The Supported Community Living Program:

This program serves individuals 18 years of age or older who may have mental illness, mental retardation, developmental disabilities, or brain injury. Services and supports are provided to enable individuals to live and work in a community setting. Services are directed at enhancing an individual's ability to regain or attain higher levels of independence, or maximize current levels of functioning. Services that are provided by staff or through coordination with other resources include:

- Outreach, support and treatment services
- Assistance and referral in meeting basic human needs
- Assistance in housing and living arrangements
- Mental health treatment
- Crisis intervention assistance
- Social and vocational support
- Support, assistance, and education to the individuals family and the community
- Protection and advocacy
- Coordination and development of natural support systems
- Service coordination

Community Support Services:

This program is designed to assist with activities of daily living as they relate to mental health needs. Services are provided on a specific level, service decisions are made collaboratively by MBC, LIFE Skills, Inc. and the individual. Program components include:

- Crisis intervention/developing a crisis plan
- Coordination and development of natural support systems for mental health support
- Supportive relationship
- Ensuring that an individual attends mental health appointments and obtains psychiatric medications
- Monitoring of mental health symptoms and functioning/reality orientation

State Payment Program:

The individual receives the same benefits the county would fund, according to the County Plan in which the indiviudal resides at the time of service delivery. This program is designed to assist individuals to remain in the community. All activities relate to mental health support/rehabilitation in the community. Program components may include:

- Daily living skills instruction
- Protection and advocacy
- Vocational support and referral
- Crisis intervention
- Apartment maintenance
- Education about community resources
- Development of natural supports
- Financial skills instruction

The Iowa Plan is a contract between the state of Iowa and Merit Behavioral Care (MBC).
The Iowa Plan gives MBC control of Medicaid dollars for the Community Support
Services (CSS) Program and the State Payment Program (SPP).

Adult Rehabilitative Treatment Option (ARO):

ARO is a federally funded Medicaid program. This program provides age appropriate skills training or supportive interventions that focus on the improvement of communication skills, appropriate interpersonal behaviors, and other skills necessary for independent living. Individuals served are adults who have a diagnosis of chronic mental illness. Specific services may include:

- Securing living accommodation
- Assistance with household tasks
- Assistance with personal hygiene
- Assistance with money management
- Assistance accessing community resources
- Development of natural supports
- Training and social skills development

The Home and Community Based Services Waiver Respite Program

Serves children and adults who have mental retardation.

- Respite is designed to provide short-term relief in the absence of the family or guardian.
- Respite is for individuals who are living at home with their families or guardians.
- Respite may be provided in the family's home, the provider's home, or in a community setting.
- Respite may vary in length from 1 hour to 336 hours (2 weeks) per month and 419 hours per year.

Respite care services are a critical component for families that include a member with mental retardation. In some cases, without respite, out of home placement is a high risk. Respite services can offer families the support that will enable them to stay together, therefore reducing premature residential placement or institutionalization. Respite care increases quality time and assists families to function in a less restrictive, normalized manner.

The Home and Community Based Services Waiver Program

Serves children and adults under the following waivers: Mental Retardation Waiver, Brain Injury Waiver, Elderly Waiver, Ill/Handicap Waiver, AIDS/HIV Waiver Services include:

- Assistance in meeting daily living needs
- Individual instruction in a variety of areas
- Instruction in living independently
- Home and vehicle modification assistance
- Respite

The Supported Aging Services Program:

Serves individuals of any age. This program is designed to assist individuals in maintaining as much independence as possible in a variety of living situations. Services include, but are not limited to:

- Shopping
- Laundry
- Transportation to appointments
- Bathing/Personal Care
- Light Cleaning
- Cooking
- General transportation
- Rec/leisure/community activities
- Assistance in money management