About the Autism WaiverThe information in this section of the website is summarized from documents found on the Social and Rehabilitation Services
(SRS) website: For more information about SRS:
Children Served by the Autism Waiver The target population for this waiver includes children with:
Children are able to enter the waiver program from the age of diagnosis until their sixth birthday. The autism waiver services are limited to three years, however, an additional year may be submitted for approval. The institutional alternative for the Waiver program is a State Mental Health Hospital. Eligibility for Services To be eligible for the Autism Waiver services a child must: Receive an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis by a licensed Medical Doctor or Ph.D. Psychologist using one of the following approved autism specific screening tools.
Please visit the Online Library for more information about these screening tools When their position on the Autism Waiver waiting list comes up, the child will be assessed for a Level of Care Determination to establish functional eligibility for Waiver services. The Vineland II Survey Interview Adaptive Behavior Scales will be the tool used to assess functional eligibility. A total score or a score on any two elements of the Adaptive areas (Communication, Daily Living Skills, Socialization, and Motor skills) of two standard deviations below the mean (score of 70) makes a child eligible for the Waiver. OR A total score or a score on any two elements of the Adaptive areas (Communication, Daily Living Skills, Socialization, and Motor skills) of one standard deviation below the mean (score of 85) prompts the assessor to review the scores on the Maladaptive Behaviors (internal, external, or total). If the Maladaptive Score on the internal, external or total is clinically significant the child is eligible for the Waiver. Selection Process for Autism Services The form must be completed in its entirety to be eligible. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Docking State Office Building If a child meets the criteria for the HCBS Autism Waiver, the child will receive a letter from the Autism Program Manager informing them they have been placed on the Proposed Waiver Recipient List and their numerical position on the list. When a position on the waiver becomes available the Program Manager will contact the family to offer them the potential position. Once a child has been referred by the Program Manager for assessment, the Functional Eligibility Specialist has 5 working days to schedule a home visit and complete the functional eligibility assessment to determine if the child meets the established criteria. If the child meets the criteria, the Functional Eligibility Specialist will assist the family in completing the Medicaid application (if they do not already have a Medicaid card) and refer to an Autism Specialist. The Autism Specialist has 5 working days to contact the family to begin the development of the Individualized Behavioral Plan/Plan of Care. Functional Eligibility Specialists The Functional Eligibility Specialist shall perform the Level of Care (functional) determination necessary to establish a child’s eligibility for the HCBS Autism Waiver program using the Vineland II Survey Interview Adaptive Behavior Scales. If a child is found to be eligible for Autism Waiver services, the Specialist will aid the child and the child’s family in completion of the Medicaid application (if necessary) and gaining access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services through the provision of information and referral and related activities. Throughout provision of all information and referral services, the Specialist will promote and ensure participant choice. The Functional Eligibility Specialist shall perform the child’s annual assessment utilizing the Vineland II Survey Interview Adaptive Behavior Scales for each year that the child receives HCBS Autism Waiver services. Functional Eligibility Specialists must have the following characteristics:
Four Major Services Provided through the Autism Waiver There are four major types of services provided in the HCBS Autism Medicaid Waiver. These services include: 1) Consultative Clinical and Therapeutic Services are intended to assist the family and paid support staff or other professionals in carrying out the Individual Behavioral Program/ Plan of Care (IBP/POC) that supports the child’s functional development and inclusion in the community. This is monitored by an Autism Specialist. Autism Specialist will assess the child and family’s strengths and needs, develop the IBP/POC, provide training and technical assistance to the family and paid support staff in order to carry out the program, and monitor the child’s progress within the program and of the family and/or other providers implementation of the program. 2) Intensive Individual Support providers assist the child with an ASD in acquiring, retaining, improving, and generalizing the self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to function successfully in the home and community. Intensive Individual support workers will provide services directly to the child through evidence-based and data driven methodologies. They will be trained and work under the Autism Specialist. 3) Respite Providers provide temporary direct care and supervision of the child. The primary purpose is to provide relief to families of a child with an ASD. This can include assistance with normal activities of daily living and support in home and community settings. 4) Parent Support and Training providers promote engagement and active participation of all family members in all aspects of the treatment process. This involves assisting the family in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and address the specific needs of the child in relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder. The services will enhance the family’s skills by providing specific problem solving skills, coping mechanisms, and help in developing strategies for the child’s maladaptive behaviors and behavior management. Training Opportunities for Service Providers More information about training for the following providers is available at the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (KCART) website. Click here for Information on the training requirements. Click on the button below to go directly to overviews of the training for each provider, training events calendar and more |
