Sandhills Center
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Innovations Waiver

Innovations Waiver

The North Carolina Innovations Waiver is a resource for funding services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are at risk for institutional care in an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IDD). NC Innovations provides an array of community-based services and supports. These are alternatives to institutional care that promote choice, control and community integration. Individuals on NC Innovations Waivers must meet eligibility criteria.  

NC INNOVATIONS SEEKS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS TO LIVE THE LIFE THEY CHOOSE BY: 

SUPPORTS INTENSITY SCALE INFORMATION

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires people to get an assessment to be on a Medicaid waiver. NC Medicaid uses the Supports Intensity Scale-Adult Version (SIS-A) assessment for people 16 years of age and older. The SIS-A measures the supports people need to be successful in their lives. Since 2016, each person who has signed up to get Innovation Waiver services has taken a Supports Intensity Scale Assessment. In February 2022, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) adjusted the SIS-A to include modern language and to get more information from the person taking the assessment.

THE REGISTRY OF UNMET NEEDS

Sandhills Center maintains a waiting list called the “Registry of Unmet Needs.” It is for people who want to get NC Innovations Waiver services. There is a waiting list due to limited funding and available waiver slots. To learn more about the list and how people can get on it, visit our Registry of Unmet Needs page.

ELECTRONIC VISIT VERIFICATION

IMPORTANT NC INNOVATIONS WAIVER INFORMATION