Reach Unlimited is certified as an HCS provider by the Texas Health & Human Services Commission (THHSC). The HCS program, designed for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, provides individualized service to people living in their family’s home, their own homes, or other community settings such as group homes.

This is a Medicaid waiver program authorized under Section 1915(c) of Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

HCS services include:

  • Residential services
  • Group homes
  • Host Home/Companion Care
  • Respite services
  • Individualized Skills & Socialization (ISS)
  • Employment services
  • Nursing services
  • Dental services
  • Behavioral support
  • Supported home living
  • Social work
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Dietary services
  • Audiology services
  • Cognitive rehabilitation services (services for people with brain injury)
  • Accessible minor home modifications
  • Adaptive aids
  • Transition assistance services

Reach Unlimited’s HCS Program

Residential Services

Reach Unlimited’s HCS program operates seventeen (3&4 bed) Residential Group Homes within the Cypress, Texas area.

Reach Unlimited focuses on abilities rather than disabilities. A person-centered approach is used in creating an Individualized Service Plan (ISP), which allows individuals the ability to become active participants in their home, and in their community. Individuality is encouraged and respected, freedom of choice is always supported. Residential Services provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a variety of supports, such as providing support with activities of daily living such as eating, dressing and bathing. This also can include individualized skills & socialization, community employment and much more.   

Each Reach group home is personalized from furnishings to style and comfort.  Many of the group homes are handicapped accessible, allowing room for ease of mobility and activity.  Staff members support each individual with their daily living activities, as well as their personal and health care needs, such as medication administration, medical monitoring, social and recreational activities, housekeeping, laundry, and transportation. Staff assists with the preparation of balanced nutritional meals where specialized diets are accommodated and supervised accordingly.

Host Home Services

Host Home Services can be provided for individuals who seek supported living in the community. In a Host Home, individuals live with an independent care provider who opens their heart and home to them.

A Host Home provider may be an individual, a couple or a family with children. Reach Unlimited carefully screens Host Home providers, providing both initial and on-going training. Individuals who are seeking a Host Home are also carefully selected based on mutual interests and compatibility with the Host Home family. Both parties then make the final choice as to the relationship.

Host Home providers are compensated for the care they provide at a daily rate, on a monthly basis according to the individuals level of need.

For enrollment in Residential and Foster Care HCS programs at Reach, please contact Nicole Mescia at nmescia@reachunlimited.org or (281) 213-2582 ext. 23.

Interested in a HCS Program?

If you think you or someone you know may be eligible for the Texas HCS program, you should contact your Local IDD Authority (LIDDA), which is the lead agency in your area responsible for HCS. A list of LIDDAs can be found on the THHSC website. Unfortunately, the waiting list, or “interest list” is notoriously long in the state of Texas. As of this writing, there are over 109,000 individuals on the interest list waiting for a “slot” into the HCS program. This is why it is imperative that you get the name of your loved one on the interest list as soon as a diagnosis of IDD is made, and that you are familiar with the other Texas waiver programs that may be able to provide some level of support while your loved one is waiting for a spot in HCS.

Once you receive a slot in the program, your LIDDA will work with you to develop an individual service plan (ISP). The ISP is a document that outlines the services and supports you will receive through the HCS program. The ISP is developed through a team process that includes the individual, their family members, and other professionals who know you and your needs. You will also be provided a list of HCS provider agencies in your area to choose from to facilitate the services provided in the HCS program.

Tips for choosing an HCS provider agency:

  • Does the agency have experience providing the types of services and supports I need?
  • Do they have a good reputation?
  • Are they located near me?
  • Do they have a good working relationship with my LIDDA?
  • Do they have a good working relationship with my other service providers?
  • Are they able to provide services in the languages I need?

It is important that talk to multiple potential provide agencies to get a sense of who would be the best fit to work with you and your family.