The mission of the NOW is to utilize the principles of Self Determination to supplement the family and/or community supports while supporting dignity, quality of life, and security in the everyday lives of people while maintaining the Recipient in the community. The NOW includes an array of services aimed at assisting people to live as independently as possible.
NOW services include residential support, respite, community integration and development, work-related supports, habilitation, environmental modifications and specialized equipment, professional services, as well as other services. Services are based on the need of the recipient and are developed using a person centered process. The person-centered process coordinated by the case manager will formulate an individualized plan for each recipient. NOW services are provided as a supplement to regular Medicaid State Plan services and natural supports. NOW should not be viewed as a lifetime entitlement or a fixed annual allocation.
Due to the demand for NOW services, there is a Request for Services Registry (RFSR) which lists people, who have a qualifying developmental disability (DD) according to the Louisiana DD definition, and their request date. The NOW is offered to people on the Registry on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of people who qualify for the NOW through emergency placement or other designated placements.