The Bost Waiver Program currently serves over 325 children & adults with developmental disabilities.

The nation’s Medicaid Waiver Program was developed to provide the in-home and in-community support needed by persons who are at risk of institutionalization.

The CES (Community Employment Services) Waiver is a state and federally funded program for individuals with developmental disabilities with an age onset before the age of 22.

The Waiver is an alternative to institutionalization. An individual in the CES Waiver lives as independently as possible in the community (the least restrictive setting) with Waiver services and other supports-instead of living in an institution (a restrictive setting).

Statewide, there are more than 4,000 people receiving waiver services. Bost is one of the largest providers of CES Medicaid Waiver services in Arkansas. Applications are made through the Arkansas Department of Human Services. www.arkansas.gov. Unfortunately, State funding for this program is limited which has resulted in a waiting list for the program.

The Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program is authorized in §1915(c) of the Social Security Act. The program permits a State to furnish an array of home and community-based services that assist Medicaid beneficiaries to live in the community and avoid institutionalization. The State has broad discretion to design its waiver program to address the needs of the waiver’s target population. Waiver services complement and/or supplement the services that are available to participants through the Medicaid State plan and other federal, state and local public programs as well as the supports that families and communities provide.

The Provider-led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) system is a model of organized care created by Act 775 of 2017. Each PASSE is made up of governing providers who have entered into partnership with an experienced organization that performs administrative functions. The PASSE system is a Medicaid-funded program. It does not change a person’s eligibility for Medicaid, but it will change the way services are paid for by Medicaid for a specific group of beneficiaries. Each PASSE acts a lot like an insurance group that providers join to be in network, and the PASSE pays for the healthcare services for its members. Bost is currently contracted to provide services with all PASSEs.

The following services are available through the Waiver program:

Supported Living Services

Provides direct care staff to work in the individual’s home and community on goals and objectives desired by the individual that were identified in the PCSP (Person Centered Service Plan). Supported Living helps individuals to develop and keep and/or improved the self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to successfully live and work in their community. This is a customizable service directed to meet the needs of the individual and their family.

Non-Medical Transportation

Enables individuals to gain access to Waiver and other community services, activities and resources activities and resources planned for must be identified and specified in the plan of care.

Consultation

Assists individuals, parents and/or guardians and/or responsible individuals, community living services providers and alternative living setting providers in carrying out an individual’s service plan.

Supplemental Supports

Assists an individual to live the community and participate in leisure, recreational, social, and educational activities that make a positive difference in their life.

Community Transition Services

One time set-up expenses for individuals who are transitioning from an institutional or another provider- operated living arrangement into a living arrangement in a private residence where the person is directly responsible for his or her own living expense.

Administration & Locations

Fort Smith Waiver Administration is located in the Elvin and Sally Frick Bost Community Center at 5812 Remington Circle. This facility, opened in October 2005 and was expanded in August 2008, to more fully serve individuals who choose Bost.

We have Waiver offices in Fort Smith, Lowell, Harrison, Booneville, and Russellville.  Bost’s Waiver Facilities include the following:

• Van Buren Waiver Facility

The Van Buren Facility is located at 819 North 28^thSt, Van Buren, AR 72956. This facility is home to 10 women and is designed to assisted individuals with disabilities within a community setting that has constant supervision and oversight.

• Barling Waiver Facility

The Barling Facility is located at 401 Chateau, Barling, AR 72923.  This facility is an 8 bed facility designed to assisted individuals with disabilities within a community setting that has constant supervision and oversight.

• Fort Smith Waiver Facility

The Fort Smith Waiver Facility is located at 1410 Jacobs St, Fort Smith, AR 72903. This facility is home to 10 men and is designed to assisted individuals with disabilities within a community setting that has constant supervision and oversight.

• Lifebridge Apartments

The Life Bridge Facilities are located at 7807 & 7809 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, AR 72905.  These facilities house men and women and are designed to assist individuals with disabilities in a duplex setting by providing personalized care.

• Magic Circle Apartments

The Magic Circle Apartments are located at 914 South 25th St., Fort Smith, AR 7290. This facility houses men and women and is designed to assisted individuals with disabilities in an apartment setting by providing personalized care.

• Rogers Apartments

The Rogers Facilities are located at 4500 West Oak Street, Rogers, AR 72745. These facilities house men and women and are designed to assist individuals with disabilities in a duplex setting by providing personalized care.

Services to individuals within these Waiver facilities are provided care seven days a week, 24 hours a day with staff on continuous duty.

For more information about the Medicaid Waiver Program contact:

Tammy Predmore, Fort Smith Waiver Director
479-478-5662
Fax:  501-897-8314
trpredmore@bost.org

Jennifer Hinkle, Regional Waiver Director
479-280-8827
Fax:  501-897-8314
jhinkle@bost.org