Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has reopened its Shared Living Program, a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) living option for individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
Shared Living is a nationally recognized model for habilitation or residential services for individuals with IDD. In Shared Living, one to two Participants share a home with a family or single adult’s family (the Contractor). The Contractor lives with the Participant and provides supports to them in accordance with the Participant’s person-centered support plan to include social activities, companionship, teaching, daily living skills, supported employment, night supports and other needs.
Participants in the Shared Living Program have the same rights, responsibilities, and assurances as other Participants receiving HCBS-IDD services in other settings.
KDADS expects the Shared Living Program to:
- Contribute to the development of individualized, independent daily living routines through encouragement of informed choice, creativity, and enrichment of a Participant’s life.
- Assist participants in contributing to Kansas as a community.
- Support quality homes or apartments that are integrated into our communities.
- Consistently teach new skills with evidenced-based practices.
- Foster inclusion.
- Gently and respectfully address inappropriate behavior, with an emphasis on prevention by teaching alternative behaviors through the provision of enriched environments, activities, and choices.
- Ensure that all behavioral interventions comply with state statutes to ensure the least restrictive environment possible.
- Increase a Participant’s ability to live in the least restrictive environment.
- Encourage and support the development of relationships between Participants, participant peers, families, roommates, employees, friends, coworkers, roommates, and other community members.
- Motivate participants to learn new skills and avoid behaviors that are stigmatizing or harmful.
- Comply with federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Final Rule and all local, state, federal, and Program requirements.
- Promote the need for choice, exercising autonomy, and control over one’s own services.
- Address workforce shortages without compromising quality of services and supports.
The entry timeline for the program is staggered to allow development and implementation to progress efficiently:
- July 1, 2023 – All Providers currently providing Shared Living Services can continue to do so and expand into other catchment areas. Any Residential Licensed Provider in good standing can begin the process to provide Shared Living Services.
- January 1, 2024 – New applicants can begin the process to become a Residential Licensed Provider to provide Shared Living Services. New applicants can include any new or existing agency that wishes to be become licensed for Residential Services and offer the Shared Living Program.
