HCBS

The Independence Center (The IC) is one of the few agencies in Colorado that is approved to provide the In Home Support Services (IHSS) Program to consumers who receive Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) for the Elderly, Blind and Disabled and children who are enrolled in the Home and Community Based Services Children's Waiver. Medicaid consumers who are eligible for IHSS will be able to direct their own care and select attendants of their choosing to be hired by an In-Home Support Services Agency such as The IC. Clients can decide when, where and how their services are provided.  The IC also offers peer counseling, including, but not limited to, cross-disability peer counseling, information and referral services and individual and systems advocacy to all consumers. Additionally, The IC provides intake and orientation services to consumers or authorized representatives who are new to the IHSS concept.

In-Home Support Services include health maintenance activities, support for activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living, personal care services and homemaker services. Health maintenance activities are those routine and repetitive activities of daily living which are necessary for health and normal bodily functioning that an individual with a disability would carry out if he or she were physically able, or that would be carried out by family members or friends if they were available.

Attendants must complete a training class developed by The IC’s HCBS Department, which follows Medicaid requirements, prior to providing services to IHSS participants; however, IHSS participants or authorized representatives may waive the training and skills validations requirement if they choose.  

The IHSS program is a successful program allowing the consumer freedom to choose who provides their home health care and the ability to direct their own care, while enjoying the friendly support of the agency.  Team support is a genuine factor in maintaining independence in all areas of consumer care.