Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule – Information Page

Click here to register for HCBS Basic Training via Zoom – Basic HCBS training for CVRC staff and vendors. This training provides the foundational knowledge of HCBS and how it impacts the individuals we serve.

 Click here to register for HCBS Advanced Training via Zoom –  This training will build on foundational knowledge and cover topics such as HCBS modifications. This course is intended for CVRC staff and the vendor community.

What is HCBS?

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) was a result of a 1999 United States Supreme Court Case that found “any unjustified institutionalization of disabled individuals by a state agency” was a form of discrimination under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court ruled that individuals with disabilities must have access to community-based services and do not have institutional characteristics.

This had implications for Medicaid since they are the nation’s largest provider of long-term services and supports. This led the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services to create the 2014 HCBS Settings Rule that required that states were only able to use federal Medicaid funding to pay for community-based services and do not have institutional characteristics.

The State of California decided that not only those who use federal funding for services must be HCBS Compliant, but also those who received state funding for services. All agencies that use state or federal funding must be HCBS compliant by March 17, 2023.

HCBS Settings are defined as places where people live and receive services. The HCBS settings requirement focuses on the individual’s experience and the quality of services using the person-centered framework to which the individual plays an active role in their day-to-day activities and development of their overall plan of care.

How does this apply to me?

Individual. If you receive services from Central Valley Regional Center, it means that you should have access to your community, access to the benefits of living in your community, and have options over your services and who provides them. It also means that you should be able to lead the creation of your schedule and activities.

Click here to access HCBS Resources for Parents and Families.  

Vendor. If you are a vendor that provides services, it means that you may need to adjust your program or facility to meet HCBS federal requirements. If you are a service provider who provides services to multiple individuals in the same location, these services must not isolate individuals from the community. Policies and program designs may also need to be changed to meet HCBS guidelines.

If you are unclear of your current HCBS compliance or have additional questions regarding HCBS compliance, you can reach out to HCBS Coordinator, Anthony Ash at aash@cvrcold.betaplanets.com for support. HCBS Compliance Funding is available annually.  Please see our HCBS Compliance Grant Funding page for more information.

Click here for HCBS Provider Resources.

What does compliance mean?

Being HCBS compliant means that you are following the HCBS federal requirements that apply to your setting.  HCBS compliance also means that after March 2023, you are eligible to continue to receive state or federal funding for your services.  Ultimately, being HCBS compliant means that:

• You are providing the individuals you serve with maximizing opportunity and choice.
• You are promoting community integration by making sure individuals have full access to the community.
• Making sure individuals have the opportunity to work and spend time with other people in their community who do not have disabilities
• Ensuring individual preferences are supported and rights are protected
• Establishing person-centered service planning requirements, which includes a process-driven and directed by the individual to identify needed services and supports

How Central Valley Regional Center will support HCBS Compliance

We are here to support our vendors and providers in understanding HCBS and their HCBS compliance. We will do that by doing the following:

• Interpret requirements as they arise and formulate plans for implementation.
• Provide ongoing trainings in HCBS Regulations
• Maintain and frequently update the CVRC HCBS Webpage
• Provide feedback for vendors regarding their HCBS compliance
• Provide opportunities to identify barriers and formulate solutions
• Promote Person-Centered Planning

You can use these tools to assess your program:

• Compliance Evaluation
• STP On-Site Assessment Tool – Residential
• STP On-Site Assessment Tool – Non-Residential
• STP Provider Self-Survey Tool – Residential
• STP Provider Self-Survey Tool – Non-Residential