At Easterseals, we believe that everyone has a right to live an enviornment that best fits their support needs. For many adults with disabilities, this means choosing to be part of the Shared Living or Host Home Program. This program supports people with disabilities to live their best lives through the support of a Host provider and their family unit.
What is a Host Provider?
A Host Provider is someone who opens their home to a person with a disability. Living together, the Host Provider offers support and care for the individual while also fostering their independence and social skills. As a Host Provider, you may be offering the following support:
• Daily supervision, encouragement, and support of an individual's activities
• Healthy meals or support cooking that are in line with an individual's support plan
• Transportation assistance to work, appointments, or activities/hobbies
• Encouragement for individuals to engage in hobbies, stay active, build skills, make friends, and engage in the community
• Maintained records of services, activities, and support an individual receives.
Easterseals gets to know both Host Providers and the people we support, so we can create Shared Living relationships that are a great fit for everyone.
How do you become a Host Provider?
Anyone with experience supporting someone with an intellectual or developmental disability, and who has a desire to share their home and life, can apply to become a Host Provider.
Once you apply to become a Host Provider, Easterseals will complete a home inspection and study to match you with an individual who we believe will be a good fit for you or your family's lifestyle, preferences, cultural values, and more.
Depending on the level of support needed, Easterseals will arrange visits, transition meetings, equipment needs, and home modficiations if required.
Host Providers and Easterseals Midwest
All Host Providers are independent contractors for Easterseals Midwest and are compensated monthly for service hours and the room and board provided to the individual. Host Providers receive a 1099 tax form each year, and are asked to recommit to the Host Home contract on a yearly basis. Hosts are not employees of Easterseals Midwest.
Easterseals Midwest provides all required training to Host Providers at no cost to them. Training may include CPR/First Aid, Medication Administration, Client Rights, HIPAA, positive behavioral supports, electronic documentation requirements, and more.
