Help Moving Into the Community

Many people with disabilities who live in long-term care facilities or other institutional settings would like to live in the community. Other people who have just been diagnosed with a disability or had a serious medical event and are in the hospital usually want to return to the community as soon as possible.

If you are in a situation like this and want to move from a hospital or institution to a home in the community, check out Transition Services and Transition Coordination. They can help you:

• Decide which community-based setting is possible and the right choice for you
• Coordinate your move out of an institution and into the community
• Connect with community-based supports, services, and training
• Sign up for waivers to get Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
• Find your housing options and choose the best one for you

Who Qualifies?

Transition Services and Transition Coordination may help you if you:

• Have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) coverage
• Are 18 years old or older
• Qualify for one or more of Colorado’s six adult waiver programs
• Are moving from an institutional setting to a home and community-based setting, or have a change in life circumstance where you may need Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).

If you don’t have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) coverage, you can apply through Colorado PEAK, by contacting your local county human services department, or by calling 1-800-221-3943.

How can I get started with Transition Services and Transition Coordination?

To apply for Transition Services and Transition Coordination:

1. If you don’t have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) coverage, you need to apply through Colorado PEAK or by contacting your local county human services department. Note: If you have a job, you can earn up to $136,560 per year and still get coverage through the Health First Colorado Buy-In Program For Working Adults With Disabilities (Medicaid Adult Buy-In). Learn more in DB101’s Medicaid Adult Buy-In article.
2. Contact your Local Contact Agency for Options Counseling or get a referral to it. Referrals can be made by long-term care facility staff, family members, friends, or community members. The Options Counseling staff will guide you through the application process and help get you started with your Transition Services and Transition Coordination.
3. Apply for one of Colorado’s adult waiver programs:

   • Brain Injury Waiver (BI)

   • Community Mental Health Supports Waiver (CMHS)

   • Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DD)

   • Complimentary and Integrative Health Waiver (CHI)

   • Elderly, Blind and Disabled Waiver (EBD)

   • Supported Living Services Waiver (SLS)

Note: If you already get Health First Colorado (Medicaid) and have a Case Manager, you can ask them about Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) and they can help you apply.

Learn more about waiver programs in DB101’s HCBS Waivers article.