Intellectual Disabilities

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Intellectual Disabilities/Autism

Overview

The Centre County Intellectual Disabilities program supports individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism residing in Centre County. Services are person centered, intended to meet the specific needs of each person. All of our programs and services are designed to support individuals in their own home and/or in their community. Funding options, natural supports and other community resources are explored and developed in order to assist individuals and their families achieve an Everyday Life.

How to Access Services

To find out if you or your family member can receive services, we need to determine if the person meets the eligibility requirements established by Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). To start the process, contact our office at (814) 355-6786 and ask for the ID Program Specialist. They will arrange to meet with you and your family member to complete an intake. They will assist you in determining eligibility for ID or Autism services. It is important to note that it is your responsibility to provide the necessary documentation for eligibility determination. The ID Program Specialist can assist you by completing releases to request information from other entities in order to confirm eligibility determination.

You can also visit the Department of Welfare (DPW) website and register online. Go to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Application for Social Services (COMPASS) at Compass Website

Once eligibility is determined, a Supports Coordinator is assigned who will assist with the creation an individual support plan (ISP), locate services and monitor progress throughout the time working with the Centre County Intellectual Disabilities program.

Program Eligibility

The Centre County Intellectual Disabilities program serves children and adults who have an eligible intellectual disability, developmental disability or Autism diagnosis and reside in Centre County.

An intellectual disability is when intellectual functioning (learning, problem solving and reasoning) and adaptive behavior (issues with everyday skills) are significantly limited. The intellectual disability occurs before the age of 22 and is a lifelong condition.

For Autism there needs to be an Autism diagnosis and testing showing that adaptive behavior (difficulties with everyday skills) is significantly limited. The disability occurs before the age of 22 and is a lifelong condition. An individual with Autism must be financially eligible for Medicaid services.

Funding

The Centre County Intellectual Disabilities/Autism program receives funding from county, state and federal sources. The majority of funding comes from the federal Medicaid Program/Medical Assistance. Access to any funding is based on eligibility, need for service, and the availability of funds. The Intellectual Disabilities program is the payer of last resort, meaning that all other available funding options must be explored and used before available Intellectual Disabilities resources are used.

Human Services Block Grant (HSBG) funds are a combination of state and county match monies and can be used for individuals with intellectual disabilities who are not enrolled in one of ODP’s Waiver programs. Services are provided by local agencies that are contracted with Centre County. Funding is based on need and availability.

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver funds are a combination of federal and state monies that can be used for individuals with intellectual disabilities and Autism living in Pennsylvania. Each county manages an allocated number of waiver opportunities to meet the needs of eligible individuals residing in that county. There are three (3) types of waiver that are available in Pennsylvania. Services are provided by qualified and willing agencies that have a Medicaid Agreement with ODP.

Centre County Intellectual Disabilities program manages 3 Medicaid Waiver programs, with the oversight of ODP.

Person/Family Directed Support Waiver (P/FDS): The P/FDS Waiver has a maximum annual budget of $33,000 and cannot be used for residential supports. If additional services are needed for employment supports, an additional $15,000 is available. Most individuals who access this funding live either independently or with natural supports and use the funding for day supports, employment support, transportation services, community participation and assistance with independent living skills.

Community Living Waiver: The Community Living Waiver went into effect January 1, 2018 and has a maximum annual budget of $70,000. This Waiver can be used for specific residential supports and for a variety of other approved services such as employment support, day supports, transportation, community participation and assistance with independent living.
Consolidated Wavier: The Consolidated Waiver funding does not have an annual maximum budget. The funding is able to be used for residential services such as Community Homes and Lifesharing for individuals who need supports 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Consolidated Waiver funding can also be used for a variety of other services such as employment support, day support, transportation services, community participation and assistance with independent living skills.

For funding through the 3 Medicaid Waivers individuals must be financially eligible for Medicaid Services in Pennsylvania.

Resources

Office of Developmental Programs

Bureau of Autism Services

MyODP

COMPASS