Host Homes

The Host Home model is built on the belief in the importance of enduring and permanent relationships. The goal is to provide individuals with I/DD an opportunity to grow and develop to their greatest potential. This setting offers:

• A safe, nurturing, and person-centered living environment.
• Individualized attention based on the specific needs of the person served.
• Opportunities for learning life skills, developing self-esteem, and learning to exist in interdependence with others.
• The chance to participate in everyday community life, facilitated by the Host Home provider’s own friends, civic interests, neighbors, and activities.

Host Homes serve individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who are eligible for DBHDD waiver services, such as the Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP) or New Options Waiver Program (NOW). Typically, a Host Home provides services to one or two individuals.

Host Home providers, as part of delivering CRA services, offer intense levels of residential supports and training focused on daily living skills. This includes a range of interventions with particular focus on areas like:

• Eating and drinking.
• Toileting.
• Personal grooming and health care.
• Dressing.
• Communication.
• Interpersonal relationships.
• Mobility.
• Home management (meal preparation, cleaning, shopping, etc.).
• Use of leisure time.

Providers also:

• Support individual goals as outlined in the Individual Service Plan (ISP).
• Ensure supervision and assistance with activities of daily living.
• May assist with therapeutic exercises, supervise self-administration of medication, and perform health maintenance activities.
• Implement positive behavioral support plans as needed.
• Accompany individuals and facilitate participation in community activities, appointments, etc..

Watchful Oversight and Support

Host Home providers are responsible for the 24-hour care of the individual(s) served. The provider agency (CHU) provides ongoing monitoring and support, including monthly home visits to ensure the individual’s well-being, health, safety, and progress towards their ISP goals. The agency also conducts an annual assessment of the Host Home site.

Documentation

Maintaining thorough and accurate documentation is a key responsibility. Providers are required to document the service provided to an individual each time service is delivered. For a daily service like CRA, this means documenting daily. Documentation must include specific details such as the specific activity, training, or assistance provided, the date and time, the location, verification by the person providing the service, and progress towards ISP goals. These records must be kept readily available.