For more about The Children’s Autism Spectrum Disorders Home and Community-Based Waiver Program, please visit the Autism Division website. Here you can find descriptions of the waiver and services, Provider notices, Provider Applications for Individuals and Agencies, Family notices, and the Family Eligibility Request Form. Familiy notices and forms can be found in 7 languages.
If you have any questions, or would like to speak with someone about the waiver, please call 508-379-0371 and speak with Brooke Walker (ext 10), David Kessler (ext 18) or Sherry Amaral (ext 17).
An Important Message to Massachusetts Families with Children under Age 9 Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder - August 2010
The Autism Division of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) started a model program, called the Children’s Autism Spectrum Disorders Home and Community Based Services Waiver Program in October 2007. This Waiver Program ends on September 30, 2010 and a new Renewal Autism Waiver Program replaces this program beginning on October 1, 2010. The Renewal Waiver Program will continue to provide one-to-one interventions to help children with autism who exhibit severe behavior, social and communication problems through a service called Expanded Habilitation, Education (Intensive In-Home Services and Supports, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, Floor Time and Communication models). This service occurs in the child’s home or other natural settings under the supervision of trained clinical staff. The waiver will also provide related support services such as community integration activities and respite.
The Renewal Waiver will continue to serve children up until their 9th birthday, with an autism spectrum disorder who meet the eligibility criteria for the Waiver Program. Shortly, the Autism Division will offer an opportunity to apply for the waiver through an open application period. The Autism Division staff anticipates that approximately 60 additional children may be eligible for the Program during the initial enrollment period that will last for approximately 12-18 months. After this period, the Department will do another open enrollment to ensure that this list stays current and allows newly diagnosed young children access to the Renewal Program.
The full announcement, which includes information on eligibility and the application process, along with the actual application, will be posted on the Department of Developmental Services website some time today, Friday, August 27th.
Click HERE to view these documents, which are available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Khmer, and Portuguese.
The Open Enrollment period, during which applications to the Renewal Autism Waiver Program will be accepted by the Autism Division, is from September 20th through October 1st, 2010. ALL APPLICATIONS SUBMITTEDMUST HAVE A POSTMARK BETWEEN THESE DATES -- DDS WILL DISCARD ANY APPLICATIONS WITH A POSTMARK OUTSIDE OF THESE DATES.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have submitted an application for the original Autism Waiver Program in the past, you must resubmit this new application, as the previous application is not valid for this new Renewal Autism Waiver Program. If you have previously applied, you will be receiving a reminder notice from the Autism Division about the need to reapply for the Renewal Waiver Program.
If you have any questions or need help in understanding theeligibility requirements or application process for the Renewal Autism Waiver Program, please contact one of the Autism Waiver Support Brokers at Community Autism Resources: Dave Kessler -- (508) 379-0371, extension 18 Sherry Amaral-Lopez -- (508) 379-0371, extension 17 Brooke Walker -- (508) 379-0371, extension 10
