Danny Mercado is an Army brat born on March 31, 1982 at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Danny was a 24 year survivor of Hemophilus Influenza Meningitis. He died on February 7, 2007. Danny was an inspiration to all those who came in contact with him - including his parents.
They Created Us is Danny's story and Team Daniel, LLC is his legacy.
Recently, Team Daniel has expanded its mission to include service provision to North Carolina Medicaid waiver recipients. We honor Danny by sharing his story with other families and providing a business model through Team Daniel focused on the principles of self-determination.
What is Team Daniel?
Team Daniel is enrolled with the Division of Medical Assistance (Medicaid) to provide CAP MR/DD waiver services to recipients across North Carolina. Team Daniel has gone through the same process as any other provider of CAP MR/DD services. Team Daniel has the authority to bill Medicaid for community based services, including Home & Community Supports, Personal Care Services, Respite Care, Individual/Caregiver Training & Education, Supported Employment, and Residential Supports. However, the Team Daniel business model is very different from the traditional provider agency. When consumers join the Team Daniel family, a co-employer relationship is established with the consumer/family and a Consumer Operating Budget is developed.
What makes Team Daniel different from the rest?
The Co-Employer Relationship
In the co-employer relationship, specific responsibilities are outlined for both the consumer/family and Team Daniel. The responsibilities of the consumer/family include selecting staff for hire, setting wages for staff within the constraints of the Consumer Operating Budget, training and evaluating staff on their job performance, determining raises for staff, and ensuring all paperwork is received in the Team Daniel office in a timely manner. The responsibilities of Team Daniel include hiring staff selected by families in compliance with Department of Labor and Medicaid requirements, provide training to all staff in compliance with Medicaid regulations, handle payroll services in a timely manner, and bill Medicaid according to services provided.
The Consumer Operating Budget & Consumer Needs Account
Our present consumers benefit tremendously from the development of the Consumer Operating Budget. The ability for families to hire their own staff and set wages has in most cases alleviated the stress of frequent staff turnover. In addition, the Consumer Operating Budget includes a line item called the Consumer Needs Account, a unique development that allows families to purchase additional equipment, services, and supports to meet the needs of the consumer. Access to the Consumer Needs Account allows families to meet needs without the enormous paperwork required by Medicaid. Families are also able to purchase equipment denied by Medicaid but approved by therapists and physicians along with additional therapy and supports as outlined in the consumer's Plan of Care.
Health benefits and 401K options are also available to all Team Daniel employees.
Team Daniel believes in the principles of Self-Determination - freedom, authority, support, responsibility.
Team Daniel has incorporated these principles into their business model to the maximum extent allowed by the rules and regulations established by the NC Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse. In addition, Team Daniel contributes a portion of its profit to the Team Daniel Respite Fund, which provides services for families of children and adults with disabilities who are currently waiting for services.
It is our goal to inform CAP MR/DD consumers/families across the state of a unique business model that shifts control from the provider agency to the consumer/family.
To select Team Daniel as your provider of CAP MR/DD services, please call or email the Team Daniel office at (910) 987-0276 - dmercado@teamdaniel.info
Team Daniel is interested in sharing its knowledge with families across the country. For those families outside the state of North Carolina, please contact Denise Mercado at (910) 987-3809; dmercado@teamdaniel.info
Team Daniel is Owned and operated by parent advocates with over 24 years of first hand experience in the DD world.