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The Arc of Illinois has published the following information on the Home-Based Support Waiver for Children with Developmental Disabilities.   Go the their webpage at http://www.thearcofil.org for more information. 

1. What is the Home-Based Support Waiver for Children?

The new Home-Based Support Waiver for Children will be a new Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver (1915(c) for children with developmental disabilities in Illinois .The waiver will provide services and supports to participating children to enable their families to keep them at home and avoid residential placement. 

The Waiver was approved June 6, 2007. 

The current plan is for the waiver to roll out in 2 phases:

The first phase will be “conversion”. This means that children currently enrolled in the DHS/DDD 72D Program will be enrolled in the new waiver. 

The second phase will be “expansion”. This means that new applications will be accepted for children whose families have completed the PUNS form (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) with their local Independent Service Coordination agency. 

Dates have not yet been established for the “start up” of the Children’s Support Waiver, and the number of children who will be allowed to participate each year has not yet been confirmed. We estimate that 150 new enrollments are possible for children beginning at or round January, 2008. 

2. Who is eligible to apply for the waiver?

Children with developmental disabilities including children with autism ages 3-21 years currently living at home with their families in Illinois and are believed to be at-risk for out-of-home placement may apply for the new waiver. 

3. What does “at risk of out-of-home placement” mean?

This means that the extent of care required to maintain the child at home is so extensive - due to the severity of the developmental disability and its impact on the family - that the parents would consider residential placement for their child. 

4. How do I get started with the application process?

The first step in the application process is to schedule an appointment with your local Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agency to complete the PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) form and request their assistance in applying for the new waiver. This process is most often referred to as “Pre-admission Screening” or “PAS.” 

For more information about finding your ISC agency and the PUNS form, contact the Illinois Life Span Project at 800-588-7002. 

You will also be required to provide “proof of identity” (your child’s birth certificate) and “proof of disability” (medical records, letters from the Social Security Administration). 

5. What is covered by the new waiver?

Services to be covered by the new waiver will be determined on an individual basis by the family and their “service facilitator.” 

The waiver is considered to be “the payor of last resort”. This means that the family must document their efforts to obtain needed services and supports from their child’s private insurance (if any), the All Kids insurance which is provided to all waiver recipients, the school system (from the child’s IEP) . 

Examples of services/supports that may be covered by the waiver include:

·         Applied Behavior Analysis, Personal assistance services, Respite care

·         Therapies (such at PT,OT,ST,behavioral therapy, feeding therapy, music therapy, hydrotherapy)

·         Home modification for physical accessibility as well as for safety

·         Durable Medical Equipment (DME) not otherwise covered

·         Assistive Technology not otherwise covered 

6. Are there any co-payments or family fees for supports in this waiver?

There are no fees or resource restrictions for the family. 

7. What financial resources are available to families?

Eligible children can receive supports and services valued up to $1,246 per month (two times SSI). 

8. Who helps families find providers and access services under the new waiver?

Families work with a Service Facilitator to individually design a package of supports and services that will most effectively support the child and the family.    

9. When will the new waiver begin?

The start date for the new waiver will be around July 1, 2007. 

10. How can I get more information about the new waiver?

Families can contact the Illinois Life Span Project, www.illinoislifespan.org, or 800-588-7002

The Family to Family Health Information and Education Center, http://www.thearcofil.org/familytofamily or 866-931-1110 

Information updates will be posted on The Arc of Illinois website, http://www.thearcofil.org on a frequent basis. See New Children’s Waiver Information section. 

Updates are also available on the Family Support Network website at:  http://www.familysupportnetwork.org

11. What options are available for my child in the meantime?
1. If your child is currently enrolled in All Kids health insurance, it may be possible for him/her to receive NCPAS (nursing care and personal assistance services) at home if your child’s doctor determines this to be medically necessary.

Contact the The Arc Family to Family Health Information and Education Center at 866-931-1110 for more information. 

2. If your child is currently “at risk of out-of-home placement”, you can contact your Independent Service Coordination Agency and request that an application be submitted to DHS for 72D services.
3. Contact the Illinois Life Span Project at 800-588-7002 for more information.