Keystone Human Services

Resources

Resources for Families Interested in Mental Retardation Services

This is a remarkable time for people with mental retardation and their families. It is a time when you, as a family member, need to know as much as possible about what services are available, who can provide those services and how those services are funded.  More and more community services are becoming entitlements, services to which people have a right. Self Determination, choice and individualized funding give individuals using services and their families more control over their services than ever before. The Pennsylvania Legislature has funded an extensive Waiting List Program for people with mental retardation living at home with their families.

General Information about Pennsylvania's Services for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities:

  • The foundation for these services is The Pennsylvania Mental Health and Mental Retardation Act of 1966. This Act provides the statutory basis for the development of community-based services for Pennsylvania Citizens with mental retardation.
  • Pennsylvania has a county based mental retardation system that is responsible for providing the services and supports to people with mental retardation. Each county contracts with private agencies to providers a wide and comprehensive array of community services. The Governor and Legislature in Pennsylvania provides in excess of 1.6 billion dollars annually for services to people with mental retardation.
  • The majority of community based mental retardation services are funded with Federal Medicaid Waiver dollars. Most children and adults are eligible for funding of services under the Medicaid Waiver program regardless of their families financial status.
  • As a result of the American's With Disabilities Act and the Olmstead Court Decision the Medicaid Waiver Services are becoming entitlements or services to which a person with a disability has a right to.
  • The Pennsylvania Legislature has approved funding of approximately $170,000,000 in new services for people with mental retardation who are living at home with family members. This is called the Pennsylvania Waiting List Initiative.
  • In Pennsylvania, community residential options include group homes, single apartments with a roommate, or a family living setting. In addition, people can be provided extensive supports in their home, whether that be their family home or their own home. These services and supports are also available to families caring for a child or adult sibling with mental retardation. Their are wonderful options now available to tailor services to a families preference. Examples include retaining ownership of a home used by a family member or placing the home that will be used by their loved one in the Keystone Master Trust.
  • In addition to residential supports, services that are available include case management, mobility training, respite care, in home services, assistance in obtaining and maintaining employment, and day activities. Most of these services are available for funding under the Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver Program, which requires that anyone enrolled into the Waiver have all of their needs met. Day services, such as supported employment and recreation, are also available to people who live in residential settings or at home.
  • Pennsylvania has begun a System Transformation Initiative that uses the Principles of Self Determination, Choice and Individualized Funding for people with mental retardation. Individuals and their families have an unprecedented array of service options, individualization, flexibility, control of funding and selection of agencies that will provide services to their loved one.

Information about Keystone's Services

Keystone provides comprehensive services to people with mental retardation in 25 Pennsylvania Counties. We have organized this page as a resource for families who have an interest in mental retardation services within Pennsylvania. Each of the links below offer additional information on Keystone and mental retardation services in general. If you would like more information or would like to talk to someone about the many options that are available, please call one of our offices in your area. For office location, phone numbers and contact information click on the " How can we help" link below.

Links to additional areas of interest:

Dancing Thru The Decades

This page last updated on:
October 5, 2007