Common Questions When Seeking IDD Services for a Loved One
When school-based services end when a child with disabilities turns 22, parents have described it as feeling like “falling off a cliff.” Rather than working with a single entity, they encounter a complex system of regulations, service providers, state agencies, waiting lists, and an overall lack of funding.
When parents reach out to Mosaic for help, they may feel overwhelmed. To help you navigate this transition, we’ve broken down the five most common areas families ask about—and how Mosaic can help.
1. What Services Are Available?
Mosaic’s services vary by location, but our most popular 24/7 residential option is Mosaic at Home® (Shared Living/Host Homes), which accounts for over 75% of our residential services. We also offer behavioral and nursing support, and in some states, group homes and hourly support.
It is important to note that Mosaic does not determine what services your child qualifies for. That is decided by your state’s Medicaid waiver application process, which is always your first step.
2. Can You Support Complex Needs?
Yes. Before anyone enters our services, we ensure they can be supported safely and well. Mosaic takes a “whole-person” approach, partnering with external specialists and leveraging our internal network of more than 40 nurses and a team of certified behavioral specialists to provide specialized care.
The individual’s needs and goals are documented, and the staff who support them receive specialized training if the person has complex needs.
3. How Do You Ensure Compatibility?
Mosaic’s whole-person approach recognizes that the environment where one lives and social relationships influence overall health and does not simply place a person where there is availability. For Mosaic at Home, the commitment to personalized services guarantees an extensive matching process that looks at
- The setting: Home Providers live in cities and in rural areas.
- The household: Home Providers may have small children, be empty nesters or retirees, married or single.
- Lifestyle: Home Providers may be on the go a lot or be homebodies; they may be sports fans or hobbyists, etc.
When there is a prospective match, visits may be arranged that include dinner, meeting the others in the home, spending a day together, and possibly an overnight visit. Both the Home Provider and the person supported must agree it’s a good fit before moving forward.
4. How Does Funding Work?
Nearly all of Mosaic’s services are paid through Medicaid or other government funding sources. Home and community-based services, such as those provided by Mosaic, are available only through a Medicaid waiver or private pay.
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program. Nearly all states have waiting lists for home and community-based services, and some may be years long. The importance of applying for a Medicaid waiver cannot be overstated.
5. What Is the Parents’ Role?
Regardless of their child’s age, parents often ask what their decision-making authority will be regarding their child. Your level of decision-making authority depends on your legal guardianship status. Mosaic uses a team approach where the individual drives their own support. If you are your loved one’s legal guardian, you will continue to make the decisions noted in the guardianship. If your loved one does not have a guardian, they choose how involved they want family members to be.
Unsure what steps to take next? Mosaic can help you navigate the next steps. Find a location near you to see what services are available in your local community.