Many people dream of returning to life in their community during a long-term stay at a hospital or nursing home, but many do not know how to make that dream a reality.
A Medicaid program called HOME Choice is the answer for many individuals who want to get back into the community. Established in 2008 as a demonstrative program in response to a federal grant entitled Money Follows the Person, HOME Choice is a program which helps Ohioans transition from a long-term care facility such as those mentioned above into the home and community-based setting of their choice.
Medicaid has partnered with National Churches Residents (NCR), the nonprofit owner of 340 housing developments in 27 states and Puerto Rico, according to the profile of the organization on LinkedIn, to ensure transitional housing options for HOME Choice participants. As a third-party contractor that helps to facilitate HOME Choice, ACIL is proud to help consumers find and enjoy more independence in the communities of their choice.
Quadrupling the original goal of transitioning 2,000 Ohioans twice over, the program has become a national leader in moving people back home, having helped over 16,000 Ohioans to enjoy new-found independence since it began, according to the HOME Choice page on www.medicaid.ohio.gov.
The mission of ACIL is to ensure that people with disabilities have full and complete access to the community in which they reside, so, HOME Choice is a natural fit for our center. As much as Medicaid, NCR, and ACIL would love to help every person living in a long-term care facility in Ohio transition into the community, people must meet certain criteria to qualify the HOME Choice Program which are listed on the aforementioned website. People must be at least 18 years old, enrolled in Medicaid, and have been a resident of a long-term care facility for at least 60 consecutive days. People must also agree to participate in an assessment and have need for the program, have income to sustain community living, and have care needs that can adequately met in a community setting.
The website further explains that the HOME Choice Program specifically helps people in two ways. Firstly, HOME Choice participants receive transition coordination services to help them return to the community. Transition coordinators specifically assist participants in identifying challenges and locating the resources needed for a successful move from the facility to a residence in the community. For example, a transition coordinator may help a participant find accessible housing or connect to a home health agency that may be able to help fulfill their care needs. At times, ACIL staff will use the list of local housing we complied here at the center to help participant find a residence that fits their needs and budget. Secondly, HOME Choice participants also receive Community Transition Services, which pays for startup living expenses associated with transitioning from institutional living to the community such as deposits or the cost of furniture needed to establish a household. Community Transition Services will only cover startup costs meaning it cannot be used to cover any recurring monthly expenses.
ACIL staff realizes that applying for and participating in the HOME Choice program can be overwhelming for consumers. Rest assured, our HOME Choice transition staff help consumers and their families or guardians through every step of the process. Consumers should be aware that HOME Choice participants can be in the program for up to six months before making a move to transition into a home of their choice in the community and can stay in the program for one month after moving into their home to help ensure their transition is successful.
Questions about HOME Choice? Call 1-888-221-1560, email [email protected] or search https://medicaid.ohio.gov/homechoice. Potential HOME Choice participants and/or families can also contact NCR at 1-800-388-2151 or http://www.nationalchurchresidences.org/contact.
ACIL looks forward to helping many consumers obtain and enjoy independence in the community of their choice by serving as a third-party contactor and facilitator of the HOME Choice program for years to come.
