FAQs
What is Independence Association?
What services can I expect from Independence Association?
What is a case manager?
What qualifications do your staff have?
How do I get started?
Who qualifies for services?
Who pays for services received through Independence Association?
If I don't have Medicaid, who pays for necessary services?
Who is eligible for Independence Association's Children's Services?
Does Independence Association provide transportation?
What do all the acronyms mean?
What is Independence Association?
Independence Association works together with adults and children with disabilities to assist them in creating full and inclusive lives in their chosen communities. You can learn more about our mission statement and our long history in the community here.
What services can I expect from Independence Association?
Independence Association offers residential services, employment services, and therapeutic behavior management in the form of programs for adults ages 18 or older. We also provide adult case management and in-home supports. For individuals between the ages of 0 and 20, Independence Association provides targeted case management. Individuals between 5 and 20 years of age qualify for In-Home Supports for Children.
What is a case manager?
A case manager advocates with you and assists you in coordinating necessary resources to empower children, adults, and families to live full and inclusive lives in their community.
What qualifications do your staff have?
All of our programs ask for different qualifications from their employees, with the minimum requirement of a high school diploma or GED. If you would like to know more about the qualifications for the program in which you may be interested, please contact our offices. Independence Association's policy toward all new staff requires that they complete a 90-day probationary period and subsequent evaluation. After an initial positive evaluation, all staff continue to undergo evaluations at least once a year. Before hiring any of its employees, Independence Association performs Homeland Security and criminal background checks.
How do I get started?
We hope that these frequently asked questions will help you identify the right options among the many resources available to you, your child, or someone you know. On our referral and information page, we have outlined the process for receiving services. If you have further questions or would like to receive services through Independence Association, please don't hesitate to contact us or use our offices to get in touch with someone currently receiving services.
Who qualifies for services?
Independence Association serves individuals with mental retardation, autism, and/or other disabilities.
Who is eligible for Independence Association's Children's Services?
Mainecare-eligible individuals between the ages of 0 and 20 with mental retardation, autism or developmental delay qualify for Targeted Case Management, but only those individuals between 5 and 20 years qualify for In-home Support Services. For assistance finding programs for children under the age of five, contact the Maine Department of Education's Child Development Services.
Who pays for services received through Independence Association?
Mainecare provides for behavioral health, long-term care, and other services, though Independence Association receives additional funding from state agencies, local governments, and individual donors.
What do I do if I don't have Mainecare?
If you are deemed ineligible for Medicaid, we can work with you to locate more options within the Medicaid system or through an alternative funding source.
Does Independence Association provide transportation?
Residential and Community Support programs offer transportation in Independence Association vehicles with our own staff. If you need regular assistance that we do not provide, we can direct you to our transportation links for alternative Medicaid-funded transportation.
What do all the acronyms mean?
Because there are so many acronyms that are used regularly, we've compiled a list of useful acronyms to know here: Acronyms