A Program Of The Georgia Department Of Community Health A SNAPSHOT OF New Options Waiver Program (NOW) and Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP) Overview On November 1, 2008, the waiver programs for home and Eligibility community-based services for people with mental retardation or developmental disabilities transitioned to two new waivers: the Mental Retardation Waiver Program (MRWP) became the New Options Waiver (NOW) and the Community Habilitation and Support Services (CHSS) Waiver became the Comprehensive (COMP) Supports Waiver Program. There are a little over 11,000 people with developmental disabilities served by these programs in Georgia. People who are considering nursing institutional care such as Intermediate Care Facilities for people with mental retardation (ICF-MR) may be eligible for home and community based services as an alternative through Georgia's Medicaid waiver programs. In order to qualify for the Purpose of the New Waiver Programs waiver programs, the individual must first meet the The COMP Waiver Program is for individuals who need criteria for Medicaid payment in an institution and certain comprehensive and intensive services to live in the community. Individuals eligible for the COMP Waiver Program need out-ofhome residential support and supervision or intensive in-home services to remain in the community. other criteria. The person is then offered the choice between community-based services or institutional care as long as the community services do not cost more The NOW Waiver Program enables individuals with less intense than the institutional care and urgent needs than out-of-home residential treatment or extensive waiver services to live independently in the community. Goals for participants in the NOW Waiver Program include: Increasing the independence and quality of life for people with mental retardation or developmental disabilities Increasing the flexibility of service planning and delivery to meet an individual's needs Avoiding the need for more intensive services Services Provided by the New Waiver Programs The transition to the NOW and COMP Waiver Programs allow for a broader range of services than the previous waiver services. A comparison of services follows on page 2. 2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga 30303 www.dch.georgia.gov January 2009 A Snapshot of New Options Waiver Program (NOW) and Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP) MRWP/CHSS Services Community Habilitation and Support Services Consumer Directed Natural Support Enhancement Services Day Habilitation Day Support Environmental Modifications Financial Support Services Natural Support Enhancement Services Personal Support Services Residential Training and Supervision Respite Care Specialized Medical Equipment Specialized Medical Supplies Supported Employment Vehicle Adaptation NOW/COMP Services Community Living Support Services Community Residential Alternative Services Community Access Services Group and Individual Prevocational Services Supported Employment Services Group and Individual Community Living Support Self-Directed Community Access Service Self-Directed Respite Services Self-Directed Respite Services Overnight Self-Directed Natural Support Training Self-Directed Behavioral Supports Consultation Self-Direct Individual Directed Goods and Services Community Access Group Services Prevocational Services Community Access Services Group and Individual Prevocational Services Supported Employment Services Group and Individual Environmental Accessibility Adaptation Financial Support Services Community Living Support Services Community Access Services Group and Individual Respite Services Respite Services Overnight Natural Support Training Services Behavioral Supports Consultation Community Living Support Services Community Access Services Individual Community Residential Alternative Services Respite Services Specialized Medical Equipment Specialized Medical Supplies Supported Employment Group Services Vehicle Adaptation