This year has made us keenly aware of the need for a connection to other human beings, and painfully aware of what it’s like to be separated, especially from family. If you’ve felt too distant from your loved one who is living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), you may want to know more about Colorado’s Family Caregiver option.
When a child with IDD reaches age 18, there are several residential and care choices including a group home or the residence of a Host Home Provider. Family caregiving options are available as well but are less known. This option allows persons to reside with a family member or even have services provided in their own home.
In 2008, Colorado passed the Family Caregiver Act, which was fully implemented in November 2010. This legislation provides broader choices of residential care for Individuals who are already receiving services funded by the Colorado Division for Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
This option, as is the case with the Host Home Provider program, is overseen by a Program Approved Service Agency (PASA) such as Evergreen Service Providers and gives the IDD Individual the option to reside in the home of an eligible family member, who is able to comply with state requirements for training and certification and serve as their caregiver. Family Caregivers are reimbursed for services they provide to their IDD family members, with payment amounts based on the Individual’s identified needs.
In general, families will typically work through a PASA or Community Centered Board (CCB) and must meet the requirements to be an employee or independent contractor, depending on how the agency is structured. Family caregivers must be capable of providing the services specified in the Individual’s annual Service Plan, which have been identified by their interdisciplinary team (IDT) and fulfill the same documentation and monitoring requirements as those of a Host Home Provider (HHP). The place of residence must also meet specific requirements.
To learn more about residential options for IDD Individuals living in Colorado, with an in-depth look at the Family Caregiver option, watch our on-demand video, Pathway to Care for IDD Adults. Visit our Family Caregivers FAQs page for a downloadable PDF that provides helpful details.
The Family Caregiver option can provide creative, flexible solutions for those Individuals who prefer or need alternatives to typical residential programs and can serve to bring families closer together in this time when those closer connections can be comforting and healing for all concerned. To get started or for more information contact us or a Community Centered Board in your area.
