SATURDAY LEISURE SUPPORT

FOR WAIVER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

Dear family members and Community Residential Facility (CRF) Staff:

The intent and purpose of Medicaid Waiver Services are to more accurately respond to the needs of individuals in a way that is personal, meaningful, and flexible. Among the many options available under the Waiver, Saturday Leisure Support is perhaps the most innovative, since it considers the needs of individuals, their families or guardians, CRF staff and the agency providing the service.

● Benefit to the individual:

● Make-up days for those authorized but missed each week.

● Increased access to Community that more accurately fits the interests of an individual.

● A chance to enjoy a “weekend” event with those who have the same interest rather than going with the residents in their home to the same place or going alone with a staff person from a family residence.

● Given the medically fragile population served at UCP, the nursing and support staff available on Saturdays would insure backup in the event of a health issue or emergency.

● Benefit to the families:

● Predictable respite services on a Saturday when many errands that could only get done on a weekend are able to be done easier.

● To have the peace of mind that the staff know the needs of their son or daughter – including medication that has to be taken mid-day.

● To be able to schedule five hours plus transportation time to attend activities with other family members

●Benefit to the staff:

● Allow for greater flex-time and additional hours, if not already working 40hr/wk.

● The staff would be providing services to individuals that they know well.

● Benefit to the Agency:

● Facility is equipped to provide services with restrooms, offices, telephones, and computers.

● Revenue predictability for budgeting purpose

● Available support staff on duty in the event of an emergency. Given the UCP population, this is a major relief.

● Many more Volunteers would be available. Since given their work week, Volunteers could only offer a Saturday to give back to their Community.

Essentially Saturday Leisure Support will replace Companion Support which some individuals have already utilized since April of the year. The new format will require families, guardians or CRF staff to request an additional day of Habilitation Service by contacting their MRDDA Case Manager who can amend the prior-authorization for UCP to provide the additional support.