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Host Homes

Mentors open their homes for support

Services for People with Disabilities

Every Iowan deserves the independence they need to thrive. Host Homes is an innovative way LSI is serving adults with disabilities. Through this program, an individual moves from Supported Community Living into a private family home with a carefully selected mentor. This program is built entirely around an individual’s goals and interests, and LSI’s extensive matching process ensures the mentor and mentee are a great fit. 

Benefits

Eligibility

Get Started

Contact: Crystal Larson
Statewide Manager of Host Home Services
515.238.3085 | HostHome@LSIowa.org

WHY LSI 

Where we Serve

Northwest Iowa - April Porter
Central/Southwest Iowa - Ezra Allen
Eastern Iowa - Amber Epping
Southeast Iowa - Ezra Allen

Northwestern Iowa

April Porter

515-400-7718

april.porter@lsiowa.org

Central/Southwest Iowa

Ezra Allen

515-400-7578

ezra.allen@lsiowa.org

Southeast Iowa

Ezra Allen

515-400-7578

ezra.allen@lsiowa.org

Eastern Iowa

Amber Epping

515-371-3079

amber.epping@lsiowa.org

Refer

Clients

Already on a waiver LSI accepts? 

Contact your case manager or care provider to discuss LSI!

Are you new to the process?

Contact your local Department of Human Services office to get started. They can help you find a case manager or care coordinator, apply for a waiver, and refer you to LSI for services.

 

Referral Sources

Refer today at HostHome@LSIowa.org

Download and complete this form and provide a social history, current plan, and assessment with your referral.

Email your completed form to HostHome@LSIowa.org! Upon receipt of your referral, an LSI supervisor will contact you with more information about next steps.

Mentor FAQs

No, you would be an independent contracted provider.

Yes. You would be paid a monthly stipend for hosting/mentoring an adult with disabilities or mental illness in your home. This stipend is based on a percentage of the daily rate that we receive from the state. This rate can fluctuate based on the approved rate from the state based on the individual’s needed level of care/assessments and eligibility, as well as the number of days that the individual is in your care. Pay is based on your documentation, which will be reviewed to ensure that the information contained in each note does result in a billable day. This role does not guarantee steady income, or a guarantee that an individual will be placed in your home for a specific amount of time.  LSI does not withhold federal or state income taxes due to Independent Providers (mentors) being independent contracted providers. Paying any taxes owed is the responsibility of the Independent Provider. LSI recommends that Independent Providers (mentors) consult with an accountant.

Each Independent Provider (mentor) must complete an in-depth screening process that includes background checks of the potential provider as well as all others who reside in the home who are over the age of 18 years old, a home safety check, and reference checks. Our extensive application process consists of 5 parts, including interviews with multiple individuals on our host home team as well as deadlines for turning in documentation. You will be informed of next steps and deadlines as you continue through this process. 

You must be 21 years of age, have a private bedroom available for the person you will be sharing your home with, the ability to pass the screening process, flexibility and creativity, and a passion for making a difference in the world. You will also need to have access to and know how to operate a computer, printer, and scanner for the application process as well as the day-to-day service provision for your mentee.

We have several training courses that are standard (mandatory reporter, first aid, etc.) that must be completed before you can be matched with a mentee in your home. There may be additional training requirements based on the needs of the individual. Each year you will be required to keep your trainingup to date before renewing your contract. You will be required to pay a fee to access our online training platform, which will be due annually.

As an independent provider, you will need to maintain adequate motor vehicle insurance and commercial general liability insurance coverage meeting the following minimum requirements.
 
o Valid motor vehicle insurance showing provider as driver of vehicle with the following minimum requirements of Bodily Injury $50,000/person, $100,000/incident and Property Damage $50,000.
 
o General Commercial Liability Insurance naming LSI as additional insured in an amount no less than $1,000,000. Proof of general commercial liability insurance will be requested as part of the contracting process.
 
LSI recommends that you work with your insurance broker to determine the best option for you to meet these coverage requirements

 As an independent provider, you are required to provide the supports and services specified in the individual’s plan, in the amount, duration, and scope outlined. This is a 24-hour support model, meaning someone must always be available to meet the individual’s needs. All employment and contracted services for yourself, and others living in your home, will be reviewed by LSI for potential conflicts of interest. Outside employment may be allowed, as long as this does not create a conflict of interest or interfere with your ability to provide the required care. If you do have other employment, you will need to disclose this to LSI to be evaluated for any potential conflicts of interest.

Individuals are responsible for their room and board costs and personal needs.  As an Independent provider, you will enter into a leasing agreement that will include any room and board costs. The agreement must detail the fees, charges and expenses that the individual will be responsible for paying and when the payment is due. Individuals must only be charged their fair share of expenses in the home. Some items that are needed for an individual’s care may need to be purchased by the Independent Provider and are considered a cost of doing business as an independent contractor.

Yes. Make sure you list their ages on the autobiography form.

Yes. Make sure we know what kind of pets and how many you have. And, of course, it is possible that this can affect the possible options for mentees placed into your home. Service animals are not considered pets and are required to be allowed to move in with the individual you are supporting by law. Emotional Support animals must be a reasonable request and approved by the landlord. Fair housing rights must be taken into consideration regarding emotional support animals.
Yes. LSI has 24-hour support for emergency situations. You will be provided with the emergency contact information at the time of placement.
 A Host Home is a community-based family home setting whose owner or renter provides services to no more than two individuals who reside with the owner or renter in their primary residence. All individuals and teams must agree to living together in order to support two individuals, and LSI will consider each individual’s needs during the matching process.
Yes. This situation is known as becoming a deemed provider. A deemed provider is an individual identified by the individual being supported and their care team as someone who is interested and able to provide host home services. This could be a natural support, former staff member, or a relative of the individual needing support. If you are related to the individual being supported or have any legal relationship with them, the Host Homes team will review this relationship to ensure it is allowed under internal policies as well as state regulations.

Deemed provider options still require both the individual wanting to provide care and the individual being supported to complete the separate referral and application processes before being considered a match.

We have a multi-step interview process, which takes an average of 6 to 8 weeks. This timeframe may be less or longer based on responsiveness of completing required documentation/trainings and availability of you and the host homes team. Once you are considered an available provider, you will receive information from LSI when there are individuals available that may be a good fit in your home. There may not be an immediate match available, and LSI will reach out periodically to ensure that there are no changes in your home and your continued interest in this position. Our program is based on a one-on one match, with additional steps regarding meeting and spending time with an individual prior to them moving into your home. There is not a set timeframe for this, as we do want to ensure that everyone involved has time to make an informed decision while getting to know the individuals that they will be living with. The matching process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on preferences and availability.

Mentee FAQs

While most individuals in Daily have a dedicated team of LSI staff ready to support them every day, Host Homes mentees receive one-on-one care from the same mentor every day. Instead of living in the community, often with roommates, mentees live in the mentor’s private family home.

Host Homes mentees get to set their own goals for what they want to achieve! If you want to continue working on the goals you set while in Daily, you and your mentor can focus on those, or set new ones. If at any point you decide to focus on a new goal, just let your mentor or LSI team know.

LSI takes time to match you with a mentor that is the perfect fit for you. Before moving in with a mentor, you have several chances to meet a potential mentor and get to know them, ask questions, and visit their home to make sure it meets your needs.

A member of the LSI Host Homes team will be in the home at least monthly. The purpose of this is to check in and see how things are going, as well as address any concerns that may have come up. Members of the LSI Host Homes team will also be in attendance at any IDT meetings that come up.

If you feel that your Host Homes experience is not meeting your needs, please contact your LSI team. We’ll work to find a new home and mentor, or a new program that will be a better fit.

Still have questions? Contact us!

 

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Join Our Team! Become a Host Homes Mentor

*Please note that applications for the Central Iowa region are current not being accepted.

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