OU Waiver Services

Mission Statement
"Maximizing Personal Potential through Dignified and Purposeful Living"

The Waiver program was created in the 1980's in the state of Iowa by a young adult with medical needs and delays. This individual was in a hospital for an extended period of time, but had the need and desire to reside at home in her most natural and comfortable living atmosphere. She was a self-advocate and lobbied to create a program for herself and others like her with special needs so they could receive funding to provide a high quality of life, residing with dignity and independence - thus the "Waiver Program" was
created.

OU Waiver Services firmly believes in this passion of life and for independence, and exists to help children with special needs reside with their families in their homes. In some cases, service may prelude or prolong a child's ability to remain at home rather than institutional placement. We currently provide services to infants, children, and adults with special needs who have qualified for one of the following waivers:

The Mental Retardation (MR) Waiver - The MR Waiver serves individuals that have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation. They may also have additional diagnosis, such as Autism, Downs Syndrome, etc.

Ill & Handicapped (IH) Waiver - The Ill & Handicapped Waiver is suited for those who have physical disabilities.

Brain Injury (BI) Waiver - The Brain Injury waiver is for those who have sustained a brain injury or have a congenital defect relating to the brain.

If your child is already on one of the Waivers specified, or if you have any questions about the application process or eligibility requirements, please direct them to Jennifer McCabe, Director of Waiver Services.

OU Waiver Services has taken a very unique, comprehensive, and cohesive approach to the children and young adults that we serve in our Waiver program. One of the programs that we offer under all three waivers is called respite care. The purpose of respite care is to provide relief for the parent/caregiver and give them time to enjoy other aspects of life with the assurance that the child is being provided quality care from our team of highly trained and compassionate staff. Respite care is only provided during hours that the primary caregiver is not working. OU Waiver Services offers both in-home and center-based respite. We offer both individual and group respite, depending on the individual's needs. We also offer medical respite, which is respite care provided by an LPN or RN for those individuals that require medical care and attention.

OU Waiver Services is unique with respite care in that we offer "planned respite", where we offer a day out for parents/caregivers, and plan a day or evening full of activities and outings (community awareness) for the children in a group setting.

Another program offered under the MR and Brain Injury Waivers is called Supported Community Living (SCL). SCL is designed to assist the child or young adult with daily living needs, which will aid them in becoming the most independent individual. This assistance may include skill building in the areas of personal care and needs, daily living skills, community skills, communication, self-advocacy, and any other areas that the team (parent/caregiver, case manager, Waiver Coordinator, Family Support Services Coordinator and other professionals) determine are skills that the child may master to maximize their personal potential.

The last program currently being offered by OU Waiver Services under all 3 Waivers mentioned above is entitled Interim Medical Monitoring and Treatment (IMMT). This program was recently created for those that have some medical needs that require monitoring and/or medical intervention as needed. The caregiver for the IMMT program may be a "specially trained" person (can be non-licensed), who is trained on the needs of each child or young adult. IMMT may be provided up to 12 hours daily while the parent/caregiver is at work, looking for employment, in the hospital, or receiving treatment for physical or mental illness. To quality for the IMMT program, the team, including the individual's primary physician, must formulate a case plan.

The Waiver program is a very exciting, beneficial, and a growing option for those that have special needs and their families. OU is very proud to be a Waiver service provider, and feels that we succeed in meeting each and every individual's social, emotional, and intellectual development, on a very personal level.

Jennifer McCabe
Director, Waiver Services
jmccabe@opportunitiesunlimited.com
712-277-8295
712-293-1977

*Remember: Every moment is a teachable moment!