Services to enable you to stay at home or return home if currently living in a nursing home facility that cannot be acquired by another means.

Eligibility:

1. Be authorized to receive NYS fee-for-service Medicaid.
2. Need at least one waiver service to stay at home or return home from the Nursing Home.
3. Be able to live safely with the help of the waiver and available community resources.
4. For individuals between 18-64 years, you must have a physically disabling condition.
5. Those over 65 years need at least one waiver service; proof of disability not required.
6. Be nursing home level of care supported by the UAS assessment.

All Services are paid for by Medicaid if Waiver is authorized.

Service Coordination

• A manager of your services.
• Personal care aides that help you live in your home by helping with personal care and reminders. This service has additional eligibility requirements.
• A goal-oriented trainer who helps you develop skills to be more independent.  ILST is not intended to be a long-term support.
• Changes in your home to help you be more independent such as installing ramps or modifying bathrooms.
• Equipment to help a person live at home and be more independent such as special cooking equipment.
• A counselor to help you deal with the problems that brought you to the program.
• Support from someone who is also dealing with problems that make it difficult to live independently.
• A monthly visit by a nurse to help you stay well.
• Home delivered meals, currently Erie County Only.
• A therapist who works with you to change things that you do that cause you and others problems.
• Funds to help you set up a home with essentials after being in a Nursing Home and before entry to NHTD waiver.
• Workers who help take care of you if family or caregivers must leave for short periods of time.
• Home and Community Support Services
• Independent Living Skills Training
• Environmental Modifications
• Assistive Technology
• Community Integration Counseling
• Peer Mentoring
• Wellness Counseling
• Congregate and Home Delivered Meals
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
• Community Transition Services
• Respite Services

The process of application to the NHTD Waiver program in the Buffalo Region Counties starts with the NHTD Referral Form. This can be submitted by the person wanting to go on the program or anyone else. You can fill the NHTD referral form found at this link NHTD Referral Form or call Headway and a staff member can take the referral.

The form needs to be either faxed to Headway (716) 817-2530) or US Mail to Headway. More information regarding the reason for the referral, details of the debilitating injury, if in the age range of 18 to 64 and current services for all referrals.  All the current helpful information you can put on the referral the better. Names and phone numbers of individuals who support the referral are very helpful.

Headway will review the referral form and check that there is active Medicaid for the person referred. Headway will contact the referred, ensuring that they want the referral to go through. Basic eligibility criteria will be reviewed with the person such as age, diagnosis, and Medicaid.

Headway staff will send by mail initial release forms, an introduction letter and a list of helpful information requested to process the referral.

If the referred wants to continue the process, they will be contacted within ten business days by a Headway Nurse Evaluator or RRDS to schedule an interview. Interviews are conducted through telehealth unless there are special circumstances. Instructions on how to access telehealth will be discussed.

After the interview the Nurse Evaluator or RRDS will present the case at the weekly Headway Program Case Conference to determine if the referral can go ahead to application, or more information is needed for a determination. The person who conducted the interview will contact the referred or their designate to discuss the results, and the next step to the process. Applicants are mailed a list of approved Service Coordinator agencies or independents to contract with to develop a service plan. It is up to the applicant to contact these agencies and contract with them to develop a service plan.

The applicant becomes a participant on the NHTD waiver when their service plan is approved by Headway and a notice is sent to the county with a start date of services.

The Service Coordinator will guide you through the rest of the process.

Other Service Coordinator responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Being the main contact for the participant.
• Revising/reviewing the Service Plan on an annual basis
• Evaluating the services being provided and run a monthly clinical team meeting with the participant and all the providers.
• Have a monthly face to face meeting with the participant regarding their waiver services.
• Reviewing the outcomes of the Service Plan with the participant
• Maintaining records
• Ensuring the desirability and appropriateness of community placement

If, for any reason, the participant is concerned about the work of the Service Coordinator, or wishes to change Service Coordinator, s/he may call the RRDS Office 716-408-3120 for assistance.

Becoming a Waiver Participant

Contact RRDS and complete referral form link below:

• Meet with RRDS for Intake
• Select Service Coordinator
• Participant is primary in Service Plan development
• Select Waiver Providers
• Review of Application Packet by RRDS (including ISP)
• Receive Notice of Decision
• Begin Services (as authorized)

NHTD Referral Form

Once you have completed the referral form, please fax it to Headway of WNY, Inc. at 716-817-2530.

If you prefer, scan and email the form to NHTDWaiver@headwayofwny.org 

Individuals who have appointments scheduled by phone with Headway/Headway Waiver Programs can access video or auditory conferencing by simply CLICKING HERE.

This connection will allow you to enter a virtual waiting room where you will be called into a virtual meeting with a staff member of Headway. Please be patient during this process.

Please note: If you are using an Apple Device (IPAD, Smart Phone or Apple Computer) you will need to use Safari 11 or greater. If you have Android or a Microsoft computer, your default browser must be Chrome or Firefox in order to make the connection. If your default browser is not set up as one of these, you will need to paste the link https://doxy.me/supportheadway in an acceptable browser (as noted above).

These meetings are to provide communication for TBI/NHTD intake, as well as Headway support groups and other related functions.

If you are having difficulty with this link, please call 716-408-3120, during regular business hours.

Please read the Message from the Director for more information during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Individuals who have appointments scheduled by phone with Headway/Headway Waiver Programs can access video or auditory conferencing by simply CLICKING HERE.

This connection will allow you to enter a virtual waiting room where you will be called into a virtual meeting with a staff member of Headway. Please be patient during this process.

Please note: If you are using an Apple Device (IPAD, Smart Phone or Apple Computer) you will need to use Safari 11 or greater. If you have Android or a Microsoft computer, your default browser must be Chrome or Firefox in order to make the connection. If your default browser is not set up as one of these, you will need to paste the link https://doxy.me/headway2 in an acceptable browser (as noted above).

These meetings are to provide communication for TBI/NHTD intake, as well as Headway support groups and other related functions.

If you are having difficulty with this link, please call 716-408-3120, during regular business hours.

Please read the Message from the Director for more information during this Covid-19 pandemic.

If your agency does not currently provide NHTD Waiver Services and would like to find out about becoming a provider, please click here to review all the New York State requirements.

Once you have reviewed this information and you are still interested, you may contact Ronald Fernandez, RRDS at 716-408-3120, who will help you with the rest of the process.

RRDC at Headway reviews all submitted forms and Policy and Procedures.

Final review by RRDC at Headway with submission to Department of Health (DOH).

Final determination is made by DOH.