Georgia Resources

Health Insurance & Medical Coverage (Georgia)

·        Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) / Georgia Medicaid — Low income + disability-related medical needs — Health insurance that helps pay for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions (if eligible) — https://medicaid.georgia.gov/

 

·        Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) / Georgia Medicaid — People with disabilities / long-term needs — Gateway to Medicaid waiver programs that pay for supports at home/in the community — https://medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/all-programs/waiver-programs Georgia Medicaid

 

·        Georgia Pathways to Coverage (DCH / Medicaid) — Low-income adults (program rules apply) — Limited Medicaid-style coverage if you meet Pathways requirements — https://medicaid.georgia.gov/georgia-pathways

 

·        PeachCare for Kids (Georgia Medicaid / DCH) — Children with medical needs (income-based) — Low-cost health coverage for kids (doctor, hospital, prescriptions) — https://medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/all-programs/peachcare-kids

 

Developmental Disabilities, Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy (Georgia DBHDD + Waivers)

·        Georgia DBHDD (Developmental Disabilities) — Intake & eligibility — Autism / intellectual disability / developmental disability — How to apply for developmental disability services — https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/dd-community-based-services Georgia DBHDD

 

·        Georgia.gov (state service portal) — Intellectual/developmental disabilities — Apply for NOW/COMP Medicaid waivers — https://georgia.gov/apply-new-option-waiver-program-now-and-comprehensive-support-waiver-program-comp Georgia.gov

 

·        Georgia DBHDD — Intellectual/developmental disabilities — How to apply for DD services (NOW/COMP + guidance) — https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-dbhdd/be-compassionate/how-do-i-apply-dd-services Georgia DBHDD

 

Family Support Services (explicitly includes autism + Down syndrome)

·        Georgia DBHDD — Family Support Services — Autism spectrum disorder — Helps broker disability-specific services/supports based on family needs (non-entitlement) — https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-compassionate/home-services/family-support-services Georgia DBHDD+1

 

·        Georgia DBHDD — Family Support Services — Down syndrome — Helps broker disability-specific supports and services based on needs — https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-compassionate/home-services/family-support-services Georgia DBHDD

 

·        Georgia DBHDD — Family Support Services — Cerebral palsy — Helps broker disability-specific supports and services based on needs — https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-compassionate/home-services/family-support-services Georgia DBHDD

 

·        Georgia DBHDD — Family Support Services — Intellectual disability / developmental disability — Connects families to supports to keep people living in the community — https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-compassionate/home-services/family-support-services Georgia DBHDD

 

NOW/COMP waiver (I/DD, including autism and Down syndrome when they meet I/DD criteria)

·        Georgia.gov — NOW Waiver — Intellectual/developmental disabilities (including autism where qualifying) — Home/community services so a person can live at home and participate in the community — https://georgia.gov/apply-new-option-waiver-program-now-and-comprehensive-support-waiver-program-comp Georgia.gov

 

·        Georgia.gov — COMP Waiver — Intellectual/developmental disabilities (including autism where qualifying) — More intensive home/community supports (often for higher needs, including residential supports) — https://georgia.gov/apply-new-option-waiver-program-now-and-comprehensive-support-waiver-program-comp Georgia.gov

 

·        Georgia DBHDD — Supported Employment (NOW/COMP participants) — I/DD (including autism where qualifying) — Job supports to help someone work and keep working (extended supports) — https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/supported-employment-services-waiver-participants-51122pdf/download Georgia DBHDD

 

Elderly & Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP / formerly CCSP) — in-home/community supports

·        Georgia.gov — EDWP (formerly CCSP) — Frail elderly + disabled adults — In-home and community services instead of nursing home — https://georgia.gov/apply-elderly-and-disabled-waiver-program Georgia.gov

 

·        Georgia DFCS Medicaid Policy (PAMMS) — EDWP policy — Elderly/disabled who meet nursing-facility criteria — Explains who can qualify and what the program is — https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/dfcs/medicaid/2131/ PAMMS

 

EDWP service types (split out so each is a “type of assistance”)

·        DCH / EDWP — Physical disability / functional impairment — Adult Day Health (daytime care + supervision in a center) — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Medical complexity — Adult Day Health: nursing services — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Disability with therapy needs — Adult Day Health: physical therapy — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Disability with therapy needs — Adult Day Health: occupational therapy — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Disability with therapy needs — Adult Day Health: speech therapy — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Mental health / social needs alongside disability — Adult Day Health: medical social services — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Disability / unsafe living alone — Alternative Living Services (care in another residence when you can’t stay independent at home) — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Disability needing supervision — Alternative Living Services: personal care and supervision — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — High fall risk / medical risk at home — Emergency Response Services (in-home device to call for help 24/7) — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Medical conditions requiring skilled care — Home-Delivered Services: skilled nursing visits at home — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Therapy needs after illness/injury — Home-Delivered Services: physical therapy at home — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Therapy needs after illness/injury — Home-Delivered Services: occupational therapy at home — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Communication/swallowing issues — Home-Delivered Services: speech therapy at home — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Complex health + family stress — Home-Delivered Services: medical social services — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Needs help with daily living — Home-Delivered Services: home health aide support — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Disability affecting daily living — Personal Support Services (help with hygiene, errands, light housekeeping, etc.) — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Disability affecting daily living — Consumer-Directed Personal Support Services (you hire/supervise your worker) — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        DCH / EDWP — Disability + caregiver needs — Structured Family Caregiver (support/education/oversight when family caregiver lives with the member) — https://www.georgiahealth.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EDWP-Information-Sheet-2025-3.pdf Georgia Health

 

·        Georgia.gov — EDWP — Disabled adult / caregiver burnout — Respite care for family caregivers (break from caregiving) — https://georgia.gov/apply-elderly-and-disabled-waiver-program Georgia.gov

 

Assistive Technology, Communication Devices, Accessibility Tools (Georgia)

·        Tools for Life (Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act Program; Georgia Tech/CIDI) — Any disability (all ages), including autism/ADHD supports like communication tools — Helps people learn about, try, and get assistive technology to live/learn/work more independently — https://gatfl.gatech.edu/ gatfl.gatech.edu

 

·        Tools for Life (CIDI page) — Mobility, sensory, communication, learning disabilities — Connects Georgians to assistive tech devices and services — https://cidi.gatech.edu/services/toolsforlife cidi.gatech.edu

 

Mental Health Crisis, Behavioral Health, and Substance Use (Georgia)

·        Georgia DBHDD — Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL) — Mental health crisis, substance use crisis, or developmental disability crisis — 24/7 crisis line that screens needs and connects you to services — https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/access-services-0 Georgia DBHDD

 

·        Georgia DBHDD — GCAL — Behavioral health crisis — 24/7 phone access to clinicians trained in crisis de-escalation and service linkage — https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/access-services-0 Georgia DBHDD

 

Children: Early Identification, Early Intervention, Special Health Care Needs

Developmental screening and referrals

·        Georgia Department of Public Health — Children 1st — Developmental concerns (including autism signs, speech delays, etc.) — Developmental screening and connection to services/resources for children through age 5 — https://dph.georgia.gov/children1st Georgia Department of Public Health

 

Early intervention (birth to 3)

·        Georgia DPH — Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) — Developmental delays / disabilities (birth–3), including early autism concerns — Early intervention evaluation and services for infants/toddlers and families — https://dph.georgia.gov/document/publication/bcw-program-brochure-eng-and-spa/download Georgia Department of Public Health

 

·        Georgia DPH — Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) — Developmental delay or diagnosed medical condition that risks delay — Program explains how evaluation leads to services and family support — https://dph.georgia.gov/document/publication/bcw-program-brochure-eng-and-spa/download Georgia Department of Public Health

 

Children with chronic medical conditions / special health care needs (birth–21)

·        Georgia Department of Public Health — Children’s Medical Services (CMS) — Chronic/disabling medical conditions (birth–21) — Care coordination and help getting timely quality health care and supports — https://dph.georgia.gov/CMS Georgia Department of Public Health

 

·        Georgia DFCS Medicaid Policy (PAMMS) — CMS — Chronic medical conditions (birth–21) — Policy describing CMS as care coordination + needed health services — https://pamms.dhs.ga.gov/dfcs/medicaid/2908/ PAMMS

 

Education-Based Disability Support (IEP/504/Special Education) + Family Navigators

·        Georgia Department of Education — Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership — Students with disabilities (including autism, ADHD, Down syndrome) — Parent mentors help families work with schools and connect to supports to improve student outcomes — https://www.gadoe.org/special-education/georgia-parent-mentor-partnership/ Georgia Department of Education

 

·        Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership (statewide network site) — Students with disabilities — Helps bridge home/school/community so kids with disabilities get appropriate supports — https://parentmentors.org/ Parent Mentors

 

Family-to-Family Support, Training, and Navigation (Georgia)

·        Parent to Parent of Georgia — Disabilities and special health care needs (birth–26), including autism/ADHD/Down syndrome — Emotional support, information, education, and leadership development for families — https://www.p2pga.org/ Parent to Parent of Georgia

 

Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (Georgia)

·        Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) — Disabilities (including autism and other developmental disabilities) — Helps eligible people prepare for, start, and keep a job — https://gvs.georgia.gov/ Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency

 

·        Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency — Georgia VR Program page — Disabilities — Explains VR services focused on competitive employment — https://www.geevra.com/georgia-vocational-rehabilitation-program/ geevra.com

 

·        Georgia Department of Labor — resources for job seekers with disabilities — Disabilities — Points to GVRA and other resources to support work — https://dol.georgia.gov/find-resources-job-seekers-disabilities Georgia Department of Labor

 

·        GVRA (special populations resources) — Autism spectrum disorders — Autism-focused employment and workplace support resources — https://gvs.georgia.gov/resources/special-populations Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency

 

Disability Rights, Legal Advocacy, Protection from Abuse/Neglect (Georgia)

·        Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) — Disabilities (including intellectual/developmental disabilities, autism, Down syndrome) — Protects and advances legal/civil/human rights; helps with discrimination, services access, abuse/neglect — https://thegao.org/ Georgia Advocacy Office

 

·        Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) — What We Do — Disabilities — Explains advocacy programs and referrals — https://thegao.org/what-we-do/ Georgia Advocacy Office

 

 

Georgia DBHDD — NOW & COMP Waivers (Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities)

Agency: Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)
Conditions served: Autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other qualifying developmental disabilities
Program type: Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
Who it’s for: Children and adults who meet I/DD eligibility and level-of-care criteria

 

Behavioral Supports & Challenging Behavior Services

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/behavioral-supports-consultation-services/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Functional behavior assessments and analysis

·        Development of Positive Behavior Support Plans

·        Behavioral interventions tied to ISP goals

·        Direct behavior and skill training

·        Family education and training in behavioral supports

 

 

Community Access Services

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/community-access/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Daily living skills training in community settings

·        Leisure and recreational skill development

·        Communication skill building in real-world environments

·        Mobility training and supported travel

·        Money management skill building

·        Volunteering participation supports

·        Civic and community group participation

·        General community integration (individual or group; flexible scheduling)

 

Community Guide (Self-Direction Support)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/community-guide-services/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Exploring and brokering community resources

·        Training on participant-direction responsibilities

·        Recruiting, hiring, training, and managing support workers

·        Employer skills training for self-direction

·        Budget development, record keeping, and fiscal oversight

·        Problem-solving and decision-making coaching

 

Community Living Support (In-Home Supports)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/community-living-support/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Social and leisure skill development at home

·        Adaptive skills for independent living

·        Personal care assistance (bathing, grooming, toileting)

·        Protective supervision for safety

·        Mobility and transfer training

·        Light housekeeping and laundry

·        Communication support (telephone use)

·        Medication management support (non-clinical)

·        Money management support

·        Basic first aid support

·        Arranging/accompanying access to community needs

 

Community Residential Alternative (Small Residential Settings)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/community-residential-alternative/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Small group residential living (typically 4 or fewer people)

·        Personal hygiene and grooming assistance

·        Toileting and mobility assistance

·        Household skills (laundry, bed-making, cleaning)

·        Yard care and basic home maintenance

·        Communication and relationship skill support

·        Leisure skill development

·        Health-related daily routine support

 

Environmental Adaptations (Home Modifications)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/environmental-adaptation/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Ramps and grab bars

·        Bathroom accessibility modifications

·        Doorway widening for mobility devices

·        Electrical or plumbing changes needed for medical equipment

 

Financial Support Services (Self-Directed Participants)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/financial-support-services-0/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Background checks and age verification for support workers

·        Payroll, tax withholding, workers’ compensation, and unemployment insurance

·        Disbursing participant-directed funds

 

Individual-Directed Goods & Services (NOW Waiver)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/individual-directed-goods-and-services/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Disability-related goods not otherwise covered by Medicaid

·        Items/services that improve community participation

·        Supports that reduce reliance on other Medicaid services

 

Natural Support Training

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/natural-support-training-services/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Training for family and natural supports

·        Instruction on using equipment in the ISP

·        Registration fees for disability-related training tied to ISP goals

 

Occupational Therapy (Adults 21+)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/occupational-therapy-services/download
Includes assistance for:

·        OT evaluations (physician ordered)

·        Functional skill development

·        Sensory integration interventions

·        Family education to support carryover of goals

 

Physical Therapy (Adults 21+)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/physical-therapy-services/download
Includes assistance for:

·        PT evaluations (physician ordered)

·        Therapeutic mobility procedures

·        Strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance training

·        Transfer training and equipment use education

 

Pre-Vocational Services

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/prevocational-services/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Work readiness skills

·        Attendance and schedule tolerance

·        Task completion and problem solving

·        Stamina, speed, accuracy, and attention skills

·        Workplace motor skills and safety

·        Social skills for employment settings

 

Respite Services

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/respite-services/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Planned and scheduled respite

·        Maintenance respite

·        Emergency and crisis respite

·        ADL assistance during respite

·        Medication assistance (per ISP)

·        Supported community participation during respite

 

Specialized Medical Equipment

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/specialized-medical-equipment/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Purchase or lease of approved assistive equipment

·        Devices that increase independence in daily living

·        Training and assessment for device use

·        Computers required to operate assistive technology

 

Specialized Medical Supplies

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/specialized-medical-supplies/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Adaptive clothing

·        Incontinence supplies

·        Infection control supplies

·        Supplies needed for approved devices

 

Speech & Language Services (Adults 21+)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/speech-and-language/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Speech/language/communication evaluations

·        Individual speech therapy

·        Speech-generating device support

·        Family education for communication goals

 

Employment Supports (Supported Employment)

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/support-coordination-0/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Job development and job creation

·        On-site job coaching

·        Workplace accommodations

·        Co-worker and natural support development

·        Ongoing supervision and training

·        Self-employment planning and support

 

Transportation Services

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/transportation/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Transportation to waiver and community services

·        Transportation to employment sites

·        Coordination with public/commercial transit

 

Vehicle Adaptations

URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/document/document/vehicle-adaptation/download
Includes assistance for:

·        Vehicle lifts and ramps

·        Interior vehicle modifications

·        Repair or replacement of existing adaptations

 

Georgia EDWP (Elderly & Disabled Waiver Program)

Agency: Georgia Department of Community Health / Division of Aging Services
Conditions served: Elderly (65+) and adults with disabilities meeting nursing-facility level of care
URL: https://georgia.gov/apply-elderly-and-disabled-waiver-program

Includes assistance for:

·        Adult day care and adult day health

·        Alternative living services

·        Personal care assistance

·        Respite care

·        Care coordination and service planning

·        Home and community-based supports to avoid institutionalization

 

Georgia Children’s Medical Services (CMS)

Agency: Georgia Department of Public Health
Conditions served: Children and young adults (birth–21) with chronic or disabling medical conditions
URL: https://dph.georgia.gov/CMS

Includes assistance for:

·        Care coordination

·        Specialty medical services

·        Durable medical equipment coordination

·        Therapy coordination (PT/OT/speech)

·        Nursing services

·        Support for conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, diabetes, cardiac defects, seizure disorders, cystic fibrosis, genetic conditions, and more

 

Georgia Autism Services Initiative (Adults)

Agency: Georgia DBHDD
Condition: Autism (adults)
URL: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/autism-services-initiative-adults

Includes assistance for:

·        Statewide autism service system planning

·        Adult autism resource development

·        Advisory committee and stakeholder engagement

 

Georgia STABLE (ABLE Accounts)

Agency: Georgia Office of the State Treasurer
Conditions served: Qualifying disabilities (including autism, Down syndrome, ADHD when eligible)
URL: https://ost.georgia.gov/georgias-529-college-savings

Includes assistance for:

·        Tax-advantaged disability savings accounts

·        Paying disability-related expenses without losing benefits

·        Financial independence tools for people with disabilities