Proposed Medicaid Waiver Roommate Bill of Rights

Developed by The Arc of Indiana and Self-Advocates and Family Advocates of The Arc Network

The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) is working with families,self advocates, case managers and providers to develop a reasonable method to implement the policy that most people receiving community based residential services through the Medicaid waiver have roommates

In order to serve the most people with limited resources, and continue to move people off waiting lists, DDRS believes 90% of the people who need supervision 24 hours a day seven days a week can and should share staff, and that approximately 10% of people served must live alone due to the complexity of their needs. Their model is based upon three people sharing housing and staff.

The Arc of Indiana supports this effort if it will help more people receive services, recognizes that some people who must live alone, and if a policy is put in place and is followed that protects rights and gives people with disabilities a part in choosing the people with whom they live. To this end, The Arc of Indiana has submitted a proposed Medicaid Waiver Roommate Bill of Rights to DDRS. It is currently being reviewed by DDRS.

ISSUE
Individuals in Indiana who receive home and community-based Medicaid waiver services are being strongly encouraged to have one or two roommates. Living with one or two other people in an apartment or house can reduce costs by allowing individuals to share staff and expenses. Maximizing the dollars used for current consumers will result in funds available to serve more individuals currently on Indiana's approximately 10 year waiting list.

POSITION
Encouraging individuals to have roommates is an appropriate and responsible policy, provided guidelines and education programs are in place to protect the rights and privacy of the individuals involved.

Recommended Guidelines & Procedures

1. Self-determination and Person-centered planning must be the foundation of the process.

· The needs and desires of the person must be the most important factor and have the most weight in decision making

· Allow individuals to choose their own roommates

· Individuals already living in a home (with seniority) have the right to refuse a new roommate or stay in the home if a new roommate situation isn't working

2. Flexibility

· Allow adequate time to choose and get to know potential roommates (encourage use of the education toolkit resources and overnight visits)

· Build flexibility into funding so that evolving roommates situations can be handled with thought and care (additional funding and time will be needed when a roommate situation isn't working and a new roommate needs to be located)

· Consider allowing roommates who do not have developmental disabilities

3. Disclosure

· Develop an interest survey that helps individuals find roommates with compatible personalities and interests

· Develop a voluntary "release of information" form to provide medical and behavioral information

· Help individuals and their families understand how sharing information can lead to better roommate matches.

4. Education Toolkit

· Utilize existing tools to help this process such as "It's My Choice" book and good person-centered planning.

· Educate consumers and families about the benefits of having roommates including the positive impact on other families waiting for services.

· Develop a variety of other tools to assist individuals such as a "how to" guide to finding a roommate, an on-line compatibility test and interest inventory/questionnaire.

· Develop education tools to improve the success of roommates living together such as a "how to" guide for being a good roommate including guidelines for protecting privacy and being respectful of other's space and property.

5. Oversight

· Clearly define what group will provide oversight for this issue

· Maintain a consumer and family advisory panel to provide feedback and suggestions for policies

BILL OF RIGHTS

All individuals have the right to make choices in everyday life about where and how they live, work and play:

1. Right to privacy

2. Right to feel safe in your home

3. Right to be treated with dignity and respect

4. Right to choose who lives with you

5. Right to select where you live

6. Right to make personal choices

7. Right to disclose or refuse to disclose personal information
(unless doing so or not doing so would put a roommate in danger)