What is a DSP?
A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is a highly trained, dedicated, and amazing caregiver who works directly with the individuals that CRi serves. DSPs assist people with physical and cognitive impairments with all aspects of life, helping them maintain or even improve their personal independence and quality of life.

What kinds of community homes does CRi have?
CRi has three types of community homes: Intermediate Care Facility (ICF), Medicaid Waiver, and Mental Health. CRi also has all four of the provider designation badges to provide services to people with physical and cognitive disabilities and mental health diagnoses. Visit www.mylifemycommunityvirginia.org for more information on other providers.  

What is an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF)?
An ICF is a home that makes the provider responsible for all in-home support needs, including nursing and behavioral support. An ICF might be the best fit for someone with complex medical needs, whose needs have changed due to aging, or someone with intensive care needs. If someone has a DD Waiver, they must forfeit it to live in an ICF because they will no longer need to search for community care options. View CRi's ICFs.

What is an DD Waiver home?
A DD/ID Waiver is needed for a DD group home because they are community based, so things like medical care and personal choice activities based on personal goals are accessed in the community. CRi’s DD Waiver homes, commonly referred to as group homes, require a CL Waiver for admission.

What is an DD Waiver?
A DD Waiver provides funding for Medicaid eligible individuals who have intellectual disabilities and who want to live in the community of their choice instead of an institution. DD Waivers are administered jointly by DMAS, Virginia’s Medicaid authority, and DBHDS. Waiver slots are assigned based on urgency of need and there is a waiting list for each of the three types of DD Waivers: Building Independence (BIS), Family and Individual Supports (FIS), Community Living (CL). Application for a DD Waiver is made through one of the 40 Virginia Community Services Boards (CSB). To find your CSB, visit the Community Services Boards directory of Virginia CSBs.  

How are Waiver Homes and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) different?
An ICF offers total care and may be the best fit if your loved one has complex medical needs and/or is aging in place. In an ICF environment, CRi and other providers are responsible for all of the support needs of individuals residing in the home which may include: nursing and behavioral support needs. There are no limits to the support immediately available.  

In a Waiver Home, the community provides support needs of your loved one, who also has a choice on what services they receive. Waiver Homes also offer more community involvement opportunities, providing specialized support based on personal goals. 

Is there a waiver I can use for CRi’s Mental Health Services?
Although Virginia does not have a mental health waiver, it does cover a variety of mental health services. 

In Northern Virginia, CRi has mental health homes in Arlington and Loudoun County. For information on other counties, visit the Community Services Boards directory of all CSBs in Virginia.  

What is the process for applying for a Waiver?
Connect with your local  Virginia Community Services Board to request a waiver screening. Sometimes, because of urgent circumstances, a waiver is available to an eligible person and services can begin. Usually though, an eligible person is placed on a waiting list.

A Community Living Waiver is what is needed to be admitted into a CRi Waiver Home.


My loved one has been placed on the Medicaid Waiver waitlist. Is there anything I can do to reduce the wait period?
An individual’s ability to be assigned a DD Waiver depends on the person’s level of need, the risk to the individual of not being able to access community care, and the availability of waiver slots. Advocate for a slot if there is a high hospitalization risk without consistent care, or if the person’s network lacks the ability or the financial resources to provide necessary care. Stay in touch with the assigned support coordinator and provide regular updates about changes in any medical or support needs.


I have a Medicaid Waiver. What do I do now?
Only the Community Services Board in Virginia can give you a status about where you are on the Medicaid waiver waitlist. Should your support needs become more complex, that could improve your status. It is vital you stay connected with your local CSB regularly to advocate for your loved one.


I would like to admit my loved one to an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) but would prefer to keep my Medicaid Waiver. What should I do?
Unfortunately, that’s not possible in Virginia. Please visit the DBHDS website for details.


What is the process for accessing an ICF?
The state of Virginia requires that every applicant for an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) receive an assessment to determine needs pertaining to Health Status, Communication, Task Learning, Personal Care, Behavior, Mobility, Community Living Skills and Self Direction.  A member of the CRi admissions team will complete the V.I.D.E.S. application for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Once the V.I.D.E.S. is submitted, DBHDS staff will conduct a screening, connecting the guardian to the appropriate Community Services Board, if needed. If the application is accepted, individuals must trade in their Medicaid Waiver to be admitted to an ICF.