Many parents, including myself, strongly oppose the proposed amendments related to the CCC+ waiver, which would unfairly require the return to submitting exhausting supporting documentation for The Objective Written Documentation Form. These changes do not consider the lived experiences of caregivers already stretched thin by the demands of caring for a child with significant needs.

Example: For instance, a mother who cares for her non-verbal autistic child under the CCC+ waiver recently shared her struggle. She spent hours gathering medical records, therapist notes, and daily logs to justify her role as the best suited to provide personal care services for her child. The effort took away from her ability to care for her child, leading to missed therapies and increased stress in the household. Despite her exhaustive documentation, the process caused months of delays in receiving services, significantly hindering her child’s progress.

Impact: This burden of documentation does not recognize the daily challenges of caregiving and undermines the LRI's critical role. Instead of providing support, it forces parents to justify their qualifications, even though they are often the best-suited individuals to care for their child. This process's emotional and practical tool can lead to burnout and prevent families from accessing timely care.

By opposing these amendments, we are standing up for parents' rights to prioritize their children’s care without having to endure a bureaucratic process that devalues their efforts and expertise. Submitting extensive supporting documentation is not a solution; it only creates additional barriers to care for those who need it most.

They are remaining as the first option as the Legally Responsible Individual (LRI) is not just critical, it's necessary. It ensures that the person who knows the child best provides consistent, loving care. If any amendment changes this, it will cause harm to the child by forcing families to justify their role and endure unnecessary delays. I strongly oppose the Application for 1915(c) HCBS Waiver: Draft VA.004.05.03. This draft would strip away the flexibility and security that families need, and I urge lawmakers to reconsider this harmful path.