Community First Choice Support & Planning Coach

A:  The CFC Budget is determined through the Universal Assessment which identifies the individual’s Level of Care, or how many Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) the participant needs assistance with.

A:  The CFC budget may be utilized for any long-term care supports and services that are approved under the program, and must include Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Services.  These supports and services include:  Assistive Technology (AT), Nurse, Speech Therapist, Environmental Modifications, Occupational Therapist, Support and Planning Coach, Health Coach, Transitional Services, Home Delivered Meals, Physical Therapist, and Workers’ Compensation.

A:  The CFC budget can be used to pay for the services of a Support & Planning Coach, however despite the self-directed nature of the program many services approved under CFC require Prior Authorization before they can be scheduled.  The PA must be completed by the Care Manager at the Access Agency in order to authorize the Support & Planning Coach service.

A:  Yes, you may hire a family member, friend, or any other self-hired independent PCA (not agency-based).  The only exceptions are that your PCA may not be:  Your spouse, Your Health Care Representative, or your Conservator or Guardian.

A:  Agency-based PCAs are only allowed for individuals on the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), however individuals on the Community First Choice (CFC) waiver may utilize the Support & Planning Coach in order to develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed in order to self-direct and manage their own caregivers.

A:  All caregivers signed up to provide care for a CFC waiver participant will undergo a background check during their credentialing process through Allied Community Resources.  The results of the background check will be provided to the program participant, however it is their responsibility to choose what to do with the information provided.  If a caregiver has a criminal record the participant can still hire them as a caregiver as long as they are making an informed decision; the only caregivers who may not be hired regardless of the desires of the program participant are those with a conviction for rape or sexual assault or for Medicaid fraud or other insurance fraud.

A:  During the hiring process each caregiver must be registered with Allied Community Resources, an agency that acts as the fiduciary and payer for the Community First Choice waiver.  Caregivers will report their time worked and tasks completed through the Sandata EVV system.  At the end of each week the program participant (Employer) is responsible for approving or correcting any submissions, and once approved will be submitted to Allied Community Resources who will process payment to the caregiver.