About the HCBS Waiver for Californians with Developmental Disabilities
California’s HCBS Waiver offers community-based services not otherwise available through a participant’s Medicaid Program. The purpose of the HCBS Waiver is to serve participants in their own homes and communities as an alternative to placing Medicaid-eligible individuals in intermediate care facilities for persons with developmental disabilities. The HCBS Waiver program recognizes that many individuals at risk of being placed in these facilities can be cared for in their homes and communities, preserving their independence and ties to family and friends at a cost no higher than that of institution care.
Community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities are provided through a statewide system of 21 private, non-profit corporations known as regional centers. Regional centers, as established by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Service Act, provide fixed points of contact in the community for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Regional centers coordinate and/or provide community-based services to eligible individuals. The Regional centers are community-based nonprofit corporations governed by volunteer Boards of Directors that include individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, a representative of the vendor community, and other defined community representatives.
Regional centers are funded through contracts with the State Department of Developmental Services (DDS). They are responsible for the provision of outreach; intake, assessment, evaluation and diagnostic services; and case management/service coordination for persons with developmental disabilities and persons who are at risk of becoming developmentally disabled. In addition, regional centers are responsible for developing, maintaining, monitoring and funding a wide range of services and supports to implement the plans of care – known as Individual Program Plans (IPP) – for participants. The IPPs are developed using a person-centered planning approach. Regional centers also conduct quality assurance activities in the community, and maintain and monitor a wide array of qualified service providers.
Regional centers are responsible for ensuring that eligible participants who want to participate on the Waiver are enrolled, service providers meet the qualifications for providing Waiver services, IPPs are developed and monitored, participant health and welfare is addressed and monitored, and financial accountability is assured.
DDS ensures, under the oversight of the Department of Health Care Services, the State Medicaid agency, that the HCBS Waiver is implemented by regional center in accordance with Medicaid law and the State’s approved Waiver application. The HCBS Waiver affords Californians the flexibility to develop and implement creative, community alternatives to institutions. Californians HCBS Waiver services are available to regional center participants who are Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) eligible and meet the level of care requirements for an intermediate care facility serving individuals with developmental disabilities.
California’s first Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Californians with developmental disabilities was approved effective July 1982 with a total enrollment cap of 3,360. This Waiver amendment application seeks to enroll up to 150,000 individuals by December 31, 2022.
Self-Determination
The Self-Determination Program is an option for Californians who qualify for services under the California Self-Determination Program Waiver for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. This program offers individuals the freedom to self-direct all services that they qualify to receive. Under this Program, participants have employer authority and budget authority.
This program is currently in pre-launch, with 2,500 individuals qualified to receive services, and a waitlist of 7,500+ individuals. The program opens state-wide in June 2021.
To be added to the waitlist, so that you can start receiving services should a spot open up or upon the program’s June 2021 launch, contact your local regional center. To find the regional center nearest to your place of residence, please go to: https://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/listings/.
About the California Self-Determination Program Waiver for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
California’s Self Determination Program (SDP) Waiver for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities offers home and community-based services not otherwise available through a participant’s Medicaid program. The purpose of the SDP Waiver is to serve participants in their own homes and communities as an alternative to receiving services in an intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities. The SDP Waiver allows participants the opportunity to accept greater control and responsibility regarding the delivery of needed services. With the receipt of appropriate supports and information, participants will be able to manage their service mix within an individual budget amount to achieve the goals and objectives of their individual program plans.
In California, community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities are provided through a statewide system of 21 private, non-profit corporations known as regional centers. Regional centers, as established by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Service Act, provide fixed points of contact in the community for persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Regional centers coordinate and/or provide community-based services to eligible individuals. The regional centers are community-based nonprofit corporations governed by volunteer Boards of Directors that include individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, a representative of the vendor community, and other defined community representatives.
Regional centers are funded through contracts with the State Department of Developmental Services (DDS). They are responsible for the provision of outreach; intake, assessment, evaluation and diagnostic services; and case management/service coordination for persons with developmental disabilities and persons who are at risk of becoming developmentally disabled. In addition, regional centers are responsible for developing, maintaining, monitoring and funding a wide range of services and supports to implement the plans of care [or individual program plans (IPP)] for participants. The IPPs are developed using a person-centered planning approach.
DDS ensures, under the oversight of the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the State Medicaid Agency, that the SDP Waiver is implemented by regional centers in accordance with Medicaid law and the State’s approved Waiver application.