In Montana, people with disabilities and older adults who need assistance to continue living at home and in the community are often able to get help through Medicaid’s Personal Assistance Services program.

This supportive care assists people with such activities such bathing, eating and administering medication.

Starting in July 2014, a new program called Community First Choice (CFC) will begin to be implemented for individuals who need in-home support services and meet nursing home level of care guidelines. The CFC program contains all of the services available through the traditional Personal Assistance Services program plus some new additional services not before available through the state plan.

These New Services Include:

• Yard hazard removal
• Correspondence assistance
• Community integration

These new services will mean qualified individuals will be able to have pathways cleared of snow and debris, receive help sending mail and other correspondence-related activities, and receive assistance participating in recreational and other community activities.

Other new support services will allow consumers to receive training to better do things independently. They can receive training to manage their own personal care assistants. They may also receive personal emergency response systems (PERS) if needed.