In-Home Support

What it is

In-Home Support helps a person live successfully at home and be part of their community. It combines hands-on help with daily activities and teaching, so the person builds skills and relies on themselves more. The support works toward goals in the person’s Individual Support Plan (ISP).

It can work on:

• Self-care and everyday living skills.
• Social skills and taking part in the community.
• Therapy programs at home, directed by a licensed clinician.
• Skills from the person’s Positive Behavior Support Plan.
• Exploring the community to find new interests and new relationships.

It does not pay for the ordinary care and supervision a family normally gives. A family member paid to provide it must meet the same standards as any other worker, and a spouse cannot be paid to provide it.

Who it is for, and who it is not for

• Adults on the IDD Waiver or the IFS Waiver who live on their own or with family or friends.
• People with more complex medical or behavioral health needs can receive High Acuity In-Home Support, which adds nursing oversight and health care coordination. DDS’s Level of Need assessment decides this; on the IDD Waiver the score is 6 or higher.

It is not for people receiving Supported Living, Host Home or Residential Habilitation through the IDD Waiver.

How much is allowed

• Up to 56 hours a week.
• 40 hours a week or more for people with significant needs, as justified in the ISP across daily activities, behavior, health, safety and independence.
• Every hour requested has to support a goal in the ISP.
• In a temporary emergency, such as coming home from the hospital or a main caregiver falling ill, when no other family or community help is available, the provider can ask DDS for up to 112 hours a week until things stabilize (on the IDD Waiver, for up to 180 days), with a written justification and a revised plan.

How it is delivered

• In person, or partly through remote support such as video when the person and their team agree and it is written in the ISP. It can never be remote all of the time, anyone who needs hands-on help during the service gets it in person, and the person can always choose in-person support.
• No video or remote support devices in bedrooms or bathrooms.
• Transportation by the provider during the service is included.
• It can be combined with Medicaid personal care aide (PCA) hours, but not at the same time of day.

How to ask for it

• Talk to your DDA Service Coordinator, who must tell you about every waiver service and offer you a choice of providers.
• Ask for In-Home Support, and the goals it should work on, to be written into the ISP.
• Choose your provider. The choice of agency is yours.
• Ask again when things change. The needs assessment is updated at least once a year and whenever support needs change significantly.

What Mercyland offers

Mercyland is a DDS-certified provider in Northeast Washington, DC. We provide In-Home Support in person and remotely, including High Acuity In-Home Support, for people whose ISP includes it. Whether it fits depends on your waiver, your ISP and our staffing, so call us to talk it through.