Waiver services are full-service packages for individuals with disabilities that include respite and case management along with personal care services. A case manager coordinates all aspects of the iindividual’s services. He/She attends school meetings, arranges treatment teams, meets with families and their providers and gives wrap around support. Respite is a critically important function of the waiver. We serve individuals who need interventions through the night and many of our consumers require eyes-on supervision at all times. The constant needs of the child exhaust parents. Respite offers much deserved breaks, and allows parents to replenish themselves. Respite also helps parents to stay in the workforce, as sometimes the ‘break’ is the parents going to work.
Personal Care is a Medicaid program that allows Families First to hire 1:1 providers who can go into the home, school and community to help special needs children with adaptive or daily living. Included in our caseload are children and young adults who live with Asperger’s, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, Epilepsy, Hunter’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Some of these children are working on skills that able-bodied people take for granted, such as brusshing teeth and using utensils for a meal. Some children are working on community skills like taking turns and waiting in line. Whatever the skills to be attained, Families First finds a provider who builds a special relationship with both the child and their parents. We have found that a genuinely caring and nurturing relationship helps children progress significantly. Parents often tell us that the provider has been “like family”.
Forms:
Developmental disability services Forms:
Developmental Services Handbook
Children’s Personal Care Services (CPCS)
Forms.
