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Autism Waiver: Fact Sheet Posted By: Caliboo818
Posted On: 05/30/2008
I found this to be very interestering and hope parent can get some use out of this
Autism Waiver: Fact Sheet
The Autism Waiver is designed for adults 21 years and older living in Pennsylvania.

Priority is given to those who are not currently receiving ongoing state funded or state and federally funded long-term care services.

Initial Capacity will serve 200 consumers statewide.

To be eligible for the Autism Waiver, a person must:


Live in Pennsylvania or plan to live in Pennsylvania by time of enrollment
Have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Be 21 years or older by time of enrollment
Meet Medical Assistance financial eligibility
Meet Intermediate Care Facility level of care
IQ is NOT considered for eligibility

The following services are available in this waiver:


Assistive Technology
Behavioral Specialist Services
Community Inclusion
Community Transition Services
Counseling
Day Habilitation
Environmental Modifications
Family Counseling
Family Training
Job Assessment and Finding
Nutritional Consultation
Occupational Therapy
Residential Habilitation
Respite
Speech/Language Therapy
Supported Employment
Supports Coordination (Case Management)
Temporary Crisis Services
Transitional Work Services

The Supports Coordinator will conduct reevaluations annually and services can change based on need.

All written materials will be produced in both English and Spanish; there is also a toll free number for persons with limited English proficiency to access this information in Spanish, Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Russian.

Each waiver consumer will have an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) that includes:


Information about who they like and admire
What activities they prefer
Any allergies or other health concerns
A record of fire and traffic safety knowledge amongst others
Goals and achievements
Along with other important information that is a part of the participant’s everyday life.

Consumers may choose the provider for each service in their Individual Service Plan.

The Bureau of Autism Services will directly administer this waiver.

Providers throughout the state are welcome to apply to be Autism Waiver providers through the Bureau of Autism Services and the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP). (See the Provider FAQ)

Providers will be required to complete Autism-specific training which consists of nine (9) Web-based training modules supplied by the Bureau of Autism Services.

Technical assistance is available as needed to providers from the Bureau of Autism Services and the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP).

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced on May 22, 2008, that Pennsylvania has been approved for a first-of-its-kind federal waiver program to provide home and community based services specifically for adults with autism. The $20 million-a-year waiver program, which is expected to serve up to 200 individuals 21 years of age and older with autism, was approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Prior to its approval, no dedicated services existed for adults with autism in Pennsylvania.

Application for a §1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (PDF download)

Persons interested in applying for the Autism Waiver can call (toll-free) 866-539-7689 beginning July 1, 2008. Requests for applications will be accepted for six weeks, ending Aug. 11, 2008. Requests will only be accepted by phone.

Other Resources
       
carmel66 wrote this reply on 05/30/2008
They had this in Massachusetts as well. 80 grants for the ENTIRE state!!! I understand that it is a pilot project and they are trying to understand how to administer it but it's heartbreaking to read that on the sheet...

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