Service and Support Administrators (SSAs) and individuals served by the Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities gave a presentation in early October at the Synergy Conference, a conference held annually at the Kalahari Convention Center where individuals receiving services and DD professionals from across the state learn and have fun together. Over 800 people attended the conference, and many of them attended this session presented by our Board employees and the individuals they serve. SSAs Becky Criswell, Destiny Jones, Maggie Thurston, and director Felicia Zendejas joined individuals Melanie Feizkhah, Evan Goretzki, Carly Sabo, and Kristin Webb to share with their peers valuable information in a session entitled, “I Don’t Have A Waiver, So What About Me?” They detailed how people receiving services can utilize their community resources and individual budgets to help them live fulfilling and independent lives without a Medicaid waiver, as well as how using tools such as Charting the Life Course and making connections with those around them to empower them to make decisions and take charge of their own lives.
