Intensive home and community based services to eligible children within the state of Massachusetts
What is the Autism Waiver Program?
Officially called the Children's Autism Home and Community Based Services Waiver Program, the autism waiver program provides intensive home and community based services to eligible children within the state of Massachusetts.
The program is participant directed, meaning that within the parameters of the program, families have the ability to determine which services they deem most helpful to their child. As a team, the family, broker supervisor, support brokers, and clinical managers determine the strengths and needs of the child, and then develop goals to meet those needs.
The main service of the Waiver Program is Expanded Habilitation; Education. This is the direct day-to-day in-home service that the child receives.
Other services available are Community Integration, Respite, Home Safety Modifications, Goods and Services (items, materials, memberships, etc.) Assistive Tech and Adaptive Equipment purchases, Vehicle Modifications, and Homemaking.
Families are able to choose from a master list of Credentialed Providers, or utilize someone they already have experience with, provided they meet the qualifications.
Please note, this program is funded by the Autism Division. Community Autism Resources is contracted by the Autism Division to coordinate waiver services for eligible families.
Open Enrollment Period
DDS Autism Waiver Service Program (AWP) Open Interest Period 2024
The Autism Division of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) administers the Children’s Autism Waiver Program (AWP) which provides one-to-one interventions to help children with autism who exhibit severe behavioral, social and communication challenges through a service called Expanded Habilitation, Education (intensive in-home services and supports). This service occurs in the child’s home or other natural settings under the supervision of trained clinical staff and is available for a total of three years. AWP also provides related support services such as community integration activities and respite. At the conclusion of the three years of intensive services, a child may access supplemental services that meet the child’s needs and help with the transition out of the intensive AWP until the child’s 10th birthday.
The 2024 Children’s Autism Waiver Open Request Period information and application forms will be available in September 2024. The 2024 open request period runs from October 18 through November 1, 2024. Applications will be accepted during this period only.
Attached are Family Message for Open Request and the Application in English. These forms are also available in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, European Portuguese, French, Haitian Creole, Nepali, Somali, Spanish, Tradition Chinese, Turkish and Vietnamese.
To learn more here about the waiver and get forms in different languages, please click here
Support Brokers
Please note that support brokers are on the road often, but we will try to return your phone calls as soon as possible.
Sherry Amaral-Lopez, Autism Waiver Broker Supervisor
Ext 11 | sherryamaral@community-autism-resources.com
Kim Souza, Autism Waiver Broker
ksouza@community-autism-resources.com
Kelly Couite, Autism Waiver Broker
KCouite@community-autism-resources.com
Josh Wilkinson, Autism Waiver Broker
JWilkinson@community-autism-resources.com
Manuela Senay, Autism Waiver Broker
MSenay@community-autism-resources.com