Professional Parent
Professional Parent Supports are available for clients under 22 years old, who prefer living in a private residence with a family or caregiver (non-related; parent or guardian), who may need out-of-home placement for either a short or an extended period of time. Professional Parent Supports are established to give children and youth with disabilities an alternative to institutional or community living settings, such as group homes and apartments. This program allows a child or youth to be placed with a family or caregiver who has received specific training regarding disabilities.
Professional Parents serve children with disabilities under 22 years of age in private residences where they receive therapeutic residential habilitation services. Professional Parents cannot have custody or guardianship of the child. When children with a disability cannot remain with their own families for whatever reason, the out of home placement in a Professional Parent home is a preferred alternative. Professional Parents assist the young people in developing skills and provide support in the activities of daily living (bathing, eating, dressing, personal hygiene).
For additional information, see Division Directive 1.2 (Eligibility and Intake) and Administrative Rule R539-1 (Eligibility).
