What is FCS (Foundational Community Supports program)?

What it is: Targeted Medicaid benefits that help eligible clients with complex health needs obtain and
maintain housing and employment stability.

 Supportive housing services:
        Community support services provide ongoing services and supports to help eligible
                  individuals obtain and maintain stable housing.
Supported employment services:
          Individual placement and supports help eligible individuals obtain and maintain stable
                 employment

FCS is not:
                     Ongoing payments for housing, rent, or room and board costs.
                     Wages or wage enhancements for clients.
                     An entitlement.

Supportive housing services
Supportive housing services are ongoing supports to help eligible Medicaid clients find and keep stable,
independent housing.
                    Services include:
                                             Housing assessments.
                                             Identifying housing resources.
                                             Support obtaining a lease.
                                             Independent living skills development.
                                             Landlord relations.
                                             Crisis management.
                                            *The supportive housing benefit will not supplant existing services currently available to eligible populations.


Who is eligible for supportive housing services?
FCS seeks to demonstrate the impact supportive housing services have on populations with the greatest
and most immediate needs, including:
                              Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness as defined by the U.S. Department                                                 of Housing and Urban Development.
                                         Those dependent on costly institutional care.
                                         Those dependent on more restrictive adult residential care/treatment settings.
                                         In-home care recipients with complex needs.
                                         Those at highest risk for expensive care and negative outcomes.

 
* In order to be eligible for these services, individuals must be Medicaid-eligible, complete a needs
assessment and fall into at least one of the groups described above.


Supported employment services
FCS will help Medicaid enrollees who are eligible for this service obtain and keep a job.

                Supported employment includes:
                                         Vocational/job-related discovery or assessment.
                                         Planning for employment.
                                         Job placement, development and coaching.
                                         Skills-building for negotiating with prospective employers.

                           *The supported employment benefit will not cover or supplement a client’s wages.

Who is eligible for supported employment services?

These services have proven especially effective for certain populations with complex needs. These
include:
         Individuals enrolled in the Aged, Blind or Disabled program:
                     https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/aged-blind-or-disabled-cash-assistance-program
         Individuals enrolled in the Housing and Essential Needs program:
        https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/community-services-offices/housing-and-essential-needs
      Individuals diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness, substance use disorder (SUD),
      or co-occurring mental illness and SUD.

      People who are receiving long-term services and supports.

      Vulnerable youth age 16 and older with a behavioral health condition.

*Like the supportive housing benefit, referral to these services must be the result of a needs assessment.