So my colleagues at Medicaid thought that perhaps I should reframe my query below as the live in caregiver service because the term “shared living” for this service is apparently unique to Virginia. SO, resending
in the event that this may spark more response. THANKS SO MUCH!.
INITIAL MESSAGE--Our newly designed DD waivers have shared living as a new service whereby a roommate’s rent is paid for if they are living in the individual with a disability’s owned or lease home. They
provide some ancillary services, companionship, etc. but not direct services like personal care, etc.
Although the service has been available since July, providers have been unwilling to enter into it. In part, because there are not yet regulations or a manual regarding how to implement and they are afraid of being gigged on an audit but
in larger part they don’t want the liability as they don’t control the roommate, the rent money goes directly to the individual with the disability who then pays the rent (and what if they don’t), the administrative to the providers is extremely low vs. the
time that they have to spend in set up, recruitment of roommates (if the person doesn’t have someone they want to live with ) training, and follow –up.
Do any of you have shared living in your waivers. If so, did you encounter barriers such as those noted above. Were they resolved and if so how? Is the service utilized heavily or poorly? Thanks so much!
Heidi Lawyer
Executive Director
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD)
1100 Bank Street, 7th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219
804-786-9369
800-846-4464