Requesting The Department Of Human Services And Department Of Health To Establish A Program To Incentivize Community Care Foster Family Homes In The State To Accept Individuals Who Are Eligible For Assistance Pursuant To The State's Medicaid I/dd Waiver Program.
The establishment of such a program is significant as it addresses the needs of individuals who require nursing facility-level care, providing an alternative to institutionalized settings such as skilled nursing or intermediate care facilities. The intent behind the resolution is to enhance the quality of life for these individuals by facilitating more personalized care in community settings, which is generally seen as a more desirable option for families. The resolution's focus on the Medicaid I/DD waiver program highlights an effort to improve accessibility to vital services that support community living and mitigate the challenges faced by families caring for loved ones with disabilities.
Senate Resolution 57 (SR57), introduced in the 2025 legislative session of Hawaii, requests the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health to establish a program aimed at incentivizing Community Care Foster Family Homes (CCFFHs) to accept individuals eligible for the Medicaid intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) waiver program. This resolution emerges from a recognition of the insufficient number of CCFFHs in Hawaii that are willing to cater to this specific population, thereby impacting the availability of home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
While the resolution is largely oriented toward improving care and support options, potential points of contention could arise around the funding and implementation of the proposed incentive program. Stakeholders may debate the adequacy of resources allocated for this purpose and the criteria for incentivizing CCFFHs to participate. There could be concerns regarding the quality of care in incentivized settings and whether the program effectively reaches its targeted demographic, particularly in ensuring that individuals with varying needs are adequately catered to within these community-based options. Overall, SR57 embodies a proactive step towards expanding support for some of Hawaii's most vulnerable residents, though the execution of such initiatives will necessitate careful planning and assessment.