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 five local employers in Western PA -- and our list is growing! They are:

Brushes and Beans Cafe
Fayette Parts Service, Inc. / NAPA Warehouse
Giant Eagle
McDonald's
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