Navigation Services

Resource Coordination

Our Resource Navigator collaborates with individuals and their families to identify barriers to resources and to create a specialized list of services tailored to their specific needs.

Services include:

• Tailored resource identification customized to clients’ specific needs.
• Assistance in locating and vetting trusted sources of information.
• Providing access to self-help materials.
• Making precise referrals to our trusted community partners.

Misha Trivedi, MS

Misha is the intake screener for WAA. She is the first point of contact and face of WAA for families and individuals seeking help to navigate through myriads of needs. Misha has over 10 years of experience at nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Misha first started with WAA in 2018 as a volunteer and on staff in 2023. She has worked in a few roles on various projects. She feels passionate about the mission of WAA and the help she is able to provide by being a part of a goal driven, compassionate team. She has an MS in Computer Engineering and a Masters in social communications and outreach science. She loves traveling, volunteering at her children’s schools, playing board games with her kids and cooking for her family.

Multi-System Navigation

Multi-system navigation services are designed to provide expert guidance and support to families caring for individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly Autism, across their entire lifespan.

The core service components include:

• Systems Expertise and Navigation: Guiding families through complex and often fragmented systems, including healthcare, education (K-12 Special Education/IEP/504), and state services. This navigation spans from Early Intervention through the transition to adult services, such as DDA, DVR, and Social Security (SSI/SSDI).
• Expert Advocacy: Providing advocacy from early intervention through adulthood and challenging systemic barriers to ensure the individual's needs are met.
• Coaching and Empowerment: Working with families to move them "from crisis to self-empowerment" by teaching them advocacy skills and providing a comprehensive knowledge of local and federal resources, service providers, and benefit programs like Medicaid and DDA waivers.
• Lifespan Planning: Familiarity with long-term "future planning," including options like guardianship alternatives, Special Needs Trusts, and ABLE accounts.

Special Education Coaching

Our Special Education coach provides one-on-one coaching to help families advocate for their student and secure the services they need.

Services include:

• Identifying needs and creating a detailed action plan.
• Reviewing files, such as IEPs and evaluations.
• Clarifying processes and regulations regarding Special Education Law.
• Providing practical strategies and helping families prepare for school meetings.
• Assisting with formal documentation and written communication.
• Providing further legal referrals when necessary.

Lisa Cushman, MS Ed

Lisa has experience on both sides of the special education table. Her favorite role is being a mom to a young woman who lives on the autism spectrum. She has also worked as a general and special education teacher. Lisa is passionate about helping individuals and their loved ones advocate for their right to a Free Appropriate Public Education. Lisa holds a Masters degree in Curriculum Development and Instruction and a Bachelor degree in Education with emphasis on Special Education. She was formerly a teacher with a Washington public school district.

Private Insurance Appeals Navigation

Our Private Insurance Appeal navigator provides comprehensive support for families appealing unreasonable denial of medically necessary mental health benefits by private insurance companies.

These mental health benefits include:

• Neurodevelopmental Therapies: Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy
• Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
• Mental Health Services (Including outpatient and inpatient residential counseling servic

Services include:

• Guiding clients and families through establishing medical necessity.
• Providing guidance for obtaining relevant documents and reviewing files.
• Drafting appeal letters and preparing submissions.
• Consulting on next steps following the appeal decision.

Need help with a Medicaid appeal?  Please contact WAA for a full intake screening to see if you qualify for pro-bono services.

Crisis Stabilization Navigation

Our Crisis Stabilization Navigator assists people affected by Autism or developmental disability who are in or at immediate risk of losing school or residential placement due to complex support needs.

These critical services are meant for those experiencing:

• Imminent loss of placement and services in least restrictive settings
• Housing instability
• Risk of imminent harm to self or others
• Substantial functional limitations in four or more of the following major life activities:
  • Self-care
  • Receptive and expressive language (communication)
  • Learning
  • Self-direction
  • Capacity for independent living

Elevating Independence: Strategic Parent Coaching for the Neurodivergent Young Adult

Parenting doesn't stop when your child grows up. If you're supporting an older adolescent or adult child who is neurodivergent, you may still feel overwhelmed by:

• Intense emotions or anxiety
• Challenging behaviors
• The complexities of adult life skills and transitions

You might be asking:

• Why are they struggling with this transition?
• Am I offering the right support?
• What do they truly need to build independence?

You are not alone, and you don't have to figure out this next chapter by yourself.

Misha Trivedi, MS

Misha is the intake screener for WAA. She is the first point of contact and face of WAA for families and individuals seeking help to navigate through myriads of needs. Misha has over 10 years of experience at nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Misha first started with WAA in 2018 as a volunteer and on staff in 2023. She has worked in a few roles on various projects. She feels passionate about the mission of WAA and the help she is able to provide by being a part of a goal driven, compassionate team. She has an MS in Computer Engineering and a Masters in social communications and outreach science. She loves traveling, volunteering at her children’s schools, playing board games with her kids and cooking for her family.

Please note that WAA does not provide emergency behavioral health services. If you are experiencing an emergency: CONTACT 988, go to your nearest EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, or visit Mental Health America.