Archived: Increase percentage of clients with Developmental Disabilities served in home and community-based settings

The vast majority of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities prefer to receive services at home or in community-based settings. More and more families are asking for services that help them to be part of the community where they live. In addition, home and community-based services are more cost-effective than care in a facility. By increasing the percentage of people served at home or in the community, we are meeting their needs and sustaining our ability to provide services in the future.

The majority of individuals are currently served in the community but we still have work to do. Potential barriers to serving people at home are:

• Lack of funding for community-based services;
• Lack of flexibility in existing supports and services to meet the unique needs of individuals;
• Lack of awareness by individuals and their families regarding the availability of community services; and
• A service delivery system that has not kept pace with the current needs of individuals.

• Reviewing individual waiver enrollment requests on a weekly basis in order to quickly determine if the person qualifies for additional support;
• Moving individuals who live in the Residential Habilitation Centers to community-based settings when requested by the individual and family;
• Expanding capacity of the Basic Plus waiver, Core waiver and implementing the new Individual Family Service waiver to support individuals to remain in their own homes;
• Conducting quarterly meetings with stakeholders to evaluate and improve services provided by the Administration; and
• Implementing the Community First Choice State Plan which expands service options to participants to meet their health and welfare needs.

Learn more about services available for people with developmental disabilities at: Services and Programs (non-residential)