If you are in search of care for someone with developmental or intellectual disabilities, help is available. Kentucky offers multiple, state-funded Medicaid waivers for families in need. “The Kentucky Medicaid waivers have been absolutely vital to members of the community with developmental and intellectual disabilities,” says Heartfelt Solutions director of operations Missy Hughes. “People are able to access their communities with less barriers, get jobs, make friends, and enjoy life in the same way someone without disabilities can.”
The five main forms of aid available in the Commonwealth include:
• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver: This waiver is for adults with an acquired brain injury who can benefit from intensive rehabilitation services. The services are designed to help participants re-enter the community and function independently, and include adult day training, individual and group counseling, environmental and minor home modifications, and companion services, among others.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Trust Fund: This fund was established to provide flexible funding and support to those with brain injuries. People with a partial or total disability caused by injury to the brain are eligible to receive support from this fund. Their injuries may be a result of physical trauma, damage resulting from a lack of oxygen, allergic conditions, toxic substances, and other medical incidents, including damage caused by drug overdoses or alcohol poisoning. Services include case management, community residential services, structured day programs, psychological services, occupational therapy, and speech/language services, to name a few.
• Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver: The HCB waiver helps children and adults with physical disabilities live in their community as independently as possible. Services include adult day health care, attendant care, home delivered meals, non-specialized and specialized respite care, and more.
• Michelle P. Waiver (MPW): This waiver aids individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, helping them live in the community as independently as possible. Participants may receive behavioral support, day training, environmental and minor home adaptation, personal care, respite, or other services. Individuals may qualify if they would be admitted to an intermediate care facility — for individuals with an intellectual disability — or a nursing facility if they did not have waiver services; require a protected environment while learning living skills, gaining educational experiences, and developing an awareness of their environment; and meet the financial qualifications for Medicaid.
• Supports for Community Living (SCL) Waiver: Like the Michelle P. Waiver, SCL provides assistance to individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability to help them live in the community as independently as possible. Services include but are not limited to environmental accessibility adaptation, vehicle adaptation, personal assistance, positive behavior supports, and residential support services. Eligible individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability must also meet the financial qualifications for Medicaid as well as the requirements for residence in an intermediate care facility if they have an intellectual disability.
As the Heartfelt Solutions staff continues their mission is to improve the quality of life and increase independence for its patients, they are happy to accept both the Michelle P. Waiver as well as the Supports for Community Living Waiver. “Without the option to participate in one of the available Medicaid waivers,” Missy says, “many individuals would not be able to stay in their community or home. These waivers provide an alternative to institutional living which in turn creates a more meaningful life for those we serve.”
The intention of the state-offered waivers is to ensure lifelong skills for future independence are gained, so people can live fuller lives while being connected and contributing to their community. For more information or to apply for aid, click the links above or call Heartfelt Solutions at (502) 915-8343.