Arizona’s Developmental Home Program

• Established in 1998
• Serves Individuals with Developmental Disabilities through a contract with the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities
• Utilizes Licensed, Family Home Settings for Residential Placement
• Matches Family Strengths with Members’ Needs
• Encourages Maximum Family and Community Involvement
• Challenging, Demanding, Rewarding Pursuit
• Strong Agency-Level Support
• Makes a Difference in Attitudes about Individuals with Disabilities

What is a Developmental Home?

A Developmental Home is a licensed, family-home setting in which individuals with special needs reside. Developmental Home Providers are responsible for all aspects of care for the individual in their home. Providers are encouraged to incorporate individuals into as many aspects of family life as possible, including leisure, vacations, faith-based activities, meal preparation, etc. Providers receive a daily compensation for room and board and habilitation for days the individual is present.

Who is served in a Developmental Home?

Children (Children Developmental Home) and Adults (Adult Developmental Homes) with developmental disabilities can live in a licensed home. Developmental disabilities include autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and cognitive disabilities.

What is required to get licensed?

• You may be eligible for licensure if you meet all of the following qualifications:
• Are at least 21 years of age
• Obtain a fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
• Pass the protective service registry checks
• Are lawfully present in the U.S. and reside in Arizona
• Are free of medical, physical, or mental health problems that could interfere with the provision of safe care for a child or vulnerable adult.
• Are able to provide a child or adult with a clean bed and sufficient bedroom space
• Have sufficient income to meet the needs of your family
• Are able to meet and maintain the life-safety requirements for the home or apartment.

Once I am licensed, how long does it take to get a placement?

This can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on referral patterns, home suitability, and member/family choice. The placement matching process is very important. We try to closely match individuals with Providers who have the setting and skills to best accommodate their specialized needs. Although we do our best to match providers with appropriate members, we cannot guarantee placement in your home.

Can I have more than 1 person reside in my home?

Generally, newly licensed Child or Adult Developmental Home Providers are limited to one (1) placed individual by license conditions for approximately one year. Following a combination of factors, a recommendation for a license increase may be possible if the Developmental Program Team is in agreement. Factors to be considered include:

• 1 year of continual licensed status
• Sustained, successful placement of an individual for 6-12 months
• Positive evaluation from the member’s case manager of home suitability to specific client
• Member compatibility to live with more than 1 individual
• Increased and improved Provider strengths
• Absence of Corrective Action Plans, Licensing Inquiries, or CPS/APS reports

What are the rates paid for placement compensation?

Rates are paid based on State-determined reimbursement levels. A room and board and habilitation component are figured into the rate. Room and board reimburse providers for household expenses, such as groceries and hygiene supplies. Habilitation pays for support and training providers give to the individual placed in their home. The rate also includes alternative caregiver (respite) payment. From time to time, at the sole discretion of Clarvida and the Management Team, increases may be made to rates to accommodate contract adjustments at the State level or current market impact.

What are my responsibilities as a Developmental Home Provider?

A Child or Adult Developmental Home Provider is responsible for all aspects of an individual’s needs, including activities of daily living and the physical, emotional, educational, medical, social, and other needs of the placed individual. All Providers sign a Developmental Home Agreement, which specifies what the Provider, the State, and Clarvida agree to as placement expectations. Your Licensing Support Specialist will review this document with you during license renewal and at other times when necessary.

Am I responsible for transportation?

Providing transportation to all medical, dental, educational, social, and other appointments is a Provider requirement, as spelled out in the Adult or Child Developmental Home Agreement.

Do I get respite?

Clarvida recognizes the need for our licensed providers to take respite from time to time. In the interest of allowing providers the most flexibility, Clarvida includes respite funding in the provider rate of reimbursement. This allows our licensed providers to work with alternative caregivers that meet the needs of the members and the needs of each licensed family. The licensed providers then pay alternative caregivers directly at a mutually agreed-upon rate.
It is the licensed providers’ responsibility to ensure that alternative caregivers have been approved by the legal guardian, DDD support coordinator, and the Clarvida support specialist before respite is done. It is also the licensed providers’ responsibility to submit all necessary documentation PRIOR to doing respite. If an alternative caregiver is not secured, then Licensing support staff will assist in locating options, including other licensed homes.

What is involved with license renewal?

• Renewal of your license is done every year. To become renewed, you must:
• Complete ten (10) hours of continuing education training.
• Maintain current CPR, First Aid, Article 9 (Managing Inappropriate Behaviors), and Prevention and Support (if applicable).
• Provide updated Physician statements every 3 years, fingerprinting every six years, and an annual state home inspection.
• Along with training and certifications needed, a reapplication packet is required.
• Your Licensing Support Specialist will facilitate interviews to complete a home study.
• A renewal packet is provided approximately 3 months prior with all required paperwork.

What does the Developmental Home Program Team do?

The Developmental Home Program Team members serve in many roles, including Licensing Worker, Home Supervisor, DDD Liaison, Training Coordinator, and Support Specialist to the homes assigned to them. They:

• Monitor homes for licensing regulation compliance continually
• Offer technical assistance when areas of need emerge
• Complete yearly license renewal studies
• Facilitate Provider training opportunities
• Conduct monthly home visits and quarterly compliance reviews
• Assist Providers and Members in maintaining a relationship with other service Team members (Case Managers, Therapists, etc.)
• Foster independence through family homes

How do I learn more about becoming licensed?

Please contact our Intake Specialist at 602-433-1344 or 888-433-1344. The Intake Specialists will contact you to get some information and answer questions. Your information will also be provided to the Clarvida Developmental Home Program Supervisor, who will also contact you to provide more information and answer questions specific to the developmental home program.