Getting Host Home Services in Utah: A Step-by-Step Guide
Trying to get help for an adult with disabilities in Utah? Want to explore host home or adult foster care services, but confused about where to even start?
You’re not alone—and this guide is here to cut through the jargon and give you the exact steps to obtain services for adults with disabilities in Utah, especially if you’re considering a host home setting.
We’ll walk you through the entire process, from determining eligibility to moving into a host home—so you know what to expect and what to do next.
🔑 What Is a Host Home (Adult Foster Care) in Utah?
A host home—also called adult foster care—is a living arrangement where a certified caregiver or family welcomes an adult with disabilities into their private home. It’s a family-style, person-centered alternative to institutional care or group homes.
Instead of rotating staff and cold hallways, think:
👍 Real home
👍 Real relationships
👍 Real support—24/7
In Utah, host home services are managed by the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) and funded through Medicaid waivers, making them accessible for many families.
🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Get Host Home Services in Utah
1. ✅ Apply for Services Through DSPD
The first gate you must pass is the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD).
Why DSPD matters:
They’re the central authority that determines if your loved one qualifies for long-term support services, including host homes.
How to apply:
- Visit https://dspd.utah.gov
- Complete an application for eligibility screening
- Submit required documentation (diagnoses, assessments, evaluations)
Eligibility criteria typically includes:
- Intellectual or developmental disability
- Autism, cerebral palsy, brain injury, or similar diagnoses
- Significant limitations in daily living (communication, self-care, mobility, etc.)
- Utah residency
🧠 Pro Tip: Apply as early as possible. Even if you don’t need services yet, there’s often a waiting list.
2. 📄 Get Approved and Placed on the Waiting List
Once your application is submitted and reviewed, DSPD will determine whether your loved one qualifies.
If they do, they’re placed on a waitlist for services.
Yes, it sucks. Utah has more people needing services than there are slots available—but it’s a necessary step.
Tips while on the waitlist:
- Stay in regular contact with DSPD
- Update them if circumstances change (e.g., caregiver becomes unable to provide support)
- Gather other documentation or evaluations to strengthen your case
- Reach out to Family-to-Family Network or Utah Parent Center for support and advocacy help
3. 🩺 Get Assigned a Medicaid Waiver (Usually the Community Supports Waiver)
When a slot opens, your loved one will be offered a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver.
For most adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, this is the:
👉 Community Supports Waiver (CSW)
This waiver pays for:
- Residential services (host home)
- Day programs
- Behavioral supports
- Transportation
- And more
📟 Note: Medicaid waivers pay for the services, not room and board. That’s usually covered by the individual’s SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
4. 🤝 Get Assigned a Support Coordinator
Once on a waiver, you’ll be paired with a support coordinator—a case manager who becomes your best ally in navigating the system.
Your support coordinator will:
- Help you identify which services your loved one needs
- Explain what host home (adult foster care) entails
- Help you find and choose a provider agency
- Create a person-centered support plan (PCSP)
They’re the ones who will help you actually start the host home placement process.
5. 🏠 Choose a Host Home Provider Agency
Support coordinators will present you with options from approved provider agencies in Utah who manage host homes.
Examples include:
- BrookeRidge Farms
- RISE Services
- Chrysalis
- North Eastern Services
- TKJ Services
- And others
These agencies:
- Recruit and license host families
- Match your loved one with a good fit
- Handle provider payments and training
- Offer ongoing support and supervision
You can also request agency interviews or explore options yourself if you want to stay more involved.
6. 🔍 Match With a Host Family
Once you choose an agency, they’ll begin the matching process:
- You’ll get profiles of host families
- You (and your loved one) can meet the families
- You can tour their homes
- You may do trial visits, overnights, etc.
This is not one-size-fits-all.
The goal is to find a family who aligns with your loved one’s:
- Personality
- Support needs
- Interests
- Cultural values
- Communication style
❤️ Important: Your input matters. Ask questions. Request alternatives. Don’t rush.
7. 🛆 Move-In and Monitor the Placement
When a match is made:
- The agency will finalize paperwork
- Medicaid services are activated
- A transition plan is created
- The individual moves into the host home
The support coordinator and provider agency will continue to:
- Monitor the home regularly
- Adjust the care plan as needed
- Address concerns or challenges
- Provide respite and crisis support if needed
Many host home placements last for years. Some even become permanent families.
💸 What Does It Cost?
- Medicaid pays for care services
- SSI or other benefits pay room and board
- You do not pay out of pocket unless choosing private pay (rare)
The host home provider is compensated through:
- Medicaid funding
- A portion of the resident’s SSI
🧭 Summary: Your Host Home Checklist
| Step | What To Do |
|---|---|
| ✅ Step 1 | Apply for DSPD services at dspd.utah.gov |
| ✅ Step 2 | Get on the waitlist |
| ✅ Step 3 | Accept a Medicaid waiver (CSW) when offered |
| ✅ Step 4 | Meet your support coordinator |
| ✅ Step 5 | Choose a host home agency |
| ✅ Step 6 | Match with a host family |
| ✅ Step 7 | Move in + monitor success |
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I choose the host family?
A: Yes—you’ll be presented with options and can say no if a family isn’t the right fit.
Q: What if my loved one wants to come home on weekends?
A: You can often work that out. Agencies and host families generally allow flexible visits.
Q: Can my adult child keep their benefits in a host home?
A: Yes. They’ll still receive SSI and Medicaid, and may also qualify for SNAP or other supports.
🧠 Final Thoughts
If you’re a family member, caregiver, or individual looking for a more natural, connected, and supportive living option, Utah’s host home services are worth exploring.
The process takes time, but you’re not alone. With the right knowledge and support, your loved one can thrive in a home that feels like family.
Start your journey today at https://dspd.utah.gov
🔗 Related Resources from BrookeRidge Farms
Want to learn more about disability services and family support in Utah? Check out these helpful posts from our blog:
- Understanding the Role of Host Home Providers
- Tips for New Host Home Families
- BrookeRidge Farms Host Home Service Provider
- Teaching Daily Living Skills
- Services provided by BrookeRidge Farms
These guides expand on the steps above and give practical tips for making the host home journey as smooth as possible.
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