CHILDREN’S WAIVER PROGRAM
(CWP)
What is the Children’s Waiver Program?
The Children’s Waiver Program (CWP) makes it possible for Medicaid to fund home and community-based services for children who are under age 18.
To be eligible for the CWP, the child must have a documented developmental disability and need medical or behavioral supports and services at home.
In addition, on a consistent daily basis within the home, the child must have behavioral/medical and habilitative needs that meet requirements for the level of care for an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID).
Who can Participate?
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Be under the age of 18.
Live in Jackson or Hillsdale county.
Live with birth/legally adoptive parent or with a relative who has been named the legal guardian by court*.
* Who is not paid to provide foster care for the child.
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Must have a developmental disability (DD). According to Michigan state law, a DD is not based on diagnosis. Instead, a DD is based on documented evidence of “substantial functional limitations” in three or more of the following areas:
Self care (bathing, eating, etc.)
Expressive/receptive language
Learning
Mobility
Self direction
If a child is age 16 or older, capacity for economic self-sufficiency and independent living can be considered.
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The child must have identified needs for a consistent, aggressive program of in-home services and supports focused on developing skills for the child to function with as much independence as possible/to prevent the loss of current abilities.
Other requirements can be found in the CWP section of the Medicaid Provider Manual.
Steps to Apply.
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Contact the LifeWays Access Department, describe your child’s needs, their functional limitations, the in-home help and services you are requesting, and your family’s income and resources (including private insurance and Medicaid eligibility).
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LifeWays will schedule an assessment. Based on the assessment, a prescreen may be submitted through the online system by LifeWays staff. Prescreens are scored using the Priority Weighing Criteria. After scoring, the assigned staff person will contact the family, or the family can contact the staff person if there are questions.
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When an opening occurs on the CWP, an invitation to apply is issued to the child with the highest updated score that meets all requirements at that time. Medicaid status is checked before invitations to apply are issued. If your child receives an invitation to apply, you will be contacted to make sure you still want to apply for the Children’s Waiver Program.