12VAC35-105-20. Definitions.

"group home or community residential service" would be updated to be defined as  "a congregate service providing 24hour supervision in a community-based home having eight or fewer residents that provides 24hour supervision by persons in direct care positions who do not live in the home."

The proposed redefinition of Group Home, will adversely affect people with Developmental Disbailities. The changes porposed suggest that people in direct care positions can no longer live in the same home as people with Developmental Disabilities. This change would limit the personal choicesof people Developmental Disabilities. Furthermore, it risks isolating and confining people with Developmental Disabilities. It limits and restricts the role of people with Developmental disabilities from teaching and coaching direct support professionals.

This proposed language change would have a significant impact on choice of service providers for individuals already receiving services in our communities. Should the chang be adopted, it will exclude agencies that use a blended staff model - employing direct care professionals that live in the home AND live out of the home"  in order to provide 24hr support and supervision - from providing services. 

Please delete the phrase, “who do not live in the home.”