1. Texas Health and Human Services
YES Waiver 101 Youth Empowerment Services A Medicaid Waiver Program for Children with Severe Emotional Disturbances
Texas Health and Human Services

2. YES Waiver
Youth Empowerment Services (YES) serves to prevent or reduce institutionalization of children and adolescents ages 3 – 18 with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED).
The YES Waiver enables more flexibility in providing intensive community-based services for children and adolescents with SED, and provide support for their families by improving access to services.
The YES Waiver is administered under Social Security Act §1915(c) which allows for a child to receive long-term care services within the home and community based settings.

3. History April 2010-March 2013: Pilot phase with three sites
April 2013-April 2015: Six sites added
April 2015-April 2016: Statewide expansion

4. Goals of YES Waiver
Reduce and prevent out-of-home placements by all youth-serving agencies
Prevent or reduce inpatient psychiatric admissions for children and adolescents with SED
Provide a more complete continuum of community-based services and supports for youth with SED and their families
Ensure families have access to parent partners and other flexible non-traditional support services identified in a family-centered planning process
Prevent entry and recidivism into the foster care system and relinquishment of parental custody
Improve the clinical and functional outcomes of children and adolescents with SED

5. General Eligibility Requirements
Between the ages of 3-18
Must reside in:
A non-institutional setting with the youth’s legally authorized representative (LAR), or
The youth’s own home or apartment, if legally emancipated, or
If youth is in a private residential facility and has a discharge date pending within the next 30 days, an intake can be completed
Be eligible to receive Medicaid, under a Medicaid Eligibility Group included in the Waiver
May not be a recipient of other 1915(c) or 1915(i) Waiver programs

6. Clinical Eligibility Criteria
Criteria A: Score within specified range on CANS for developmental domain
Criteria B: Score within specified range on CANS for specified child risk, caregiver strengths and needs, and life domain functioning
Criteria C: Must have attempted outpatient therapy or partial hospitalization or have documentation by a psychiatrist as to why inpatient care is required
Criteria D: Must be reasonably expected to qualify for inpatient care under the Texas Medicaid inpatient psychiatric admissions guidelines
Criteria E: Have a valid mental health diagnosis as the principle admitting diagnosis (Axis 1)

7. Entry in to Services
Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) calls the Inquiry Line
LMHA returns call within one business day
Youth is placed on Inquiry List
Assessment to be scheduled within seven business days of call

8. Service Breakdown YES Wraparound TRR (State Plan Services)
Deemed eligible via Clinical Eligibility Assessment
YES Services are specific to expanded service array (i.e. Paraprofessional, Art Therapy, and Respite)
Conduct Individual Plan of Care (IPC) review every days for authorization of services
Utilize CMBHS to enter YES specific documentation (CE, IPC, and YES service array service notes)
Follow National Wraparound Implementation Center model to provide wraparound using state plan ICM/ TCM Services
Utilize support of Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health
Model guidelines are congruent with TAC guidelines
Guidelines established by TAC, Title 25
Complete CANS Assessment at initial and every days, always requesting a deviation to LOC-YES
LOC-YES includes all TRR state plan services
Youth is entitled to all state plan services, which includes required ICM/TCM services for YES Waiver

9. YES Service Array Respite (In-Home & Out-Of-Home)
Adaptive Aids and Supports
Community Living Supports
Family Supports
Minor Home Modifications
Non-Medical Transportation
Supportive Family-Based Alternative
Paraprofessional Services
Specialized Therapies
Animal Assisted Therapy
Art Therapy
Music Therapy
Recreational Therapy
Nutritional Counseling
Supported Employment
Employment Assistance
Transitional Services
*The types of YES Waiver services may vary depending upon which Waiver Provider is selected*

10. YES Contact Information Department of State Health Services