships with family members. Individuals can and do go on vacations with their families and sometimes even with their Professional Family Teachers.
What is the timeline for placement?
The length of time for placement varies from case to case and is dependant on several factors including whether or not there is a potential provider identified and the support needs of the individual. CLO strives to create long-term, positive, and successful placements that support individuals live meaningful lives. Therefore, time and care is taken in all steps of the recruitment, screening and training, and matching phases of the placement process to ensure the best individual and provider match possible. *Due to the nature of the program being relational based, the placement process in this program is not quick. The selection and matching process, in addition to state approval, determines the length placement.
What respite is available for Professional Family Teachers to prevent “burnout?”
Professional Family Teachers are responsible for supervising the person served 24 hours a day if they are providing both residential and day and services. If the Professional Family Teachers provide residential services only, they are responsible for the person served during mornings, evenings, weekends, days the person is sick, and for days that day services are not provided. However, CLO requires that respite for Professional Family Teachers be part of the contract, and during contract development, a pre-specified amount of respite will be agreed upon. There are two
types of respite:
1. Natural supports - people within Professional Family Teachers’ network and the network of the person served (e.g., family or friends of the Professional Family Teacher or person served). The Professional Family Teacher must provide them with individualized orientation/training. Other Professional Family Teachers can also be used to provide support. and
2. Paid supports - generally staff employed by the Professional Family Teachers, or staff coverage arranged through CLO for a fee.
About the PFTM Program for Families and Guardians
What and how are Professional Family Teachers paid?
Several factors are considered when determining the amount of money paid to an Professional Family Teacher, including:
1. The level of need of the person to be served;
2. Whether the Professional Family Teacher will provide residential services only or residential and day services for the person;
3. The level of behavioral support the person needs, provided by the Professional Family Teacher;
4. The level of medical support the person needs, provided by the Professional Family Teacher; and
5. The Professional Family Teacher’s certification status.
In addition to the annual contract amount, the person served pays the Professional Family Teacher a monthly board and transportation fee. Also, as an independent contractor, an Professional Family Teacher’s compensation may be tax-free.
What do we pay for this service? What living expenses do we need to anticipate we will need to pay for out of
pocket?
The person served would contribute only what they can afford towards the expenses to the Professional Family Teaching home up to a maximum of 600.00 each month. When determining how much an individual can contribute, CLO considers the individuals income and sets aside a set amount each month that the individual can spend on personal items and fun activities.
Where are professional families located?
Professional Family Teaching homes are located throughout the communities served by CLO. All of the homes are private family homes that Professional Family Teacher’s own or rent.
Will my loved one have to share a bathroom?
All individuals served in Professional Family Teaching homes have their own bedroom but they may share a bathroom with others in the home.
What happens to my loved one if the Professional Family Teacher cannot serve them any longer?
If the Professional Family Teaching placement were to end for any reason, the person served would move out of the Professional Family Teaching home and CLO would work with their team to identify an appropriate option for them that may or may not include another Professional Family Teaching home.
What happens if my loved one loses mobility and needs assistance from a wheelchair or walker?
Prior to placement, an individual’s anticipated support needs are considered in determining an appropriate Professional Family Teaching home. Any time the needs of an individual change, however, the individual’s core team determines how to best support the individual. There may be adaptations to the home, the schedule, or support services that can implemented to maintain placement.
Can the professional family bring my love one to me on a regular basis (e.g., transport them)?
The Professional Family Teacher and the loved ones family develop a mutually satisfying plan for visits that takes into consideration a variety of factors such as distance, weather, frequency, etc.. The plan is reassessed frequently to ensure continued satisfaction of all parties.
Can we have our loved one overnight and/or go on vacation with us?
Yes! CLO believes in helping individuals maintain close relationships with family members. Individuals can and do go on vacations with their families and sometimes even with their Professional Family Teachers.
What is the timeline for placement?
The length of time for placement varies from case to case and is dependant on several factors including whether or not there is a potential provider identified and the support needs of the individual. CLO strives to create long-term, positive, and successful placements that support individuals live meaningful lives. Therefore, time and care is taken in all steps of the recruitment, screening and training, and matching phases of the placement process to ensure the best individual and provider match possible. *Due to the nature of the program being relational based, the placement process in this program is not quick. The selection and matching process, in addition to state approval, determines the length placement.
What respite is available for Professional Family Teachers to prevent “burnout?”
Professional Family Teachers are responsible for supervising the person served 24 hours a day if they are providing both residential and day and services. If the Professional Family Teachers provide residential services only, they are responsible for the person served during mornings, evenings, weekends, days the person is sick, and for days that day services are not provided. However, CLO requires that respite for Professional Family Teachers be part of the contract, and during contract development, a pre-specified amount of respite will be agreed upon. There are two
types of respite:
1. Natural supports - people within Professional Family Teachers’ network and the network of the person served (e.g., family or friends of the Professional Family Teacher or person served). The Professional Family Teacher must provide them with individualized orientation/training. Other Professional Family Teachers can also be used to provide support. and
2. Paid supports - generally staff employed by the Professional Family Teachers, or staff coverage arranged through CLO for a fee.