BLUE EARTH COUNTY

HUMAN SERVICES

Programs Available for Persons with Disabilities

The following information is provided as an overview to the programs that are open to people with disabilities. Most of the programs are specific to people with mental retardation or a related condition. However, some of the programs may be appropriate for people with other types of disabilities. These are brief descriptions, and you should ask your case manager for more information, including more information on the “eligibility criteria” for each program. Note that while funding comes from a variety of different sources, access to any program happens at the county level. To simplify each category, reference is made to people with MR/RC. This means people who have a diagnosis of either mental retardation or a related condition that results in a disability similar to mental retardation. Also, for many of the services people must be eligible for Medical Assistance, or MA.

Case Management/Service Coordination

• Services are usually given through the county, and include things such as intake and eligibility, developing a service plan, identifying needs and providers, accessing services, monitoring and evaluation.
• This is a mandated service – which means that anyone who meets eligibility criteria may receive the service.

Family Support

• A program for families who have a child with MR/RC or another certified disability living at home. Disability certification happens through the Social Security Administration or State Medical Review Team.
• It provides up to $3,000 per year for expenses families assume as a result of the disability.

Respite

• Respite is providing for another caregiver for families who have a child with a disability in order to give them some relief from care giving.

Semi-Independent Living Services (SILS)

• Provides services to adults with a developmental disability living in their home and in the community. Common areas of support include: meal planning/preparation, money management, home maintenance, and self-administration of medications.
• People usually receive a certain number of hours of service each week.

MR/RC Waiver

• Uses Medical Assistance dollars to provide a wide range of home and community-based services to people with MR/RC. Ask your case manager for more information on the specific services that can be purchased. Please note that the services can include a wide variety of areas, including needs relating to the home or residence, as well as job-related needs.
• People receiving waivered services must need a 24-hour plan of care, live in an intermediate care facility, or be at risk of such a placement if there were no services available.
• There may be a “waiting list” for this service, as services are provided depending on available funding.

Intermediate Care Facility

• Many people think of an ICF as a “group home.” A facility provides a complete package of services including training and supervision, room and board, transportation, and sometimes medical services. Vocational services may also be part of the “package.”
• Funding comes from Medical Assistance.
• People must have a MR/RC diagnosis, need a 24-hour plan of care, and be eligible for Medical Assistance. This is an “entitlement,” which means that people are entitled to the service if they meet all the eligibility criteria.

Day Training and Habilitation:

• Work-related services including training and supervision, in a site or in community-based employment situations.

Home Care:

• Personal Care Assistant services (PCA) are medically oriented services required because of a person’s physical or mental impairment. Services include assistance with daily living activities such as dressing eating, grooming, seizure disorders, and behavioral issues.
• The amount of PCA services must be medically necessary, authorized by a physician, documented in a plan, and provided in the person’s home or similar location.
• There are also other home care services available to people of all ages and disabilities, if it is determined that assistance is needed in these areas.
• Funding for home care services comes from Medical Assistance.

Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals Waiver (CADI):

• This waiver provides a variety of services as an alternative to individuals who require a nursing home level of care. Services could include respite care, personal care assistance, therapies, independent living skills, and homemaker services, among others.
• To be eligible a person must be under age 65, be disabled, require a nursing home level of care, and be eligible for Medical Assistance.

Community Alternative Care:

• Similar services as for CADI, but the person requires a hospital level of care.

Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver (TBI):

• Allows the use of Medical Assistance funding for people with a brain injury and significant cognitive and behavioral deficits. This waiver is to be used as an alternative to a specialized nursing facility or neurobehavioral hospital.
• A variety of services many be purchased, including therapies, independent living skills, nursing, day programs, companion services, and more. Ask your case manager for more information.
• There are several criteria individuals must meet in order to be eligible.
• Funding comes from Medical Assistance.

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