Interview with Melissa Mazaeda: Why Support Coordination Matters
Every individual needs support to thrive. Within Florida’s Medicaid waiver for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a waiver support coordinator plays a central role in helping people navigate a complex system. In this interview, longtime coordinator and advocate Melissa Mazaeda shares how quality support coordination improves services and how individuals can advocate for themselves.
Q: Can you introduce yourself and your experience?
Melissa Mazaeda: I’ve been a Waiver Support Coordinator since Florida’s waiver program began in 1993. For more than 30 years, I’ve supported individuals with developmental disabilities and their families while advocating for improvements at both local and state levels.
Q: What does a waiver support coordinator do?
Melissa Mazaeda: It’s the only federally required service in the iBudget Waiver, so it’s the foundation of the system. Coordinators connect individuals to services, provide education, and act as advocates. We work for the individual and their family, focusing on understanding their goals and making sure services are effective and meaningful.
Q: Why is quality support coordination so important?
Melissa Mazaeda: It directly impacts quality of life. A coordinator who is responsive, knowledgeable, and respectful can significantly improve outcomes.
Q: What does good support coordination look like day to day?
Melissa Mazaeda: It means being responsive, following through, staying organized, and truly getting to know the individual while ensuring services meet their needs.
Q: What challenges do families face in the system?
Melissa Mazaeda: The system is complex. Families often struggle with Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and long-term planning, which can feel overwhelming without guidance.
Q: How does a strong coordinator improve services?
Melissa Mazaeda: They build a strong team, ensure clear communication, resolve issues, and empower individuals to take control of their services in a respectful, person-centered way.
Q: What advice would you give to families not getting the support they need?
Melissa Mazaeda: Communicate your concerns first. If things don’t improve, you have the right to choose a coordinator who is a better fit.
Q: What role does self-advocacy play?
Melissa Mazaeda: It’s essential. Real change happens when individuals speak up and are heard.
Q: What changes would you like to see?
Melissa Mazaeda: More consistent standards and better support for coordinators committed to doing this work well. It’s challenging, but very rewarding. When support coordination is done well, it is one of the most challenging roles, but also can be one of the most rewarding. As we tell our new WSCs: “it’s the hardest job you’ll ever love.”
Join the Conversation
Presented by: Melissa Mazaeda
Location: Virtual
Event Details:
Thursday, May 21 · 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Time zone: America/New_York
Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/
Join Melissa Mazaeda for a deeper discussion on support coordination, advocacy, and navigating the waiver system.
RSVP here: https://lovelandcenter.