Notice of Intent to Amend the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Elders and the Personal Care Assistance Waiver

In accordance with the provisions of section 17b-8 of the Connecticut General Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) intends to submit an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to amend the Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Elders (known as CHCPE) waiver and the Personal Care Assistance (PCA) waiver.

For the CHCPE waiver, DSS is proposing to make the following revisions:

Adult Family Living: Modify the service definition and provider standards for the service. Edits clarify and further define department expectations around training, oversight, and responsibility of the provider agency and caregiver.

Assisted Living: Add a level 5 to support members with higher acuity needs to age in place.

Training and Counseling Services for Unpaid Caregivers Supporting Participants (COPE): Add a second delivery model to support greater utilization of the service. This additional model allows an independent occupational therapist to engage without a registered nurse. This model is approved and validated by the certifying body for COPE services.

For the PCA waiver, DSS is proposing to make the following revisions:

Adult Family Living: Modify the service definition and provider standards for the service. Edits clarify and further define department expectations around training, oversight, and responsibility of the provider agency and caregiver.

Training and Counseling Services for Unpaid Caregivers Supporting Participants (COPE): Add a second delivery model to support greater utilization of the service. This additional model allows an independent occupational therapist to engage without a registered nurse. This model is approved and validated by the certifying body for COPE services.

A copy of the complete text of the waiver applications is available, at no cost, upon request from: Christine Weston, Director of Community Options Unit, DSS Central Office, 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT, 06105, or via email at [email protected]. The documents may also be obtained at any DSS field office, or at the Town of Vernon Social Services Department.

All written comments regarding this application must be submitted by December 3, 2026 to: Christine Weston, Director of Community Options Unit, DSS Central Office, 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT, 06105, or via email at [email protected] .

For a copy of the Notice of Intent, please follow this link

For a copy of the full waiver application for amendment of CHCPE waiver, please follow this link

For a copy of the full waiver application for amendment of the PCA waiver, please follow this link