Care Manager resolve makes circumstances better

Care Manager Kari Martin worked with Savion practically his whole life. She first engaged with him as a speech therapist when he was a little boy and came to know his family well.

When Kari was assigned as his Care Manager, everyone was happy. “Savion is a joy to be around,” said Kari. “He’s very smart and has an incredible memory. He’s also a great artist.”

When Savion’s mother fell ill, she was in and out of the hospital and eventually, was admitted to a nursing home. Savion had a sister at home, but there was no transportation, and she couldn’t get him to medical appointments, so his prescriptions lapsed.

Kari stepped in at this critical moment. To get Savion back on his medications, he needed to re-establish with a primary care doctor and get a physical. With Savion’ s mother no longer around, the family also needed assistance with their apartment and getting food.

“I knew it was time for a residential referral,” said Kari. With careful research, paperwork, and his mother’s approval, Kari found Savion a new home at an Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA), an OPWDD-funded residence option.

With that important change, Kari says Savion now sleeps better and is making friends. “At home, he was secluded from the rest of the world. Now, he’s much more animated. He’s more like the little boy I knew 20 years ago.”

The Member’s name has been changed to protect the individual’s privacy.