What is an intellectual and/or developmental disability?

An intellectual disability is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties in a variety of everyday social and practical skills. A developmental disability is attributed to a cognitive or physical impairment that results in limitations in areas such as self-care, language, and mobility. The term IDD covers a broad range of disorders and syndromes, many of which are misunderstood by the general public.

What help is available?

DMH is responsible for the development and implementation of services to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This public service delivery system is comprised of state operated comprehensive IDD programs, a state operated program for youth who require specialized treatment, regional community mental health/IDD centers and other non-profit community agencies/organizations that provide community services. Community Services are available throughout the state for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Community Services include: community support services, diagnostic and evaluation services; early intervention; work activity; employment services; Home and Community-Based (HCBS) ID/DD Waiver services which may include home and community supports, respite care (in-home nursing, in-home companion, community and ICF/MR), day services – adult (supported and supervised), prevocational services, supported employment, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech /language/hearing therapy, behavior support/intervention and providing specialized medical supplies.

For more information call DMH’s Toll-Free Helpline at 1-877-210-8513.

The IDD Community Support Program (1915i) and the ID/DD Waiver Program offer community support for Mississippians living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Program Information  ID/DD Waiver Supervised Living

 

What is the IDD Community Support Program (1915i)?

The IDD Community Support Program (1915i) offers support and services for people with IDD and autism spectrum disorders. The first step to determine eligibility is to schedule an evaluation at your local regional IDD program. If you are determined eligible, you will be assigned a targeted case manager to assist you with access to available services. The IDD Community Support Program offers four services.

Day Services Adult

This service assists individuals in gaining the greatest level of independence while supporting them in meaningful activities of their choice throughout the day.

Pre-vocational Services

This service teaches pre-employment skills and assists in exploring job opportunities in the community.

Supported Employment

Supported employment provides a job coach to assist in finding a job and training a person to work independently.

Supported Living

Supported living provides limited support of up to four hours per day for persons who can live independently in their own home or apartment. The support helps provide access to the community, pay bills, shop for groceries, access medical care, and other personal assistance as needed.

What is the Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities Waiver (ID/DD Waiver)?

Mississippi’s ID/DD Waiver provides individualized supports and services to assist people in living successfully at home and in the community and are an alternative to care in institutional settings. These Medicaid funded supports and services are available as long as the cost of supporting individuals in the home or community does not exceed the cost of caring for individuals in institutional settings. The ID/DD Waiver includes an array of services aimed at assisting people to live as independently as possible in their home and community.  Services include:  Supported Employment, Home and Community Supports, Supervised Residential Habilitation, Day Services-Adult, In-Home Nursing Respite, Community Respite, ICF/MR Respite, Prevocational Services, Specialized Medical Supplies, Behavior Support/Intervention Services, and Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy.

To access ID/DD Waiver services, contact the appropriate ID/DD Regional Centers to arrange for an evaluation.  When a person is determined to meet the same level of care criteria as someone applying for admission to an institution, he/she has the option to have his/her name placed on the ID/DD Waiver Planning List.  Before the individual can be enrolled from the Planning List, he/she must be determined eligible for Medicaid. If a person meets the requirements for enrollment in the ID/DD Waiver, his/her Support Coordinator from the ID/DD Regional Center will assist in developing a Plan of Care for the individual.  The Plan of Care will outline the type and amount of ID/DD Waiver services a person is requesting.  The individual must also indicate his/her choice of a provider for each service. The request must be approved by the Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (BIDD).  The individual will be notified of the type and amount of service BIDD approves on the Plan of Care.  At that point, the Support Coordinator will notify the chosen agency that the person has been approved to receive services and services will begin.

Services available through the ID/DD Waiver include:

Support Coordination

Support Coordination services coordinate and monitor all services an individual on the ID/DD Waiver receives, regardless of funding source, to ensure services are adequate, appropriate, meet the individual’s needs, and ensure the individual’s health and welfare needs are met. Support Coordinators are also responsible for ensuring an annual re-evaluation of each individual’s level of care is performed in order to ensure ongoing eligibility for the program.

Home and Community Supports

This service is generally provided a few hours per day to assist an eligible individual with activities such as bathing, meal preparation, eating, dressing, shopping, leisure activities, community integration, and light housekeeping.

Respite

The primary purpose of this service is to provide the primary care giver(s) periodic breaks from the constant demands of caring for their family member who has a disability. Respite can be provided in the home or in a certified community setting. In-home respite is provided by a nurse (if the individual requires a nurse in the absence of the caregiver). Activities which typically take place include assisting the individual with personal hygiene, meal preparation, and leisure activities. Respite care is also offered in ICF/MR settings on a limited basis, based on the number of available beds.

Day Services-Adult (DSA)

These services are designed to assist and support individuals in retaining and/or improving skills which afford them the greatest level of independence possible. Programs are required to provide individuals with numerous and varied opportunities to participate in activities in the community. Transportation is provided.

Prevocational Services

These services are designed to promote vocational skill development with the eventual outcome being employment in a workplace in the community, with or without support. Activities generally are not primarily directed at teaching job specific skills, but at broader skills which can be used in a variety of work settings (examples: increasing attention span, improving gross and fine motor skills, etc.). Services can be center based or community based. Transportation is provided.

Supervised Residential Habilitation

Supervised community living means there is a staff person on site, 24 hours per day, seven days per week who can respond to calls for assistance in five minutes or less. The sites in which Supervised Living is available vary across the state. Generally no more than six individuals live together in a home. Transportation to and from day programs and community activities is provided, as well as support with shopping for food and personal items and assistance with individual finances.

Supported Employment

This service supports people in finding and keeping a job in the community. It includes activities such as job exploration, assistance in applying for jobs, assistance on the job to ensure the individual has the support necessary to be successful, assistance in building natural supports in the work place, and assistance in learning the routines and requirements of a particular job/workplace. Supported employment can be phased out as the individual learns the job and performs it successfully in an independent manner or supported employment can continue indefinitely, depending on the individual and his/her particular level of support needs.

Behavior Support/Intervention

This service is designed for individuals who exhibit behavior problems that cause them to not benefit from other services being provided. The provider works directly with the individual and also trains staff and family members to assist them in implementing specific behavior support/intervention programs.

Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech/Language Therapy

These services differ from the therapies provided through the regular Medicaid State Plan in that the purpose is maintenance of skill, range of motion, etc. rather than rehabilitation. Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies – The ID/DD Waiver pays for disposable briefs, under pads and catheters for people over the age of 21.