Who is eligible for this service?

o   Unpaid family members or caregivers of an individual with intellectual disability or autism who has an HCBS waiver (Person/Family Directed Support Waiver, Community Living Waiver, Consolidated Waiver).

• If you or your loved one does not have a waiver and think you may be eligible for services, please check with your County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MH/ID) Program Offices.

o   An unpaid family member or caregiver is defined as any person who provides uncompensated care, training, guidance, companionship or support to the individual such as a family member, spouse, neighbor, friend, partner, companion, or coworker.

•   A family member or caregiver providing paid services (i.e. In Home and Community Supports staff) is not eligible for this service.

•   *An exception is made for family/ caregivers who provide transportation (only) to their loved one. If the family member/ caregiver is not paid for any other services or supports, they can be eligible for FCTS.

o   The individual/ loved one with waiver services cannot reside in Residential Habilitation (CLA or group home) or Life Sharing. They CAN receive other services, such as IHCS, CPS, behavioral support, etc.

   How much does this cost?

o   All FCTS sessions will be funded through your loved one’s waiver, at no direct cost to you. We will work with the Supports Coordinator to get the service added to their Individual Support Plan (ISP).

  How does this differ from counseling or behavioral support?

o   FCTS can be provided in collaboration with counseling for yourself or your loved one, as well as behavioral support for your loved one.

o   The FCTS counselor will review any supports in place, like a behavior plan, and work to align goals and services with the plans already in place. While the behavior plan is a great start to learning how to navigate crises situations, FCTS can also help you learn how to keep yourself calm and explore your own coping skills when faced with challenging situations. It also offers additional areas of support for you, like communication, reducing stress, education about your loved one’s diagnoses and treatments, and more.

o   While the service is provided by a licensed professional, it is distinctly different from counseling. Some areas may overlap, but FCTS is provided to help you support achievement of the outcomes identified in your loved one’s ISP and is related to your role in supporting them in areas specified in the ISP. If you think you may need more intentional, individualized therapy, we encourage you to reach out to another professional.

When and how often do we meet?

o   That’s up to you! The waiver allows for a maximum of 20 hours per year of this service. When you first meet with the FCTS counselor, we will discuss your goals and collaborate to create a plan that suits your needs. The service will then be added to the ISP accordingly.

Where do we meet?

o   That’s also up to you! We can meet in your home or community.

o   We also offer 1:1 and group sessions through a collaboration with Adaptive Healing Yoga in Phoenixville.

Do I need to sign up for the groups?

o   Yes, planning and prior approval is needed if you want to join the groups. Because this is a service through the waiver, it needs to be connected to your loved one’s ISP. This process usually takes about 2 weeks after the team meets with the Supports Coordinator.

My loved one cannot be left alone. How can I participate in this service?

o   Your loved one is welcome to explore the Wellness Center for our 1:1 sessions or they can join their own class at Adaptive Healing Yoga during the group sessions- either service can also be linked through waiver funds. Depending on your goals, we can also include your loved one in our FCTS meetings, or we can meet in a private area of your home. We’re here to help navigate planning with you and can offer a flexible schedule, meeting where it best suits your needs.

Does my loved one need to be connected with other services at Shared Wellness?

o   Nope! We welcome anyone who has waiver services and meets the other eligibility criteria outlined above.

How do I get started?

o   You or your loved one’s Supports Coordinator can fill out a referral. Then a member of our team will reach out to schedule a free* consultation to explore your goals and interests. If you decide to move forward, the Supports Coordinator will add it to the ISP and we will get started when that gets approved!

•   *All FCTS sessions will be funded through waivers, at no direct cost to you. The initial consultation is not included in the annual maximum of 20 hours of this service.