Question 1

What is HCS?

Accepted Answer

HCS stands for Home and Community-based Services. It is a Texas Medicaid waiver program that helps people with an intellectual disability or a related condition live in the community, in their own home, a family home or a small shared home, rather than in an institution. The program can fund things like residential support, respite, day habilitation, supported employment and other services, depending on what an individual is assessed as needing.

Question 2

How do I find out whether someone is eligible?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility is decided by the State of Texas and your Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA), not by any provider. We cannot approve or decline anyone for the program. What we can do is explain how the process works, tell you which LIDDA covers your area, and help you get to the right people. Call us and we will point you in the right direction, whether or not you end up working with us.

Question 3

There is a waiting list. Is there anything I can do now?

Accepted Answer

The HCS interest list in Texas is long, and waiting is genuinely hard. The single most important thing is to make sure the person is actually on the list. Many families assume they are when they are not. Contact your LIDDA to check, and ask them about other programs that may be available sooner. We are glad to talk it through even while you wait.

Question 4

What does it cost?

Accepted Answer

For services funded through the HCS program, families are not billed by us for the authorized services in a person’s plan. Funding comes through the program. What is authorized depends on assessment and on the individual plan, so the right person to confirm what is covered in a specific case is your service coordinator. We will always be straightforward with you about what is and is not included.

Question 5

Which areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We support people across Austin and the surrounding Central Texas communities, including Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Hutto, Manor, Kyle, Buda, Bastrop, Lakeway and Bee Cave. Availability in any given area depends on staffing and on program authorization, so please ask us about your specific location.

Question 6

How quickly will you respond?

Accepted Answer

We aim to respond to every inquiry within one business day. If you contact us at a weekend, you will hear from us on the next working day. Please note this website is not monitored for emergencies. If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, call 911.

Question 7

How do I make a referral?

Accepted Answer

Use the referral form on this website, or call us. The form takes a few minutes and asks only for what we need to make contact. Please make sure you have the person’s consent, or the legal authority to act for them, before sharing their details with us.

Question 8

I am a service coordinator. What do you need from me?

Accepted Answer

Initially, very little. Your contact details, the general area, and a sense of what is being looked for. We will come back to you within one business day and tell you plainly whether we have capacity. We would rather tell you no quickly than leave a referral sitting unanswered.

Question 9

Can we visit before deciding anything?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and we would encourage it. Nobody should agree to a home or a service they have not seen. We can arrange for the person and their family to visit, meet the team, and take the time they need to decide.

Question 10

What if something goes wrong or we are unhappy?

Accepted Answer

Tell us, as early as you can. We would much rather hear about a small problem now than a serious one later. You will always know who to contact, and we will tell you what we are doing about it and when. You also have the right to raise concerns with your service coordinator or your LIDDA at any time.

Question 11

Do you have job openings?

Accepted Answer

We are often looking for Direct Support Professionals and other team members. Current openings are listed on our Careers page, and you can send a general application at any time. Previous experience in care is welcome but not essential. The right attitude matters more, and we provide training.

Frequently asked questions

Getting started and eligibility

Services

Payment and program

Service area

Referral partners

Careers

General

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