Dear Michael, MESSAGE TO FAMILIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM FROM DDS Open Enrollment for the Autism Waiver Program Coming Soon November 7, 2014 - November 21, 2014 The Autism Division of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) runs a Autism Waiver Program that provides one-to-one interventions to help children with autism who exhibit severe behavior, social and communication problems through a service called Expanded Habilitation, Education (intensive in-home services and supports, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, Floor Time and Communication models).This service occurs in the child's home or other natural settings under the supervision of trained clinical staff and is available for a total of three years. The waiver also provides related support services such as community integration activities and respite. At the conclusion of the three years of the intensive in-home services, a child may access ongoing supplemental services (respite and goods and services, etc.) that meet the child's needs and help with the transition out of the intensive Autism Waiver Program-until the child's 9th birthday. At this time the program serves approximately 300 children a year. While the program is near capacity, there is a high rate of turnover in the program every year; therefore, we run a waiting list of applicants to fill any open slots. The Autism Program also maintains reserved capacity for children who are age 3 and transitioning out of Early Intervention. This means that the Autism Division reserves 20 statewide slots for children who are age 3. These children will still need to meet all relevant financial and clinical eligibility standards required for entry into the Program. The Autism Waiver serves children up until their 9th birthday, with an autism spectrum disorder who meet the eligibility criteria for the Waiver Program. All waiver services require that the child continues to meet the financial and clinical eligibility requirements for the Waiver Program. Eligibility: the following requirements are necessary for participation in this program: 1. The child must have a confirmed diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder, subject to verification by the Department of Developmental Services. 2. The child has not yet reached his/her 9th birthday. Children birth through age 8 may participate. 3. The child is a resident of Massachusetts. 4. The child meets the level of care required for services in an Intermediate Care Facility for persons with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/ID) as assessed by DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. 5. The family chooses to have the child receive services in the home and community. 6. The child must be able to be safely served in the community. 7. The child must have a legally responsible representative able to direct the services and supports of the Waiver. 8. The child must be found by the MassHealth agency to be eligible for MassHealth Standard coverage, based on family income. For families who have not yet applied for MassHealth, this must be done at the time of the filing of the Waiver Program Eligibility Request Form. 9. Below is the maximum Income Guidelines for MassHealth Standard at 150% of Federal Poverty Level. In order to participate in the Autism Program, your family income must fall below the levels on the list*: Family Size | Monthly | Yearly | 2 | $1,976 | $23,604 | 3 | $2,474 | $29,688 | 4 | $2,982 | $35,784 | 5 | $3,489 | $41,868 | 6 | $3,997 | $47,964 |
*If your child is under age one or has a specialized medical condition such as blindness, deafness or a debilitating chronic medical illness the standards are different from those listed above; please contact the Autism Division for clarification in these cases. Additional Information: The Autism Division of DDS has the family related Waiver Program Application Forms available in multiple languages. Please go to the DDS website or call one of the seven DDS funded Autism Support Centers for a copy in Arabic, French, Haitian-Creole, Khmer, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Thai and Vietnamese. This notice and other waiver information is available on the DDS web-site at www.mass.gov/DDS under 'Autism Spectrum Services' and at the DDS funded Autism Support Centers. For additional information about the Autism Waiver Program or if you have questions, please call 888-367-4435 or email AutismDivision@state.ma.us How to Participate in the Eligibility Process: ONLY ONE APPLICATION PER CHILD-Multiple Forms Will Be Discarded Submit the Application Form: By Mail - All Applications must have a Postmark/Date Stamp between November 7, 2014- November 21, 2014
- Please complete the form in Pen and Print Clearly
- Please Mail Form To: (The Autism Division is not able to accept hand delivered forms)
AUTISM DIVISION of DDS Att. Autism Waiver Program Open Enrollment 500 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 Applications are available here on the ASC website. Please contact ASC if you need additional information- asc@ne-arc.org or 978-777-9135 Sincerely,
Autism Support Center A program of Northeast Arc | 
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