Intellectual Disability / Autism (ID/A) Waiver Services

What do you mean by “ID/A Waiver Services?”

In Pennsylvania, there are four waivers offered by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) for people with autism and/or an intellectual disability or developmental disability: the Adult Autism Waiver, the Consolidated Waiver, the Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waiver, and the Community Living Waiver. These waivers are designed to help individuals live more independently in their homes and their communities. We are able to provide a variety of person-centered services promoting independence.

What waiver services do you offer?

THE SERVICE LINES OF CONSOLIDATED, PERSON/FAMILY DIRECTED SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY LIVING WAIVERS ARE:

• Behavior Specialist -- adults only
• Community Participation and Supports (CPS) -- adults only; connects an individual’s talents and interests with community opportunities through skill building supports! Currently community-based, but looking into a small center option
• Supported Employment – adults only
• Job Finding
• Job Support
• Career Assessment
• Transportation – adults only; trip to/from a participant’s home, a waiver service, activity in the community or resource including to/from a competitive employment opportunity
• Small Group Employment – adults only; support transition to competitive integrated employment (for example, mobile workforce) 
• Speech and Language Therapy -- adults only
• In Home and Community Support (IHCS): all ages; help to increase skills in homes and communities
• Family/Caregiver Training and Support -- all ages; provide counseling or training with unpaid family members or caregivers to strengthen relationships, to support with developing expertise to help the individual increase skills, and to successfully return home and/or live in his/her own home

THE SERVICE LINES OF THE ADULT AUTISM WAIVER ARE:

• Speech and Language Therapy -- adults only
• Specialized Skill Development
• Behavioral Specialist Services (BSS) -- age 21 and older; prior would be through IBHS
• Systematic Skill Building (SSB) -- age 21 and older; provides support to acquire independence skills and to become a more integral part of their community
• Community Support -- age 21 and older; assist individuals in acquiring, retaining, and improving communication, socialization, self-direction, self-help, and other adaptive skills
• Career Planning – adults only; develop a plan for competitive integrated employment at or above minimum wage
• Supported Employment – adults only; can be direct or indirect for the benefit of the individual such as working with an employer to help resolve an issue  
• Small Group Employment -- adults, support transition to competitive integrated employment (for example, mobile workforce) 
• Transportation -- adults, by trip to/from a participant’s home, a waiver service, activity in the community or resource including to/from a competitive employment opportunity

Speaking of job support options, what employers do you currently work with?


Why, that's a great question. We are working with several local employers (some offer volunteer opportunities, too!) in Western PA, and our list is growing! They are:

Aramark
Beatty Pointe Village
Beverly's Birthdays 
Brushes and Beans Cafe
Dick's Diner
Fayette Parts Service, Inc. / NAPA Warehouse / NAPA Genuine Paint Store
GetGo
Giant Eagle
Hempfield Parks and Recreation
Idlewild Park
McDonald's
Moe's Southwest Grill
Norwin School District
Penn Trafford School District
Red Robin
Sendell Motors
Westmoreland County Food Bank
William Penn Care Center

How do I know if my loved one is eligible for waiver services?

For someone to be eligible for any of these waiver services, they must have:

• IQ of 70 or below, or a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Medical evaluation (ex. MA51) recommending ICF/ID or ICF/ORC (Other Related Conditions)
• Standardized assessment of adaptive functioning showing deficits in three or more areas
• Testing / clinical judgement records or Standard Diagnostic Tool showing diagnosis of Intellectual Disability or Autism prior to age 22
• There is no age limit for individuals with an intellectual disability or autism. Individuals with a developmental disability with a high probability of resulting in an intellectual disability or autism are eligible from age 0 through 8.

How do I get started?

Referrals for waiver services should come from a Supports Coordinator. To find a Supports Coordinator in your area if you do not already have one, click here. 

If you are a family making an inquiry or referral to ATS for our ID/A Services, click here.

If you are a Westmoreland County Supports Coordinator making a referral, click here.

Our Director of ID/A Services is Angel Schaer. She can be reached at aschaer@achievingtrueself.com, or 1-866-287-2036 x1137.

Angel Schaer, BS
Director of Intellectual Disabilities / Autism Services