Supports transition from care facility to community living
Contact Meghan Maldonado for TBI RRDC information in the lower Hudson Valley (Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster) at mmaldonado@wilc.org or call 845-228-7457 ext. 1130 (voice), 914-259-8036 (VP).
For the New York City TBI Waiver Program call 718-816-3555 for Bronx and Staten Island, call 914-685-5045 for Manhattan and Queens or call 914-685-5064 for Brooklyn.
This program assists Medicaid-eligible people with Traumatic Brain Injury to leave nursing homes and long term care facilities and move into the community or to obtain services to avoid nursing home placement. We can help people through the eligibility process, to select a service coordination agency and to access other benefit programs and services in the community. WILC is the Hudson Valley Region Center providing services for the residents of Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Putnam, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties.
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program provides information and referral and services to individuals with
traumatic brain injury and their families. It assists with relocating people with TBI who reside in out-of-state facilities to community-based residential and day programs. It can also help individuals currently residing in nursing homes, psychiatric facilities or in their family’s homes to be re-situated into more appropriate community settings, where they can live more independent lives.
This program can identify and help to address the gaps that exist in the continuum of care for TBI, from coma to re-entry into the community.
What is a Waiver?
The Federal Government “waives” certain Medicaid rules enabling New York to select a portion of the population on Medicaid to receive specialized services not available to all Medicaid recipients.
Eligibility:
- Must be a Medicaid recipient
- Diagnosed with TBI or other type of brain injury, such as stroke, anoxia, etc.
- Must be 18-64 years old with the injury occurring on or after 22nd birthday (for individuals injured before age 18, contact OPWDD at (518) 473-1890, individuals 18-22 years old can be served by DOH when OPWDD does not have available funds)
- Must be eligible for a nursing facility level of care (determined by UAS)
- Must choose to live in the community rather than in a nursing facility
- Can identify a safe living arrangement that will meet their needs
- Can be supported safely within the community with the funds and services available under the HCBS/TBI Waiver
Services:
In addition to services available through State Plan Medicaid, individuals determined eligible for the Waiver Program may also develop an individual service plan including any of the services listed below.
- Service Coordination – a coordinator is chosen by the Waiver participant and/or guardian to work with them in identifying and coordinating supports and services
- Independent Living Skills Training – provides one-to-one support to focus on increasing independence in practical skills, such as cooking, shopping, banking, etc.
- Structured Day Program – provides an environment focused on task oriented activities and social skill building
- Community Integration Counseling – counseling is provided to participant or family members to assist with issues related to community integration
- Home and Community Support Services – provides guidance and assistance to enable the Waiver participant to reside safely within the home and community environments
- Substance Abuse Program – services implemented are based on the unique challenges associated with TBI to reduce and/or eliminate substance abuse that interferes with integration into the community
- Positive Behavioral Intensive Services (PBIS) – provision of direct technical assistance to individuals with challenging behaviors and staff training for development of program support strategies
- Environmental Modification – provides adaptations to residences to promote independent and to ensure safety
- Respite – provides short-term relief to care-givers
- Special Medical Equipment & Supplies – provides durable and non-durable equipment not funded under state plan Medicaid
- Transportation – provides access to non-medical services in the community
Program Coordination
The NY state-wide TBI Program is divided into 12 regional centers. WILC, which is the Hudson Valley Region Center, provides services for the residents of seven lower Hudson Valley counties (Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Putnam, Dutchess, and Ulster Counties).
For more information about the services and/or becoming a waiver services provider: Click Here.
