Learn how our Parent Directed Program (PDP) lifts the weight off parents’ shoulders. Join Amanda Ryther, PDP parent, as she shares how she learned to best support her daughter Maddie and find time for herself again. Matthew Chapman, PDP administrative team member at Boundless, joins host Scott Light and explains how this unique program allows parents to get paid for caring for their loved one or hire people they choose to care for them while Boundless handles all the administrative tasks behind the scenes.
Learn how our Parent Directed Program (PDP) lifts the weight off parents’ shoulders. Join Amanda Ryther, PDP parent, as she shares how she learned to best support her daughter Maddie and find time for herself again. Matthew Chapman, PDP administrative team member at Boundless, joins host Scott Light and explains how this unique program allows parents to get paid for caring for their loved one or hire people they choose to care for them while Boundless handles all the administrative tasks behind the scenes.
If there are three letters that we're getting very familiar with today, it's P, D, P. So Amanda PDP stands for parent directed program. What does this program here at boundless mean to you?
Amanda Ryther:PDP offers me a sense of financial security as a provider so that I don't have to work multiple jobs in order to offer a great life for my kids. As a single mom, it was a challenge. And so it's really enhanced our family.
Scott Light:Well, and with that, folks, we are out of the gate with our latest episode of the wellbeing podcast brought to you by Boundless. Boundless is a nonprofit that provides residential support autism services, primary health care, day programs, counseling, and a whole lot more to children and adults. Our mission is to build a world that realizes the boundless potential of all people. And hey, if you like what you're hearing, please give us a great review. Wherever you listen to our episodes. I'm your host, Scott light. So you just heard from Amanda. So let me fully introduce you to her and our other guest today. Amanda Ryther is a mom and PDP parent here at Boundless say that fast three times. Amanda it's good to have you here.
Amanda Ryther:Thank you.
Scott Light:Matthew Chapman is our PDP administrative team member here at Boundless as well, Matthew, welcome to you.
Matthew Chapman:Thanks for having me.
Scott Light:So Matthew, the PDP part here, it's it's really unique in many, many ways, by giving active family members help to manage the number of services that are needed in the home help to explain this program for us a little bit more.
Matthew Chapman:Our program basically gives the parent or guardian the ability to kind of direct and oversee the services that go on in the home for their loved one. And it gives them the ability to, you know, handpick staff schedule staff in their home, you're able to choose the rate of pay for your staff member. And then, like I said before, it gives you the ability to train your staff on the specific needs of your loved one.
Scott Light:Okay, Amanda, you've got some history with all of this, because your history with this program goes back more than 10 years. So kind of fill us in on a little bit of that history, if you would.
Amanda Ryther:Yeah, it does. I became a care provider for a family member's child. When she was about two and worked with in that home for about 10 years or so. It was a great experience. And then I moved, my life just moved elsewhere. And we came to a period in in our lives as a family where we were able to utilize the PDP program. So now we utilize that I'm, I'm the care provider for my daughter, because I also have Maddie has special needs.
Scott Light:Tell us a little bit more about Maddie.
Amanda Ryther:She's awesome. Maddie has a syndrome called Cornelia de Lange syndrome. So she's delayed and a lot of different areas. And she's she's smaller, and she requires some different medical care. And she has seizures. So she definitely needs always somebody, you know, within earshot of her. So, but she's a delight. And she's funny, and she's grown. She's 28 now, so she's grown into an amazing adult.
Scott Light:You have said that the PDP program enabled you to grow as a parent as a caregiver. And it helped in in what you call the letting go process with Maddie over the years. What do you mean by that?
Amanda Ryther:Because of that financial help that we got through PDP, not just from me being a part of it as an employee, but also as a parent. It allowed me to kind of step back and acknowledge that I have all of these hats that I have, you know, I have, I'm a daughter, you know, I'm, I'm a friend, I'm a mom, I'm all of these things. And a lot of times when you have a child with special needs, it becomes all it can become all like, all encompassing. And you forget who you are, you forget all of these other things that you can put time into or that you need to put time into. And so that allowed me the opportunity to kind of step back and recognize who I was. And then it also helped me recognize who Maddie was and what Maddie needs because Maddie doesn't need her mom over her shoulder 24 hours a day. Maddie needs to have friends. She needs to have people that are there beside her that can cook with her or take her to the movies or, you know, hang out or do whatever, and interact with her and in other ways and I felt like it was really important to let that happen. Because without letting that happen, Maddie wasn't going to have the best quality of life that she should have as an individual or human.
Scott Light:Yeah, there are plenty of times where where we parents are needed. And there are also plenty of times where we parents aren't right needed. Right, right. Yeah. Yeah. Matthew, I can see you in my periphery here at the table. You're nodding as Amanda was was sharing those, those anecdotes there those stories. Can you follow up a little bit on her comments there and share what other parents say about their respective experiences within this program?
Matthew Chapman:Yeah, yeah. So I can tell you, there's, there's Well, let's continue to talk about that, Amanda, because you been really great just experiences come from this program, I have a number of parents that, you know, such as Amanda, they are the employee. And then they're also the parent, and they just are so grateful that they found us to be an option to where they're able to provide the most adequate care for their loved one. And then you have parents on the other side, where they are just the parent oversee the services in the home, and they have staff that they've, you said another teachable moment has been letting Maddie be her individual adult self. know, handpicked to come in and provide the care and it kind of
Amanda Ryther:Yeah, it's definitely been a process. I remember when Maddie was kind of reaching her mid teens, and she still wanted baby dolls for Christmas. And I was like, gives them the ability to do things that they're not always telling my mom, I'm like, she's got 30 baby dolls, we get her baby dolls every holiday. And I feel like I should get her something more age appropriate. And my mom said, you know, able to do, such as go out for a date night or, you know, Amanda, it's about Matty's quality of life. And Maddie might enjoy having baby dolls, because that's her thing. And that's okay for her to do that. And so it really opened my eyes different things like that gives them the opportunity to go and to that I'm not allowing this person to do these things, I'm supporting this person to do these things. And when my brain switched over from allowing Maddie to be her individual do their own thing, but then also know have the peace of mind self, to supporting Maddie to be her individual self, it really changes the perspective of appreciating all of the things about her and whatever way it is. And that we can, I feel like thattheir loved one is safe with, you know, the staff we should do that with everybody that we're around. And, you know, we don't, we set these expectations for people. And members that they have chosen. And I just, I think there has it's, it's just not necessary. And so it was a really teachable moment for me to say, you know, what, Matt's like, that's cool. That's you, and you want to watch the Hulk for you know, been a great, great, there's, there's been a lot of parents binge on the Hulk all day, then do it, girl, because that's gonna make you happy so.
Scott Light:before is she doesn't need her mom around who have come back with some great feedback about, you know, every day saying, hey, it's time to take a shower, or, Hey, we how it's changed not only their life, but their loved ones as well. got to go do this appointment. And you know, are you going to wear that outfit or whatever. And so, it I, it's so cool, because the people that are in her life,she has different relationships with all of them. So her brother can get her to do anything. I can't, and neither can her sisters, but her sisters can get her to cook and really have a great time. You know, her other friends will have her over and she'll be super chatty, and she'll watch a movie and, you know, just get silly, whereas she wouldn't do that with me. And so there's been people in her life over time that that really bring out different aspects of Maddie we're in, we are all different in our different relationships. And so it's been fun to see Maddie, have those experiences and build those relationships outside of me. And it's enhanced her quality of life, which is always you know, it's the priority. It's the goal so. Matthew, what other types of success stories like this have you and your team seen and heard about? When we talk about the impact of this type of approach of care.
Matthew Chapman:For me? I've lived in the same place for almost 20 years and for you know, whatever reason, I would not feel comfortable, you know, moving somewhere else. And I think the great thing about our program is, you know, I just feel like a lot of the folks thrive, you know, being able to receive their care in their home. I just, I think that's like a, just a great aspect of our program. I'm very much a routine person myself, and you know, I get used to things and I think, you know, moving out and not being in where I've known, my whole life would just be really scary and whatever to me. So I think that is, one of the great things about a program that I see a lot is, I don't know, they just feel safe and secure in their, you know, their own environment that they've known their whole life. So, but, you know, I've, I've had a couple parents, too, that have just, you know, gotten really emotional about the program, too. And I definitely feel for them that, you know, it's given them the ability to, you know, focus 100% of their, you know, time outside of, you know, doing work and whatever to the care, you know, for their child or, you know, whoever may be brother or sister. That's just one of the great things that I just love about this program.
Scott Light:Let's build on that a little bit and and dive into it, because another unique attribute to all of this is that Boundless doesn't recruit the caregivers, it's it's new and current families that are responsible for finding staff to refer to you. Right, and that can be family member friends, it can be a neighbor, it can be really anyone who's interested in being on the care team.
Matthew Chapman:Yes, yeah, that is correct. So with our program, new new families and existing families are, you know, responsible for recruiting the staff? And it can be anyone, like you said, I know we have a couple families that they're involved with, like, nursing schools are there they live around them, and that they're able to get staff that way, as well.
Scott Light:Amanda, Matthew, hit on this a little bit, he mentioned a date night or being able to, you know, go out or spend a little time with friends away from the kids, your mother of four, how did you find time and all of this, to find a little time for you to find a little time for for some self care?
Amanda Ryther:Right. That when people used to ask me, you know, what do you do for self care, I'd say a bath because I thought that was what we were always supposed to say. And then I realized I don't even like baths. So I kind of I realized at that point that I lost who I was, I didn't even know myself because I was so busy, you know, taking care of everybody else. And making sure that we had these doctor's appointments, and I had all my notes at the doctor's appointment. And you know, all these things, I didn't even know what my favorite food was anymore. And so it was really important for me to kind of go on a journey and figure out what what do I like, what don't I like, and then from there, really break it down and start and start doing those things. And PDP offered that time for me to do that, you know, my other three are getting older, or family would have them or even family would have Maddie. And so it was it was an opportunity for me to say, you know, building relationships is really important to me. And that fills me and it builds me with passion. And so I need to go have one on one time outside of this bubble, so that I can, you know, just kind of be myself and what I need or traveling and seeing things, having those experiences. So those are kinds of some of the things that I've figured out that I really like is spending time with my friends and the people that I love, and then also traveling and that kind of thing, so.
Scott Light:We all need that. Right?
Amanda Ryther:Yeah. We do.
Scott Light:Yeah, for sure. Matthew, are there some other things that our listeners may may want to know here that differentiate the boundless PDP program from from others?
Matthew Chapman:So the great thing about us is, I actually just had new incoming family, you mentioned this today, they had a question about the rate of pay, you know, for their staff member they're referring, and she was like, taken aback when I told her, you know, you set the rate of pay only based on a scale of, you know, set scale. And she was like, Oh, well, this other company that we, you know, used to be with, it was a set, like, minimum wage, that's what you got. So I think that's a great thing about our program. And there's been, you know, a lot of families that have said the retention of staff, you know, because we pay out at a higher hourly rate than other companies that you'll see out there. The retention of staff is Okay, so you're trying to make it make it as easy as possible. a lot higher. And then with us, you know, you come on to the program and we handle all of the administrative stuff on the back end that you wouldn't find. A lot of times folks will be an independent provider and directly, you know, deal with the state themselves or whatnot. But we're able to, you know, handle all that stuff. So I know we had a family that's coming on that they wanted to come with us, due to the fact that we do all of like, take, we do handle the compliance of staff, you Yes, more of a seamless process.
Scott Light:That's good. That's good question to both of you. know, make sure all their certifications are up. And What's your advice for maybe a listener or listeners who are thinking, hey, maybe, you know, maybe I want to start my there's certain documentation that needs to be done, we handle caregiver journey here. Amanda, what what's your advice to them? that. And taxes is another thing too, that a lot of folks like
Amanda Ryther:Balance is so cool, because they offer so much it's, it's literally an embrace, I appreciate so much of what that we take taxes out on their paycheck, so they don't have to you're saying because it is true, Boundless, takes off so worry about paying Uncle Sam back at the end of the year, much off of your shoulders, so that you are free to live. And it really does enhance the quality of life for so many that you'll find with a lot of folks that go the independent people beyond the person that is getting the support. Because provider route. there's so much that goes into so many things already, usually medically, or school wise, or program wise that putting more on your plate is just too much. And so you do feel embraced when you're, when you're using PDP when you're utilizing it. And and I really, really super grateful for that. I would say that, for families that are just coming into it, it can seem really scary. And there's a lot of questions. But these people know the answers, and there's no stupid question, they will just they will be like, okay, like this is this is what you do, this is what you do, oh my gosh, it's that easy. It's so great. And so the support that you get, is so amazing. I would say also, when you are coming into this as new you again, you're, it's, it's a little scary, because you're you're not sure how this works, you could be hiring somebody to come into your home, which could it does change the environment of your home where you know, you're having a fight with your significant other, or you need to yell at your kid or have consequences with them, and you've got this person here, that's, that's also taking care of one of your other people. And it gets kind of strange and awkward. And so it can feel a little scary, and there is definitely a shift. But I think just being vulnerable and honest and saying, you know, this is where we're at and having gratitude for, for everything that you've got. And, and being allowing yourself to just let let go and trust that this is going to be okay. And definitely take the baby steps because it's worth it. Once you get the grind down and you get the groove. It's so worth it. To follow up on, you know, what a man has
Matthew Chapman:To follow up on, you know, what a Amanda said, is to ask questions, because you never know, when I said, is to ask questions, because you never know, when I found this, you know, and a lot of scenarios, you never know found this, you know, and a lot of scenarios, you never know what kind of you know, resources are out there until you start what kind of you know, resources are out there until you start asking those questions. And I think that's kind of really our goal in asking those questions. And I think that's kind of really our goal in PDP is like Amanda said, to take off that, that stress or that pressure, you know, that's there to make things, you know, a seamless, easy transition. I've noticed a lot with me taking on the intake of new families. It just seems like there's been this weight lifted off of their shoulders. And it just makes me feel so good that I was able to help them, you know, get started with this. And it's just a really rewarding part of my job that I enjoy. But yeah, my recommendation is to always ask questions, because you never know what's out there until you start asking those questions.
Scott Light:So speaking of questions, how about this, this will be the last one, where can people go for more information about this program?
Matthew Chapman:Yeah. So we have a section on our I Am Boundless website that's kind of got our information on there. And then you can always reach out to your local county board. We are statewide, so pretty much we're we're we're not too far into the outlying counties, but the ones closer to Franklin right outside of Franklin. They know who PDP is. So if you're connected with them, they'll know what you're talking about. And that's, that's one of the one of the main streams of you know, how we get connected with people is through the county board. But you can always go on to the I Am Boundless website and pull up the PDP section of it for our intake information.
Scott Light:Matthew. Amanda, thank you both for being here.
Matthew Chapman:Yeah, thank you. Thanks for having us.
Scott Light:And thanks to our listeners as well. And don't forget to our listeners we always want you to be part of episodes to come. You can email your questions or comments to podcast at Iamboundless.org. Again, don't forget to give us a great review wherever you listen to our episodes. That's yet another way we like to hear from you. This is the Well-being podcast brought to you by Boundless.