Medicaid waiver for kids in-home care

[sandnsea]

New program in ND.

"..Parents of qualifying children will have access to Medicaid services, along with additional services for unique needs.

"The overall goal of the program is to assist families so parents can keep their children at home, instead of in a nursing home or hospital, to receive the level of care the child needs," Maggie Anderson, North Dakota Department of Human Services' Medicaid director, said. "Certainly just having your children with you is of primary importance. ... It actually helps care for and nurture the child because they're in their family home."

Funding for the program was created in the 2007 legislative session. The state provided $493,000 from the general fund, and the federal government kicked in $807,000. The program is funded through June 2009. Legislators can choose to extend it with another earmark next session.

The waiver provides $18,966 per child and can cover up to 15 children, Anderson said. Kids must be age 3 to 18.

The money can be used for items such as transportation, dietary supplements, counseling, in-home caregivers and adaptive equipment.."


http://www.bismarcktribune.com:80/articles/2008/04/04/news/local/152615.txt