What makes a good Waiver provider?

When choosing the right provider, it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with. Regardless of which provider you choose, look for someone who has a genuine heart for serving others—someone who treats the individuals they support with the same care, compassion, and respect they would show their own family.

There are many quality providers throughout the state who truly care about the people they serve. However, it is always important to look at a person's character and the fruit they produce before making a decision. A provider's actions will often reveal far more than their words.

Whether you are a Care Coordinator, family member, guardian, or the person receiving Waiver services, it is crucial to find a provider who is willing to go the extra mile to set individuals up for success. This may include providing accommodations such as a 12-step meeting or encouraging participation in Day Treatment when it is beneficial to the individual's goals.

If a provider is willing to sacrifice billable hours because an individual truly needs to attend Day Treatment, that speaks volumes about their character. It demonstrates that the provider is focused on doing what is best for the individual rather than what is most profitable.

It is also recommended to ask the provider to show several of their homes or host homes so you can see firsthand the environment where your loved one may be living. Not every home is the right fit for every individual, and that is okay. It is important not to sacrifice an individual's preferences, comfort, or quality of life simply to fill a placement.

If you have a faith-based background, it is also beneficial to ask what accommodations the provider offers. Some providers are willing to support attendance at church, Bible studies, Celebrate Recovery, or other faith-based activities when those align with the individual's preferences and goals.

It is also important to pay careful attention to a provider's host home model. A true person-centered provider plans services around the individual's wants, needs, and goals—not the convenience of staff. Some providers lose sight of this over time, and the focus begins to shift away from the individual. For example, instead of saying, "Let's go to the park and feed the ducks because that's what you enjoy," it can become, "Let's go run my errands or get my hair done." While this may seem like a small change, it often reveals whether the day is being planned around the individual or around the staff. A quality provider should always prioritize the individual's choices, interests, and independence.

It is equally important to choose a provider with experience coordinating care and navigating complex situations. There is a saying that "it takes a village to raise a child”. A provider with wisdom understands how to coordinate with Care Coordinators, physicians, psychiatrists, therapists, behavioral health professionals, and other members of the support team.

Sometimes the greatest barrier to success is not the individual—it is that the right supports have not yet been put into place. An experienced provider will recognize when additional resources, a different psychiatrist, therapist, or other professional may better meet the individual's needs and will advocate to ensure they receive the most appropriate care.

Lastly, it is beneficial to consider the environment. There may be an environmental component that is causing the individual to escalate. People—not just those with disabilities—want independence. This may be as simple as choosing what foods they want to eat. Some group homes do not provide this level of person-centered care. An escalation may be an indicator that an individual does not feel they have a choice. The behavior exhibited may be a way of regaining a sense of control.

May you or your loved one find the organization to find success and a quality of life.