Questions & Answers for Home Providers,
Host Families and Roommates

1. What Is A Home Provider?

A Home Provider is a person, couple or family who agrees to share their home with a person who happens to have a disability.

A roommate or companion is a person who agrees to live with an elderly or disabled person in the client's home or apartment.

Generally speaking, Home Providers and Roommates assume responsibility for life-sharing, as well as home sharing. That is, they provide the bulk of the support that the person needs and desires.

2. How Is A Roommate Different Than A Home Provider?

The primary difference is where the support takes place. A Home Provider shares his/her home while a Roommate moves into the client's home. Alternatively, the Roommate and Client may find a place together and co-sign a lease. The choice is not related to the person's disability, i.e. a person may choose to have a Roommate versus a Provider for many reasons; the amount of support needed is not necessarily one of them.

Another difference is in the working relationship between the provider and Living Innovations. Living Innovations contracts with Home Providers, who are independent contractors of our company, while Supportive Roommates are employees of Living Innovations.

3. Who Can Be A Home Provider? Roommate?

Anyone who is over the age of eighteen, in good general health and willing to be part of a team to help provide support to a person with a disability. You may be married or single, with or without children, male or female, young or old, employed or not...

4. I've Never Done Anything Like This Before. Will I Be Considered If I Have No Experience?

Although it is always a benefit to have experience in serving persons with developmental disabilities, or in human services in general, we do not feel that it is the most important attribute in a potential provider. Qualities such as patience, common sense and a genuine acceptance of the person with the disability are highly valued. Very successful situations have resulted when a person with no experience other than perhaps raising his/her own children has become a provider. Everyone is welcome to apply!

5. Whose Home Is It?

In some cases a person or family may invite someone to share their home. The expectation in this situation is that the home is truly shared by all who live in it and that the person with a disability doesn't become a mere boarder.

In many situations it is much more desirable for the person to have his/her own home and to invite a person or family to share it. For many people the stability and sense of ownership and control in their homes is a priority. In this case, the home, although shared, is primarily controlled by the person with a disability.

Sometimes, neither party has a place to call home, so the two of them would look for housing that is suitable for both. All of these arrangements are acceptable if they fulfill the needs of those involved.

6. How Are Individuals Matched With Providers?

We have sent you a questionnaire, which we hope will give us some insight into you and your lifestyle. The individuals looking for a provider or roommate have given us some ideas about what they would like and need in a provider. The results of these surveys will help us to determine, very generally, likely matches between people. However, personal interviews will also be conducted to get to know your needs, preferences, daily routine, outside responsibilities and life experiences. It is crucial to gain as much information as possible in order to pursue a possible match.

Once the possibility of a match is determined, you and the individual with a disability, their family and/or guardian and a representative of our agency will meet. Decisions are then made by the individual and/or guardian, as well as yourself, whether to proceed or search for another match. If the decision is made to proceed, more meetings will be arranged for you to get to know each other. This period may last anywhere from one to three months, depending on the people involved and the urgency of the person's residential situation. It is usually undesirable for a placement decision to be made in less than one month from the first meeting. As long as all parties are content at the end of this period of time, necessary moving plans may begin.

7. Can I Work And Be A Provider, Too?

It is possible to work and be a provider; however, certain criteria must be met. You must be available to transport the individual to and from their job or daytime activity. Additionally, providers are generally responsible for covering client illnesses and occasional staff absences.

You also have to consider the time and energy needed to maintain regular employment and support an individual with disabilities at home. While this is a personal decision, it must be understood that our agency's primary concern is for the people we serve and that their well-being is our priority.

8. Do I Get Time Off?

You may get "time off" in two ways. If the person living with you is able to spend some time independently, then "time off" is inherent in the situation. If the individual requires 24-hour supervision, then usually there is respite allowed for in the individual's budget. Often our providers arrange their own relief; we also assist in finding respite providers. Many providers do respite for one another as a way to cut down on respite costs. Either way, your contract is developed with the recognition that you and the individual with whom you live will need time away from each other occasionally. Please be aware that our agency needs to know with whom the person is staying in respite situations.

9. How Will I Be Paid?

Each situation varies. You may receive free rent or a room and board payment. You may or may not receive a monthly stipend based on the amount of support you are expected to provide.

The money you receive as a Home Provider is not taxable income. You are not considered an employee of Living Innovations; you will enter into a Contractual Agreement as an Independent Contractor. Living Innovations does not provide insurance coverage or other employee benefits to Home Providers.

A Roommate is an employee of the company and will be paid on the same bi-weekly payroll schedule as other employees. Roommates are considered as Companions, a category of employee that is eligible for health insurance coverage but no other benefits of the company.

10. As A Roommate/Provider, Who Is My Support Person? My Supervisor?

Providers/Roommates work as part of a team around the person with a disability. Other team members include the person, family members, friends, co-workers, staff people, a Case Manager and perhaps others. Supervision is provided by a Community Living Coordinator from Living Innovations. This supervisor relies heavily on input from the person and other team members.

11. Will I Get Any Training?

Living Innovations offers an Orientation and a Core Curriculum training to get you started. Also, you will receive training in Medication Administration, as this is a requirement of state regulatory agencies. Medication Training is a class designed to familiarize you with the different kinds of medications you may need to give your housemate, either regularly or on occasion, and safety issues involved in handling medications.

Throughout the time that you are a residential provider, you will be offered other opportunities to attend training on a variety of topics that will enhance your experience as a provider. You will also be able to access a support person assigned to your household, should you need questions answered.

12. I’m Not Sure I’m Interested But Would Like To Investigate Further. What Should I Do?

We can introduce you to other Providers/Roommates. You could meet a person who may be looking for a Provider or Roommate and get to know him/her. We can arrange for you to provide Respite in order to get a sense of home sharing.

In determining whether a potential home provider is appropriate for one of the people we serve, we would look at the following:

• The application, including references, criminal record and motor vehicle screenings;
  
  
• The applicant’s motivation and capacity to provide support;
  
  
• General cleanliness
  
  
• Any safety hazards
  
  
• Any architectural barriers
  
  
• Adequacy of the following
  - lighting
  - ventilation
  - hot and cold water
  - plumbing
  - electricity
  - heat
  - furniture, including beds
  - sleeping arrangements
  
  
• The number of floors, the location of bedrooms, and, if bedrooms are on the 2nd floor, the availability of two means of exit
  
  
• The willingness and capacity of the provider to manage required paperwork. It is not enough simply to share your life and home; there is a fair amount of paperwork to be completed on a timely basis
  
  
• Property and Homeowner’s liability insurance
  
  
• Automobile insurance
  
  
• Capacity and willingness to dispense medications according to policy
  
  
• Willingness and motivation to include the person in your life, to assist him/her to be a part of the community

13. What Other Kinds Of Information Will You Need From Me?

Enclosed in this packet is a list of the documents you are required to provide in order to be considered a potential provider. This includes a criminal records check on all adult members of the household. We also require three positive references and a means by which to reach these individuals.

As mentioned earlier, you will likely have many questions that have not been addressed here. Through-out the meetings that occur during the interview/match process, your questions will be answered. Please do not hesitate to ask.

MORE ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES:

Full and Part Time Employment:

• Community Living Coordinator
• Personal Care Support Provider
• Home Health Aide
• Homemaker
• Registered Nurse
• Home and Community Support Provider

Respite Care Provider

Residential Providers (back to main page)