Throughout the USA and around the world, support funding is being dramatically reduced for persons with disabilities and trends are favoring independent living rather than congregate (group) living. In response, effective September 2016, the Commonwealth of Virginia revised its Medicaid Waiver system with significant changes that have profound implications.
Group Homes are more difficult and costly than ever to obtain and maintain. And, we've heard from families that want new options and opportunities. The needs of our core friends and core members (to be) are changing. We have a new reality, a reality that called L'Arche Metro Richmond to rethink the initially planned Group Home model. And, L'Arche USA encouraged us to do so.
While Group Homes remain a part of our draft model, our Board is proposing an array of L'Arche supports to phase in over a period of time.
This challenge of change presents complexity and opportunity. As an emerging L'Arche community, we have the flexibility to embrace new methods, regulations, and trends from the start while remaining faithful to the values and practices of L'Arche.
The homes and supports in our draft Community Model acknowledge the changes and fund reductions and at the same time enhance our impact with new ways to "be L'Arche" in the USA.
We're excited to offer a model that meets the requirements of our new reality and honors the values of L'Arche. We have the potential to become a model and a benchmark for other emerging L'Arche communities and perhaps to existing communities that may need to adjust.
After much research and work, our Board of Directors approved our new Community Model draft on June 15. We await review and approval from L'Arche USA. We look forward to sharing the full plan. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers in this endeavor.
L'Arche Metro Richmond
Revised Community Model Draft
L'Arche Metro Richmond
06/26/2017 10:04AM
This challenge of change presents complexity and opportunity. As an emerging L'Arche community, we have the flexibility to embrace new methods, regulations, and trends from the start while remaining faithful to the values and practices of L'Arche.
The homes and supports in our draft Community Model acknowledge the changes and fund reductions and at the same time enhance our impact with new ways to "be L'Arche" in the USA.
We're excited to offer a model that meets the requirements of our new reality and honors the values of L'Arche. We have the potential to become a model and a benchmark for other emerging L'Arche communities and perhaps to existing communities that may need to adjust.
After much research and work, our Board of Directors approved our new Community Model draft on June 15. We await review and approval from L'Arche USA. We look forward to sharing the full plan. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers in this endeavor.