Community Services

Community Networking services provide individualized day activities that support the waiver beneficiary’s definition of a meaningful day in an integrated community setting, with persons who are not disabled. If the beneficiary requires paid supports to participate / engage once connected with the activity, Community Networking can be used to refer and link the individual. This service is provided separate and apart from the beneficiary’s primary private residence, other residential living arrangement, and/or the home of a service provider. These services do not take place in licensed facilities and are intended to offer the beneficiary the opportunity to develop meaningful community relationships with non-disabled individuals. Services are designed to promote maximum participation in community life while developing natural supports within integrated settings. Community Networking services enable the beneficiary to increase or maintain their capacity for independence and develop social roles valued by non-disabled members of the community. As the beneficiary gain skills and increase community connections, service hours may fade.

Community Networking services consist of:

a. Participation in adult education (College, Vocational Studies, and other educational opportunities);

b. Development of community-based time management skills;

c. Community-based classes for the development of hobbies or leisure/cultural interests;

d. Volunteer work;

e. Participation in formal/informal associations and/or community groups;

f. Training and education in self-determination and self-advocacy;

g. Using public transportation;

h. Inclusion in a broad range of community settings that allow the beneficiary to make community connections;

i. For children, staffing supports are covered to assist children to participate in day care/after school summer programs that serve typically developing children and are not funded by Day Supports;

j. Payment for attendance at classes and conferences is also included.

k. Payment for memberships can be covered when the beneficiary participates in an integrated class; and

l. Transportation, when the activity does not include staffing support and the destination of the transportation is an integrated community setting or a self-advocacy activity. Payments for transportation are an established per trip charge or mileage.

This service includes a combination of training, personal assistance and supports as needed by the beneficiary during activities. Transportation to/from the beneficiary’s residence and the training site(s) is covered. Payment for attendance at classes and conferences is also covered..

Supported Employment Services provide assistance with choosing, acquiring, and maintaining a job for beneficiaries ages 16 and older for whom competitive employment has not been achieved and /or has been interrupted or intermittent.

The intent of Initial Supported Employment is to assist individuals with developing skills to seek, obtain and maintain competitive employment or develop and operating a micro-enterprise. The employment positions are found based on individual preferences, strengths, and experiences. Job finding is not based on a pool of jobs that are available or set aside specifically for individuals with disabilities.

The transition to long-term supported employment should occur within one year of successful competitive employment, at this time it is expected that staff time will reduce as the individual becomes more independent in her/his job duties. Supported Employment may be needed if the individual’s job duties change or if a new job is acquired. Feedback regarding the success and integration of the individual into their position should be obtained from the employer, through employee evaluations that provide information on the level of supervision and oversight that the individual requires on a daily basis. Part of the responsibility of the employment specialist is providing education to the employer regarding ADA accommodations, in an effort to ensure the transition from ongoing Supported Employment to Long-term follow-up is successful and the individual’s needs are met.

Long-term follow-up may be used on a regular basis to meet specific and well documented needs. Long-Term follow-up related to medical / behavioral / physical support needs shall require medical behavioral records and accompanying documentation in the ISP supporting the need for individual services as the most appropriate and viable option.

Initial Supported Employment services include:

a. Pre-job training/education and development activities to prepare a person to engage in meaningful work-related activities which may include career/educational counseling, active job searching, job shadowing, assistance in the use of educational resources, training in resume preparation, job interview skills, study skills, assistance in learning skills necessary for job retention.

b. Assisting an individual to develop and operate a micro-enterprise. This assistance consists of:

1. Aiding the individual to identify potential business opportunities;

2. Assistance in the development of a business plan, including potential sources of business financing and other assistance; and

3. Identification of the supports that are necessary in order for the individual to operate the business.

c. Coaching and employment support activities that enable an individual to complete initial job training or develop skills necessary to maintain employment is completed through activities such as: assistance in job tasks, work adjustment training and counseling.

d. Providing technical support to potential employers regarding Federal ADA accommodations and requirements.

The service includes transportation from the individual’s residence and to and from the job site. The provider agency’s payment for transportation from the individual’s residence and the individual’s job site is authorized service time.

Long term follow-up supports include:

a. Coaching and employment support activities that enable an individual to maintain employment is completed through at least monthly face-to-face activities such as monitoring, supervision, maintaining skills necessary for job tasks, work adjustment training and counseling;

b. Ongoing assistance, counseling and guidance for an individual who operates a microenterprise once the business has been launched;

c. Employer consultation with the objective of identifying work related needs of the individual and proactively engaging in supportive activities to address the problem or need.

d. Providing ongoing technical support to potential employers regarding Federal ADA accommodations and requirements.

e. Transportation when the individual’s job does not include staffing support. Payments for transportation are established as a per trip charge or mileage.

Documentation will be maintained in the file of each provider agency specifying that this service is not otherwise available under a program funded under section 110 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) for this participant.”

Respite services provide periodic or scheduled support and relief to the primary caregiver(s) from the responsibility and stress of caring for the individual. NC Innovations respite may also be used to provide temporary relief to individuals who reside in Licensed and Unlicensed AFLs, but it may not be billed on the same day as Residential Supports.

This service enables the primary caregiver to meet or participate in planned or emergency events, and to have planned time for him/her and/or family members. This service also enables the individual to receive periodic support and relief from the primary caregiver(s) at his/her choice. Respite may be utilized during school hours for sickness or injury.

Respite may include in and out-of-home services, inclusive of overnight, weekend care, or emergency care (family emergency based, not to include out of home crisis). The primary caregiver(s) is the person principally responsible for the care and supervision of the beneficiary and must maintain his/her primary residence at the same address as the beneficiary.

Two of the most common community services we provide are Community Networking (CN) and Supported Employment (SE). CN is a service devoted to integrating members into the community, establishing relationships with other non-disabled peers, and developing community resources. SE is a service devoted to helping a member find and maintain employment in a setting of their choosing.

Community Networking can be done just about anywhere. The individual can interact and be included with non-disabled peers. Some examples would be: volunteering; shopping; community events/groups; sports teams.