Our FAQs

Our nursing staff is on call, not on site after hours. However, they can be onsite in a relatively short timeframe, whenever necessary to assess a situation in person. In addition, in regions where our day programs are adjacent to our local office, we likely have a nurse within walking distance during the day on weekdays. At other times, our nurses communicate effectively via telephone with our caregiver staff to give and receive necessary medical information, and make decision about care. Of course, we will activate emergency medical treatment without delay whenever the situation requires it…and let the nurse know what’s happening after the call to 911; our staff are authorized and encouraged never to wait to call 911 when necessary, and certainly do not require the authorization of a nurse or administrator to activate any emergency services.

Absolutely, we strive to ensure that everyone can participate in whatever chosen activity he or she desires, as long as such activities are within a reasonable geographic proximity to the home. We have individuals who attend bowling activities, martial arts classes, swimming lessons, bible studies, volunteer activities, and even work in real jobs during unique times. In each of the regions in which we operate, we have multiple homes and multiple staff…which affords us the opportunity to reassign staff and individuals for short periods in order to accommodate everyone’s interests.

Our nursing staff is on call, not on site after hours. However, they can be onsite in a relatively short timeframe, whenever necessary to assess a situation in person. In addition, in regions where our day programs are adjacent to our local office, we likely have a nurse within walking distance during the day on weekdays. At other times, our nurses communicate effectively via telephone with our caregiver staff to give and receive necessary medical information, and make decision about care. Of course, we will activate emergency medical treatment without delay whenever the situation requires it…and let the nurse know what’s happening after the call to 911; our staff are authorized and encouraged never to wait to call 911 when necessary, and certainly do not require the authorization of a nurse or administrator to activate any emergency services.

Absolutely. All family vacations are encouraged and cherished by loved ones.

You have a choice to allow us to be representative payee or for you to be representative payee. If you remain representative payee, you will be responsible for all money and obligations required by Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, and other government entities

The HCS program combined with the individual’s social security income covers all of the basic needs of an individual. Typically, the only expenses incurred by a family member might include clothing, occasional gifts, etc.

Absolutely. We can provide written evidence, or we can direct anyone to the State’s websites that contain all such reports online, public record for anyone to view.

None, unless there is a court order with a specific (e.g., a particular family member, etc.) restriction.

We encourage individuals and family members to choose all of the services that are available to them, and we do not push anyone to attend a day program that is not their first choice. We strive to provide interesting and rewarding services in all of the day programs we operate, but we also fully appreciate that there are some compelling alternatives in each of the regions in which we operate…especially for individuals that have unique interests that can be accommodated by unique programs (e.g., sports oriented or computer oriented, etc.). We can facilitate the choice of a day program by assisting a family member in scheduling visits to a variety of day programs, including our own as well as others in the area. Because we typically know the directors of other day programs, we frequently can expedite the process of a visit.

You have a choice to allow us to be representative payee or for you to be representative payee. If you remain representative payee, you will be responsible for all money and obligations required by Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, and other government entities

The HCS program combined with the individual’s social security income covers all of the basic needs of an individual. Typically, the only expenses incurred by a family member might include clothing, occasional gifts, etc.

Yes. There are several other waiver programs, including Texas Home Living and CLASS (Community Living and Assistive Services) that are typically easier to access more quickly, but do not typically offer as full and intensive array of services as ICF and HCS.

Yes, with some restrictions. Relatives can definitely be the caregiver staff for a loved one in the natural home setting of that loved one, as long as that staff does not reside at the same location as the individual (as determined by documentary evidence, such as a driver’s license of the staff showing a different address than that of the individual).

Absolutely. We can provide written evidence, or we can direct anyone to the State’s websites that contain all such reports online, public record for anyone to view.

Yes. There are several other waiver programs, including Texas Home Living and CLASS (Community Living and Assistive Services) that are typically easier to access more quickly, but do not typically offer as full and intensive array of services as ICF and HCS.

Our Host providers are responsible for providing all transportation needs; our agency does not assist with the transportation needs of the individual served by the Host provider. We know this might be a deal breaker for some Host providers who are expecting transportation assistance form our agency.

Our Host providers are responsible for taking loved ones to medical appointments. We are usually able to help in the event of an emergency where the Host provider has a conflict. But that help would be the exception, not the norm.

Yes. An individual and the Host provider can choose the best day program available. If the costs of the day program exceed the daily HCS reimbursement rate, the Host provider can pay the difference through the Host agreement with us, the provider agency. Also, the Host provider is responsible for any late fees charged by the Day Program due to late pick up.

Host providers should be ready for a visitor at any time. The State will likely show up unannounced at least once a year. We will come more often in order to provide training and support. However, we will always come announced unless we suspect a significant problem that can only be determined during an unannounced visit. Host providers are expected to embrace such visitation, although we promise it will not be intrusive or excessive.

Our Host providers are paid monthly, upon submission of all of the previous month’s required documentation. Unfortunately, we do not offer direct deposit to Host providers or any other contractors.

Host providers should be ready for a visitor at any time. The State will likely show up unannounced at least once a year. We will come more often in order to provide training and support. However, we will always come announced unless we suspect a significant problem that can only be verified during an unannounced visit. We have mostly been very fortunate in serving individuals in the Host environment who have very dedicated fine Host providers. But as the certified provider, we are ultimately responsible for the care of all of the individuals we service…even on the Host environment…and we take that responsibility very seriously.

Monthly, we receive an invoice for services provided the previous month attached to weekly service log progress reports. These reports are fairly simply with codes numbers for services provided, and checkboxes that have to be initialed. In addition, we require a monthly fire drill, and some simple training data (also coded with initials. There may be some additional non-routine documentation if there is a need for an incident report or a behavior note. Finally, we request a copy of any medical consultations forms completed by any physician that the individual may have seen the previous month.

We provide Host providers with all of the training necessary to be excellent caregivers, as well as follow all of the related rules and regulations. Host training focuses on daily care, related documentation, medication storage and management, communication methods with our agency’s professional and management staff, prevention of abuse/neglect/exploitation, fire safety, and several other key topics that will help a Host provider have the knowledge necessary to do an outstanding job.

Absolutely. We can provide written evidence, or we can direct anyone to the State’s websites that contain all such reports online, public record for anyone to view.

Yes. There are several other waiver programs, including Texas Home Living and CLASS (Community Living and Assistive Services) that are typically easier to access more quickly, but do not typically offer as full and intensive array of services as ICF and HCS.

We use a menu system designed by a licensed dietician that includes only healthy, well balanced meals that are relatively simple to prepare. We allow individuals who don’t care for specific menu items to request appropriate substitutions (i.e., substitute a protein for a protein, a starch for a starch, and/or a green for a green). We provide significant oversight in the grocery shopping experience to ensure that the necessary items are purchased to facilitate the developed menus, and to ensure that shoppers minimize unhealthy snacks and desserts, etc. For those on special diets, we provide extensive training to staff to ensure that menu items are modified, as necessary to meet specialized dietary needs (e.g., no added salt, substituting salty food items for less salty alternatives, etc.). We work with individuals on specialized diets to find out what they do like to eat within the limitations for a specific dietary restriction to avoid overall dissatisfaction and promote choice, even in the face of restriction.

Our nursing staff is on call, not on site after hours. However, they can be onsite in a relatively short timeframe, whenever necessary to assess a situation in person. In addition, in regions where our day programs are adjacent to our local office, we likely have a nurse within walking distance during the day on weekdays. At other times, our nurses communicate effectively via telephone with our caregiver staff to give and receive necessary medical information, and make decision about care. Of course, we will activate emergency medical treatment without delay whenever the situation requires it…and let the nurse know what’s happening after the call to 911; our staff are authorized and encouraged never to wait to call 911 when necessary, and certainly do not require the authorization of a nurse or administrator to activate any emergency services.

Minor home modifications includes common items like bathroom renovations for wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, door widening, etc. Is limited to $7,500 for a lifetime.

The HCS program combined with the individual’s social security income covers all of the basic needs of an individual. Typically, the only expenses incurred by a family member might include clothing, occasional gifts, etc.

Absolutely, we strive to ensure that everyone can participate in whatever chosen activity he or she desires, as long as such activities are within a reasonable geographic proximity to the home. We have individuals who attend bowling activities, martial arts classes, swimming lessons, bible studies, volunteer activities, and even work in real jobs during unique times. In each of the regions in which we operate, we have multiple homes and multiple staff…which affords us the opportunity to reassign staff and individuals for short periods in order to accommodate everyone’s interests.

None, unless there is a court order with a specific (e.g., a particular family member, etc.) restriction.

Yes, with some restrictions. Relatives can definitely be the caregiver staff for a loved one in the natural home setting of that loved one, as long as that staff does not reside at the same location as the individual (as determined by documentary evidence, such as a driver’s license of the staff showing a different address than that of the individual).

Absolutely. All family vacations are encouraged and cherished by loved ones.

The HCS program combined with the individual’s social security income covers all of the basic needs of an individual. Typically, the only expenses incurred by a family member might include clothing, occasional gifts, etc.

We use a menu system designed by a licensed dietician that includes only healthy, well balanced meals that are relatively simple to prepare. We allow individuals who don’t care for specific menu items to request appropriate substitutions (i.e., substitute a protein for a protein, a starch for a starch, and/or a green for a green). We provide significant oversight in the grocery shopping experience to ensure that the necessary items are purchased to facilitate the developed menus, and to ensure that shoppers minimize unhealthy snacks and desserts, etc. For those on special diets, we provide extensive training to staff to ensure that menu items are modified, as necessary to meet specialized dietary needs (e.g., no added salt, substituting salty food items for less salty alternatives, etc.). We work with individuals on specialized diets to find out what they do like to eat within the limitations for a specific dietary restriction to avoid overall dissatisfaction and promote choice, even in the face of restriction.

Minor home modifications includes common items like bathroom renovations for wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, door widening, etc. Is limited to $7,500 for a lifetime.

Yes. There are several other waiver programs, including Texas Home Living and CLASS (Community Living and Assistive Services) that are typically easier to access more quickly, but do not typically offer as full and intensive array of services as ICF and HCS.

Yes, with some restrictions. Relatives can definitely be the caregiver staff for a loved one in the natural home setting of that loved one, as long as that staff does not reside at the same location as the individual (as determined by documentary evidence, such as a driver’s license of the staff showing a different address than that of the individual).

We encourage individuals and family members to choose all of the services that are available to them, and we do not push anyone to attend a day program that is not their first choice. We strive to provide interesting and rewarding services in all of the day programs we operate, but we also fully appreciate that there are some compelling alternatives in each of the regions in which we operate…especially for individuals that have unique interests that can be accommodated by unique programs (e.g., sports oriented or computer oriented, etc.). We can facilitate the choice of a day program by assisting a family member in scheduling visits to a variety of day programs, including our own as well as others in the area. Because we typically know the directors of other day programs, we frequently can expedite the process of a visit.