Memos
In this section, you will find memos issued by the Division of Children and Adult's Services pertaining to Adult Residential Services. If you have any questions, please contact Wade Samples.
Adult Residential Services (ARS)
For most adults, maintaining the highest level of independence possible is an important consideration. There are times, however, when it may become necessary to seek a supervised, supportive living environment in order to ensure safety and the availability of needed supportive services for an adult. When this is the case Adult Residential Services, available through the Department of Health and Human Resources, may be an option to consider.
Adult Residential Services refer to a range of services provided by the Department of Health and Human Resources to benefit incapacitated adults who reside in certain out-of-home, paid placement settings. This type of assistance is generally needed in situations when an incapacitated adult needs a supportive living arrangement but does not have family and/or financial resources to provide for these needs. Possible placement settings include:
- Adult Family Care Homes
- Adult Emergency Shelter Care Homes
- Residential Board and Care Homes
- Personal Care Homes
The role of DHHR in provision of these services is two fold. First, Adult Services staff can assist the adult with locating an appropriate placement setting, assist with the placement process and help the adult become adjusted to his/her new home, and assist with payment for their care in the placement setting when the adult does not have sufficient resources to cover the total cost of their care. After placement, the Adult Services staff maintain ongoing contact with the adult to ensure that their needs continue to be met. Second, Adult Services staff provide support and ongoing monitoring of two of the types of adult residential settings listed. These are Adult Family Care Homes and Adult Emergency Shelter Care Homes, both of which must be certified by the Department of Health and Human Resources before they may accept placement of an adult their home. The role of DHHR includes the recruitment of suitable homes and, once certified, provision of ongoing support, monitoring, and review to ensure that providers are able to furnish appropriate care and a supportive home for the adults placed in the home. Oversight and monitoring of Residential Board and Care Homes and Personal Care Homes is provided by the Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification.
The level of care needed by the adult to be placed is the key determining factor in deciding the type of setting that is most appropriate. When the Department of Health and Human Resources is involved in assisting with placement of an adult, the goal is always to find the least restrictive option that is appropriate to meet the individual's needs. If the adult's need for care exceeds the care available in the types of residential settings listed above, nursing home care is generally required.
