Agency With Choice (AWC)

What is Agency With Choice (AWC)?

Agency With Choice (AWC) 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, Inc. 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.

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 a Co-Employment Model Work?

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

How Does AWC Differ from the Traditional Provider Agency?

Because of the shared 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 Responsibilities of an AWC Agency?

• Financial Management Services: Processing payroll and time sheets, withholding taxes, paying workers compensation, issuing W-2 forms, maintaining financial records, and producing a monthly financial statement to families;
• Human Resources Services: Background checks of all types (including CORI's), managing fringe benefits, and insuring INS compliance;
• Training and Supervision of Employees.