This page provides information and resources for services coordinators and personal agents who serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities getting in-home supports through ODHS.
Provider typesIn-home exceptions resourcesIn-home hours transition resourcesCEN programRules and policiesWorker guides and job aidsGeneral CME resources
Overview of community living supports
Community living supports includes services available to individuals who live in their own or family's home to meet their needs. People using community living supports can combine the services and provider types to customize their supports to their unique needs. These services include hourly attendant care, skills training, relief care and day support activities.
The
ODDS Expenditure Guidelines provide important information that describes the above services and their authorization instructions. The guidelines also include information about other services available to people who live in their own or family home.
In-home provider types
Different provider types are available to meet a person's needs when they get community living supports in their own or family home. When supporting people to choose a provider model, please explain the requirements and reasons behind them.
Here are the three in-home provider options, the intent for each and what case managers should look for.
Most self-directed: The person is the employer.
This model gives the person the most control over their support. Case managers help explain responsibilities and connect them to resources.
What to look for:
- Hiring freedom: The person (or proxy) hires their own worker. This can be someone they know or hired through tools like Carina.
- Why it matters: Choice builds comfort and trust.
- Safe start: Workers must pass a background check and complete the Carewell orientation.
- Why it matters: Safe, prepared workers.
- Employer and employee setup: Payroll and taxes are handled through PPL.
- Why it matters: To make sure workers are paid correctly and legally.
- Managing support: The person handles scheduling, training and performance. They get help from employer support resources or a proxy.
- Why it matters: To build skills and ensure support is reliable.
- Ongoing training: Workers complete training and can access more through the Oregon Home Care Commission.
- Why it matters: Better training means better care.
- Getting paid: Workers log hours in eXPRS. PPL processes payment.
- Why it matters: Timely pay and accountability are key.
- Solving problems: The person and worker handle issues together first. If needed, others like the case manager or union can help.
- Why it matters: Clear paths to resolution keep care on track.
Resources for case managers working with PSWs
Shared direction: Balancing personal choice with agency partnership.
This model gives the person more control. The agency helps with the details.
What to look for:
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Person-led decisions: The person stays in charge of their care and support choices.
- Why it matters: To protect dignity and support person-centered planning.
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Support to self-direct: The person learns what self-direction means and what responsibilities they share with the agency.
- Why it matters: Knowledge builds confidence and clarity.
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Respect for preferences: Worker selection, services and schedules reflect what's most important to the person.
- Why it matters: Support should fit the person's life, not the other way around.
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Clear roles: The person and agency work together to hire, train, and manage workers.
- Why it matters: To reduce stress and ensure fair employment practices.
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Feedback matters: People and workers can share input that helps shape agency practices.
- Why it matters: Listening builds trust and improves services.
Maximum agency support with the person's input: Focused on achieving goals.
When someone chooses this model, the agency provides a high-level of support but always with the person's voice at the center.
What to look for:
- Reliable services: Agencies must find backup staff when needed and cannot require families to do the scheduling.
- Why it matters: to prevent gaps in care and treat workers fairly.
- Skilled, supported workers: Staff get at least 12 extra hours of training. Supervisors are available during shifts.
- Why it matters: to make sure care is safe and effective.
- Inclusive services: Agencies must support people with complex needs and provide proper training and documentation. Agencies will work with other professionals to provide needed supports.
- Why it matters: Everyone deserves quality care, no matter their support needs.
- Whole-person support: Agencies help with planning, risk reduction, goal setting, and community living. They report progress every quarter.
- Why it matters: Support should go beyond daily tasks – it should help people live meaningful lives.
In-home exceptions resources
Workday training course: Exceptions for In-Home Hours
This training consists of three modules:
- Partnering the ONA with the ISP and In-Home Hours Exception
- Exceptions for In-Home Hours: Staffing Ratios
- Exceptions for In-Home Hours: Hour Allocation
Children's Extraordinary Needs program
Services coordinators can use this chart to help parents know what services they get through each waiver. Children can access services from the K Plan and one waiver at a time.
ODDS sent postal letters to families in May. The letters walked families through the launch of the CEN Program. These letters may be useful when you meet with families. Contact
cenprogram@odhs.oregon.gov if you need other languages.
Letter to roughly 1,500 children who may be eligible
Letter to 155 children selected
Letter to children on waitlist
Case managers can use these tools to help children learn how to advocate for themselves when choosing and managing direct support professionals.
Parent provider trainings will take place in Summer 2024. Case management and provider agency staff are welcome to register. Dates and registration links can be found on the
Children's Extraordinary Needs page.
Rules and policies
Worker guides and job aides
In-home services (general)
In-home services (for children)
In-home services (for adults)
Working with Personal Support Workers