How the Adult Autism Waiver Program Works in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Adult Autism Waiver (AAW) is a statewide program designed to help adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) participate in their communities in the way they want to, based on their identified needs. The AAW is part of the larger Medicaid program, a joint federal-state initiative that supports individuals with disabilities, including autism.
The Bureau of Autism Services (BAS) directly manages the program through the state. However, some agencies are the providers of the services offered by the waiver. Here’s how the waiver works.
Overview of the AAW Program
The AAW program is a Medicaid waiver designed to provide community-based services to adults with ASD in Pennsylvania. The program aims to support individuals with ASD in living independently in their communities, reducing the need for institutional care and promoting community integration.
The AAW program is administered by the BAS and is available in multiple counties across Pennsylvania. By offering a range of autism services, the AAW program helps individuals with ASD achieve their personal goals and enhance their quality of life. This Medicaid waiver is a crucial resource for those seeking to live more autonomously while staying connected to their communities.
Services Provided by the AAW Program
The AAW program offers a comprehensive range of community-based services designed to support individuals with ASD in living independently. These services include autism services such as behavioral support and therapy, which are crucial for managing the challenges associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Community support services, including supported employment and advanced supported employment, help individuals find and maintain meaningful work. Nutritional consultation and remote services ensure that individuals receive proper dietary guidance, while support broker services assist in navigating the complex service system.
Additionally, the program provides waiver services like respite care and adult day programs, as well as medical assistance to help individuals access necessary healthcare. These services collectively aim to empower individuals with ASD to achieve their goals and thrive in their communities.
Support Coordination and Service Providers
The AAW program employs a support coordination model to ensure that individuals receive the necessary services to support their daily living needs. Support coordinators work closely with individuals to develop a person-centered plan that outlines their goals and objectives. They play a pivotal role in helping individuals access the services required to achieve these goals. Service providers offer a variety of services, including autism services, community support services, and waiver services.
These providers collaborate with support coordinators to ensure that individuals receive comprehensive and tailored support. This coordinated approach ensures that individuals with ASD can effectively navigate the service system and receive the community support they need to lead fulfilling lives.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the AAW program, individuals must meet specific criteria. Firstly, they must have a diagnosis of ASD and be 21 years of age or older. Additionally, they need to meet the level of care requirements for an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/ID).
This means they require a certain level of support to manage their daily living needs. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate a need for community-based services to support their daily living activities and meet the financial eligibility requirements for Medicaid. Those who meet these criteria can apply for the AAW program, opening the door to essential autism services and community support.
Intake for Autism Spectrum Disorder
The intake process begins the day someone requests an application and ends the day the Status Letter is received, which can take about 2 weeks. The request for an application can be done by the person who would like to apply or by someone who would like to do it for them.
When a new application request is received by the BAS team, they send it off to the regional office to complete the intake process, which involves checking basic demographic information as well as some other background information about the individual.
The enrollment coordinator from the regional office will also help explain important details along the way. Once all of the information is collected, the record will be added to the Interest List and a Status Letter will be sent out.
Application
There are three steps in the application process, which include the application packet, functional eligibility assessment, and financial eligibility determination. Application requests are handled on a first-come-first-served basis and are only sent to people who are 21 years of age or older. The application process begins the day someone who is on the Interest List receives the application packet.
Enrollment
If you meet all of the eligibility criteria to be enrolled in the Pennsylvania Adult Autism Waiver, then you will be notified with an acceptance letter and will begin the enrollment process. If you have been noted as ineligible, then you will be notified with a denial letter.
The full enrollment process can take anywhere from 3 to 5 months and involves support coordinator selection, meeting with the support coordinator, and developing and approving the Individual Support Plan (ISP).
Drawbacks of the Adult Autism Waiver Program
In 2018, the Pennsylvania Autism Waiver brought only 718 participants into the state program — a disappointing figure when you consider that over 55,000 Pennsylvanians were living with autism in 2014, a number that has since grown. That's less than one percent!
ECCM's Alternative Community-Based Services
ECCM strives to help any individual in Erie or Crawford County living with autism or an intellectual disability achieve their highest potential. To do this, we created our own application called the Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Waiver.
Although the basic requirements are the same, a greater acceptance rate translates to a more substantial community impact — more individuals placed in jobs suited to their needs and abilities, and more overall community involvement. To learn more about autism support coordination, get in touch with ECCM today!