Creating independence, inclusion, and meaningful support for every family.
Supporting a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) is a journey filled with care, commitment, and deep love. In Washington, D.C., families do not have to walk this path alone. The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver system exists so that people with IDD can thrive, not in institutions, but right at home and in the communities they love.
The system is run by the Department on Disability Services (DDS). It is the foundation of disability support in D.C., and providers like Mercyland Healthcare work within it to deliver the daily services, guidance, and person-centered care that help people build connected, empowered lives.
Why the waiver matters
Not long ago, people with IDD were often placed in large institutions, far from their families, friends, and everyday life. We now understand how harmful and isolating that was.
In 1999, a landmark Supreme Court decision, Olmstead v. L.C., confirmed that keeping someone in an institution unnecessarily is a form of discrimination. That ruling opened the door to a new vision of disability support, one rooted in rights, choice, and belonging in the community.
The HCBS Waiver program brings that vision to life. It uses Medicaid funding to deliver support where people belong: in their homes, their neighborhoods, and their communities. The result is greater independence, dignity, opportunity, and joy.
What makes D.C.’s HCBS Waiver so powerful for families
A support plan built around the person
Every person is unique, and their services should be too. Through Person-Centered Planning, families work with a team to create an Individual Support Plan (ISP) shaped around their loved one’s goals, abilities, challenges, and dreams. It is not about fitting a person into a program. It is about shaping the program around the person.
A wide range of services to meet real needs
The waiver covers the resources that help people live safely, happily, and independently in their community. These may include:
- In-home personal care, such as bathing, dressing, meals, and laundry
- Skill building and daily living training
- Supported employment and job coaching
- Behavioral support
- Therapies such as speech, occupational, or physical therapy
- Community integration activities
- Home modifications such as ramps or safety adaptations
- Respite care, so family caregivers can rest and recharge
Together, these services create stability, growth, and a higher quality of life.
Who can apply
A person may qualify if they:
- Have an intellectual or developmental disability
- Need a level of support similar to what an institution would provide
- Meet the standard Medicaid financial eligibility rules
If these apply, they may be eligible for services that help them live fully and safely in the community. You can start an application on the DDS How to Apply page.
We’re here to help
At Mercyland Healthcare, we walk alongside families as they navigate the HCBS Waiver and every stage of the support journey. If you have questions or need guidance, our team is here with clarity, compassion, and a deep belief in every person’s potential. Call us: 202-525-1563. Visit: mercylandhi.com
