1. Program Definition and Services

Family Model Residential Services in Tennessee provide an intimate, family-based alternative to institutional placement (Host Home/Companion Care) for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The program aims to maintain individuals in the community within an authentic home, averting group facility models. Services include:

• 24/7 Home-Based Support: Round-the-clock companionship, protective oversight, nutrition monitoring, and personal hygiene/bathing support.
• Skill-Building Care: Structured guidance with household chores, independent financial skills, community recreational navigation, and medication adherence.

2. Regulations

The program is governed by the following regulations:

• Rules of the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), Chapter 0465-02-11 (Residential Minimum Requirements)
• TennCare Rules and Regulations, Chapter 1200-13-01 (ECF CHOICES and 1915(c) Waiver Operations)
• Federal Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Final Rule Settings Criteria
• Tennessee Adult Protective Services Act (TCA Title 71, Chapter 6)

3. Licensing or Certification

Providers must be certified by the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) as a licensed residential provider agency and pass initial/annual host home safety study screenings.

4. Responsible State Agency

The Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) Provider Enrollment and Licensure Units are responsible for reviewing applications, overseeing home matching, and certifying family model residential providers.

5. Application Process

The application process is conducted through the electronic TennCare Provider Portal and DIDD Enrollment System. Providers must submit their host home screening models and application materials online to initiate reviews.

6. Required Documentation

While specific documentation requirements vary based on the target waiver, providers typically need to submit:

• Proof of compliance with DIDD home safety checklists, structural rules, and environmental rules
• Family Model Services Policy & Procedure Manual (including host selection and respite models)
• Staff and primary host family background metrics, references, and training completions
• Proof of agency general liability, auto insurance riders, and professional insurance protections

7. Timeline for Approval

The exact timeline for approval fluctuates based on agency capacity. Providers should contact their DIDD regional office for detailed information on current home assessment and certification processing timeframes.

8. Pre-Application Process

Prospective providers must complete specific foundation tasks before applying. They must establish their provider business with the TN Secretary of State, secure an EIN, and obtain a Type 2 National Provider Identifier (NPI).

9. Pre-Application Training

The state hosts mandatory administrative and compliance training sessions online. Access details for the DIDD-approved Family Model Core Orientation and Incident Management sequences are sent to qualified applicants once preliminary paperwork is reviewed.

10. Additional Notes

• Providers must ensure that host home environments meet all state environmental safety codes and pass recurring site reviews
• Family Model care plans must be built exclusively into the individual's authorized Person-Centered Support Plan (PCSP)
• All primary caregivers and co-residents over 18 must conduct mandatory fingerprint clearances and background screening checks
• Providers must maintain detailed records of face-to-face oversight visits, health logs, and daily progress sheets for Medicaid compliance

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