The Medicaid Community Care Waiver (CCW) is a program for individuals with developmental disabilities that pays for the services and supports they need in order to live in the community. The CCW is funded by the state, with assistance from the federal government’s Medicaid program. DDD administers the CCW.
When individuals are enrolled on the waiver, their “need” for services is determined through an assessment. DDD always strives to provide the services an individual needs; the difference is that individuals enrolled on the waiver are entitled to receive those services (based on their needs assessment), unlike individuals who are not enrolled on the waiver.
The CCW is a critical component of DDD’s ability to provide services in the community to individuals with developmental disabilities. Without the CCW, New Jersey could only use Medicaid funding to help provide services to these individuals if they resided in an institution. The federal government allowed states to create waivers, including the CCW, as a way to help individuals with specific needs avoid institutionalization and return to or remain in the community.
