New to Continuum of Colorado and wondering what our terminology means?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions below:
What is I/DD?
I/DD stands for an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability. An intellectual disability is defined as: a disability that affects the acquisition of knowledge and skills, in particular any various neurodevelopmental conditions affecting intellectual processes, educational attainment, and the acquisition of skills needed for independent living and social functioning. Developmental Disabilities are defined as: a diverse group of chronic conditions, comprising mental or physical impairments that arise before adulthood.
We provide services to children and adults with an I/DD diagnosis. Services are typically paid for through one of the I/DD Medicaid Waivers (CES, CHRP, SLS, or DD). See the next FAQ for more information on Medicaid Waivers.
What is a Provider Agency (formally known as a PASA)?
A Provider Agency provides direct community-based services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are approved for Medicaid waiver services. Continuum of Colorado is a Provider Agency.
What is a Medicaid Waiver?
A Home and Community-Base Services (HCBS) Waiver is an extra set of Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) benefits that people could qualify for in certain areas. They include Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) Waiver, Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver, Children’s Home and Community-Based Services (CHCBS) Waiver, Supported Living Services (SLS) Waiver, Children’s Extensive Support (CES) Waiver, Community Mental Health Supports (CMHS) Waiver, Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP) Waiver, Complementary and Integrative Health Waiver (CIH), Brain Injury Waiver (BI), Children with Life Limiting Illness Waiver (CLLI).
Continuum of Colorado serves children on the CES waiver (occasionally the CHRP waiver) and adults on the SLS and DD waivers. We currently do not offer services for anyone on the EBD, CHCBS, or CMHS waivers. We do offer private pay options, as well, for certain services.
What is a SIS Level?
The Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) is an assessment tool developed by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) that evaluates practical support requirements for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It helps to determine the type and amount of support a person needs in various areas of life. A lower SIS level indicates greater independence, whereas a higher SIS level indicates need for greater support. Someone that requires extensive medical or behavioral support to complete activities of daily living will typically have a higher SIS level. At some point in the future the SIS will be replaced with the Person-Centered Budget Algorithm. We will update our information as these timeframes are shared.
What is a CMA?
Case Management Agencies (CMA) assist individuals and families with accessing necessary services and supports, typically through Medicaid Waivers, to meet their needs. With the recent Case Management redesign, all CCBs have transitioned to either become CMAs or Provider Agencies.
If you or the person you are seeking services for are not currently on one of the Medicaid Waivers, start by contacting your local CMA. Your local CMA will help you apply for applicable Medicaid Waivers and then help you find agencies like Continuum of Colorado to provide the desired services. Click here for more information and to locate your local CMA.
How do I sign up for services?
If you are already working with a CMA they will be able to send out requests for services to agencies in your area. If you are interested in working directly with Continuum of Colorado to receive your services, please fill out our Contact Us Form and we will be happy to walk you through the process.
Common Acronyms
What do these acronyms mean? It is difficult enough trying to navigate services, let alone all the acronyms we use! Hopefully, this list of acronyms will help you navigate some of the I/DD field jargon.