Agency with Choice (AWC)

Agency with Choice is a new model to support individuals/families to engage in self-direction. It is an approach to service delivery that supports people with disabilities to live the lives that they desire by allowing people to exercise authority over potential staff who support them.  AWC is also known as a co-employment model. Wraparound Family Services is an experienced Agency with Choice provider and partners with families to hire the individual staff workers chosen to provide their services. The individual worker becomes an employee of WFS and we help family train and manage the staff person. ​

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What is self-direction?

A way for individuals and families to achieve self-determination. Individuals and families will have more control and flexibility to find or create the supports they need to do the things they really want to do.

How does Co-employment model work?

The employer duties are split between the agency which serves as the employer, and individual/fimaly who serves as the managing employer under an agreement.

How does AWC differ from the traditional provider agency? ​

Because of the sharing responsibility under agreement, individuals and families are responsible for selecting the employees, setting the working hours, and daily management of employees. Under AWC individuals and families have the right to dismiss an employee from working for you.

What are the overall responsibility of an AWC?

1. Financial management services:  processing payroll and timesheets, withholding taxes, paying workers compensation, issue W-2 forms, maintaining all financial records, and producing a monthly financial statement to families.
2. Human resource service: Background checks of all types (including CORIs), handling fringe benefits,  and insuring INS compliance.
3. And information and guidance around training and supervision of employees.