Interested in HOME Choice?

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services initiated a new program in October 2008 called HOME Choice. This program will enable approximately 2,200 people currently residing in long-term care facilities to move to home and community-based settings. HOME Choice is available to individuals of any age.

To be eligible for HOME Choice, participants must:

• Live in a nursing facility, intermediate care facility for mental retardation/developmental disabilities or hospital for at least six months;
• Have an institutional level of care;
• Be eligible for Medicaid for at least 30 days prior to discharge from an institutional setting;
• Relocate to a qualified residence.

Those eligible may enroll on a state waiver program (programs that provide an alternative to institutional care) or receive State Plan Medicaid services.

Also, eligible people may receive community transition services (goods and services that will assist a successful transition to the community); up to $2,000 per person; independent living skills training; a community support coach; nursing; social work or counseling; nutritional consultation; communication aids; and service animals.

Transition coordination is the unique aspect of this program. Once individuals are in long-term care facilities, it is difficult for them to move back into the community because they usually do not have homes nor access to other services and supports necessary for daily living. Transition coordination will help them plan and arrange for services and supports they will need while relocating from an institution to a community, such as finding housing, coordinating benefits, and obtaining referrals to additional supports and services.