Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) Children’s Waiver

EPI offers NYS Children’s Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), which provide flexible care and support for families with a child or youth who needs extra care at home or in the community. The goal of the program is to avoid hospital or long-term facility stays for children/ youth who are medically fragile, or have physical or medical disabilities, HIV/AIDS, or mental health disorders. HCBS services provide the support needed to enable children/ youth to be successful at home, in school, and in the community. Each child/ youth is supported with tailored and flexible services that allows them to learn new skills and achieve educational, employment, and life goals.
Services are provided when and where the child/ youth and their family are most comfortable, with highly trained and compassionate staff.
Eligibility
- Up to 18 years old, living in the family home within Monroe County
- Enrolled or eligible for Medicaid and HCBS
- Has one or more qualifying chronic health conditions that require additional, specialized care
- Is at risk for hospital visits and/or long-term facility stays
Services Offered

Planned Respite
Planned Respite provides pre-planned short-term relief for a child’s/ youth’s primary caregiver and supports the child’s/ youth’s developmental, behavioral, and health care needs. Each respite direct support professional is trained to support each child’s/ youth’s specific needs. Supports can be provided in short or longer-term increments. Respite can be provided in the home or in a variety of settings such as parks, community centers, museums, etc. Respite activities are tailored to the needs and interests of each child or youth.

Community Habilitation
Community Habilitation is a service that supports a child in learning and maintaining daily living skills. Trained Direct Support Professionals assist each child/ youth through specific training and role modeling to develop skills such as self-care, community integration, life safety, and communication skills. This support can be provided individually or in a group.

Day Habilitation
Day Habilitation assists a child/ youth in learning and maintaining daily living skills such as community inclusion, appropriate behaviors, relationship building, and self-advocacy. Day Habilitation is most often provided in a New York State certified setting on weekdays between the hours of 9am- 3pm.
Community-based activities such as visits to museums and volunteering can also be provided. This service can also be provided in a supplemental version (outside the hours of 9am-3pm) for children/ youth who do not live in a certified setting which includes late afternoon, evenings, and weekends. Day Habilitation can be provided individually or in a group.
Contact
We are here to help. Get in touch with us if you have questions, need assistance or more information.
Email info@epiny.org
Phone (585) 442-6420