Good News for Families Waiting for Services

Thanks to action by our state legislature this past session, 4,000—5,000 individuals and families on DDA’s No Paid Services (NPS) caseload will begin to get services by 2017.

The increase in services comes from two major program shifts to take place over the next two years:

1. Moving the state-funded Individual and Families Services program to a federal Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program. This move allows the state to capture a 50% match in federal funds, increasing the overall dollar amount available to serve more people.

2. Giving the state the authority to develop the Community First Choice Option (CFCO), which is a Medicaid option that draws a higher federal match. Some people refer to it as “refinancing” Medicaid Personal Care. Again, the increased federal match increases funding to serve more people.

Next Steps

A workgroup is meeting to prepare for these new program changes, including any impact to the existing service system. If you are on the No Paid Services caseload, it is important that you position yourself to take advantage of future program enrollment openings.

As we learn more, we’ll keep you posted on what’s happening and what you can do to help ensure that your child receives the services s/he needs.

In the meantime, check out the Informing Families, Building Trust video series on DDA services to become familiar with the current wavier services and community-based programs.