Children's Waiver Services

What are Children's Waiver Services? 

Children's Waiver Services provide support to a family whose child may be at risk for placement out of the home because of extremely severe behavioral challenges or serious medical conditions requiring daily in home skilled nursing services. Children's Waiver Services are generally provided within the home, or in a community setting. They can vary in intensity based on the needs of each individual child and family.

Who can benefit from Children's Waiver Services?

Children who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability, and who have multiple service needs, may be eligible for Children's Waiver Services. They must be under the age of 18 and live in either Bay County or Arenac County. Children will be pre-screened for services locally. Priority to receive services is determined by the Clinical Review Team and the Department of Community Health at the state level. There are a limited number of Children's Waiver slots in the state so families are prioritized based on need and there are sometimes waiting lists to receive waiver services.

How do Children's Waiver Services help a family?

In most cases, the healthiest option for families who have children with developmental disabilities is to keep them living in the family home. (A family may be headed by a natural parent, adoptive parent, or legal guardian.) A Supports Coordinator can help the child - and the family - find the support they need to maintain this living arrangement. A person-centered planning approach is used to help identify an individual's strengths, dreams, goals and desires. Services provided may include professional assessment and treatment monitoring, behavior management, support coordination, therapy for the child and family, crisis intervention, respite care, enhanced health services, skilled nursing care, behavioral aids, medication administration and review, and therapy in occupational, physical, speech, hearing, and language areas. Services are based on the individual needs of each child/family.

How can you access Children's Waiver Services?

For more information about the program call (989) 895-2300 or 1-800 327-4693 and ask for the Family Support Program.

To request services call the Access Alliance of Michigan (a division of Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health) at 1-800-448-5498 (M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m).