For many individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities, the opportunity to live in a nurturing, home-based setting as active members of a family can make a world of difference. DePaul’s Sponsored Residential program carefully matches children and adults with disabilities to compassionate care providers who offer personalized support to individuals in their homes. In some cases, an individual’s parents may become their sponsored residential provider.
DePaul recruits and provides in-depth training to committed individuals and couples who wish to open their homes and become care providers. Our residential coordinators are there to assist care providers throughout the process with training, supervision, and case management of the individual being served.
If you have considered becoming a care provider but want to know more about the process, these are the seven steps to becoming sponsored home provider with DePaul. Be sure to also check out our Sponsored Residential FAQs.
- Contact one of DePaul’s sponsored home finders. Our home finders are the first point of contact for anyone who is interested in learning more about becoming a care provider. Home finders can answer any questions you have, provide you with additional information and resources, and help you get started in your journey to becoming a care provider with DePaul.
- Attend an orientation session. These informational sessions are designed to help prospective care providers understand the process of obtaining approval to provide services with DePaul as well as a license from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Orientation sessions are held quarterly and last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the number of questions asked.
- Submit an application. You will be provided with an application packet at orientation requesting basic information about you and other members of your household. Packets can also be requested between these sessions. DePaul requires personal references as well as permission to complete background checks on everyone in your household over the age of 16. Completed applications can be submitted to your local DePaul office.
- Complete background checks. Once a completed application is submitted, the home study process will begin, starting with background checks for everyone in your home over the age of 16. All applicants are screened according to federal regulations, including DMV checks, criminal checks, Child Protective Services (CPS) and Adult Protective Services (APS) checks, an assessment of financial resources, and references.
- Participate in a home visit. As part of the home study process, one of our home finders and potentially a residential coordinator will visit your home to ensure it has adequate space and accessibility to meet the needs of the individuals we serve. DePaul’s care provider homes must meet certain safety standards and be compliant with all DBHDS regulations concerning the physical environment of the home. Once this visit has taken place, a subsequent home visit completed by a DBHDS licensing specialist will need to take place per state regulation.
- Complete training courses. DePaul offers extensive training to prepare care providers to assist individuals requiring different levels of care, including personal care, physical assistance, learning life skills, and 24-hour supervision. Our sponsored home providers must complete all trainings required by DBHDS, including workbook orientation, CPR and first aid, and medication management.
- Receive approval to provide sponsored residential services. After your home study, required trainings, and required home visits are complete, you will receive approval from DePaul and state licensing from DBHDS to provide care as a DePaul sponsored home provider. DePaul then strives to make the best possible match for you and the individuals we serve, although the timeframe for placement can vary depending on many factors.
You will continue to receive ongoing training every year as required by DBHDS, as well as support and oversight from an assigned residential coordinator.
Every day, DePaul’s sponsored home providers are making a positive impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities who are in need of their care and compassion. We offer our sponsored residential services in the following offices: Amelia, Cedar Bluff, Christiansburg, Fishersville, Forest, and Roanoke. For more information on how to become a care provider, please call DePaul today at 888-233-7285 or complete the form below.
