Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

RCH Provider Page

Welcome to the Residential Care Home (RCH) Provider Resource Page. This page connects Residential Care Home providers with trainings, tools, community resources, state agency contacts, and practical supports that can help residents remain safe, supported, and connected in the community.

The resources below are intended to support collaboration, shared understanding, resident choice, and smoother coordination across Residential Care Homes, Access Agencies, hospital discharge planners, behavioral health providers, housing partners, service coordinators, and other community partners.

These related resources may be helpful for providers, prospective residents, families, discharge planners, case managers, and community partners.

Regional RCH Community Integration Roundtables

The Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is convening Regional RCH Community Integration Roundtables to bring together Residential Care Home providers, Access Agency staff, hospital discharge planners, housing partners, service coordinators, and community partners for focused, collaborative discussions on strengthening community-based supports, service coordination, and transitions.

These roundtables are designed to build stronger connections across systems, deepen shared understanding of available services, and improve coordination to support informed choice, including access to Residential Care Homes as a community-based option.

Participants can expect a practical, conversation-driven session focused on waiver services, referral pathways, RCHs as part of the long-term services and supports continuum, real-world case discussion, problem-solving common barriers, and building ongoing points of contact across organizations.

Upcoming Roundtable Session Information

Regional session dates, registration links, and host locations will be posted as they are confirmed.

Summer Series

Western Region

Date: Wednesday, July 22
Time: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Location:
Western CT Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
84 Progress Lane
Waterbury, CT 06705

Registration: Register for the Western Region July session

Fall Series

Western Region

Date: Wednesday, October 14
Time: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Location:
Western CT Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
84 Progress Lane
Waterbury, CT 06705

Registration: Register for the Western Region October session

Southwestern Region

Date: Friday, October 30
Time: 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Location:
Mozaic Senior Life
4200 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Room M79

Registration: Register for the Southwestern Region October session

For questions about the Regional RCH Community Integration Roundtables, contact Daniel Beem at Daniel.Beem@ct.gov or 860-310-8653.

Training and Education

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program maintains a training page with Residential Care Home trainings, podcasts, and related educational materials. Providers are encouraged to visit the training page for the most current RCH training resources.

  • Residential Care Home Multi-Agency Training Series
    Includes RCH-focused trainings and educational materials related to resident rights, balancing rights and responsibilities, community integration, and coordination with state and community partners.

Related Education Links

Resident Support and Service Navigation

Residential Care Home providers are not expected to solve every issue alone. The resources below can help providers connect residents and families with advocacy, benefits counseling, legal assistance, aging services, protective services, transportation complaint information, and local community supports.

Behavioral Health, Recovery, and Housing Stabilization

Residential Care Home residents may benefit from behavioral health, recovery, housing stabilization, social connection, and community support services. These resources can help residents remain successful in the community and help providers identify partners when concerns arise.

DMHAS Access Line

The DMHAS Access Line can assist with identifying substance use treatment, medications, treatment beds, transportation, and other supports. The individual must meet medical necessity for appropriate referrals.

DMHAS Access Line: 1-800-563-4086

Older Adult Behavioral Health, Service Navigation, and Diversion Supports

Older adults residing in or seeking placement in Residential Care Homes may benefit from DMHAS-funded supports, particularly when experiencing behavioral health concerns, social isolation, housing instability, repeated hospitalizations, substance use disorders, or difficulty accessing community services.

  • DMHAS Senior Outreach and Engagement Services
    For older adults age 55 and older with behavioral health concerns, substance use concerns, social isolation, housing instability, or difficulty connecting to services.
  • DMHAS Diversion Nurse Program
    For support with community-based planning that may help avoid unnecessary hospitalization, homelessness, institutionalization, or emergency service utilization.
  • DMHAS Main Website
    For broader DMHAS program and service information.

How to Connect Someone with the Right Support

  • For older adults age 55 and older with behavioral health concerns, substance use concerns, social isolation, housing instability, or difficulty connecting to services: start with DMHAS Senior Outreach and Engagement Services.
  • For individuals experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness: contact 211 Connecticut and select option #3 and then #1 to connect with housing crisis and Coordinated Access Network resources.
  • For general aging-service navigation, benefits counseling, and long-term care options: contact the local Area Agency on Aging or CHOICES.
  • For individuals with an intellectual disability, autism, or a history of DDS involvement: contact the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services or the appropriate DDS regional office to discuss eligibility, case management, waiver services, employment and day supports, and other community-based supports.

Recovery and Substance Use Supports

Recovery supports may be helpful for individuals who are exploring changes in alcohol or substance use, seeking peer support, returning to recovery, or trying to remain stable in the community.

Real-Time Treatment Availability

Intellectual and Developmental Disability Supports

Some individuals residing in or considering placement in a Residential Care Home may have an intellectual disability, autism, or a history of receiving services through the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Connecting with DDS early may help identify available supports, clarify eligibility, and strengthen planning for individuals who may benefit from developmental disability services while living in the community.

DDS services may include case management, family supports, employment and day services, community living supports, and Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver supports for eligible individuals. These services can help individuals maintain community living, increase independence, participate in meaningful activities, and remain connected to natural and formal supports.

When to Consider Connecting with DDS

Consider contacting DDS or helping an individual reconnect with DDS when the individual:

  • Has an intellectual disability or autism diagnosis.
  • Previously received DDS services or may already have a DDS case manager.
  • May need support with community living, employment, day services, or meaningful daytime activities.
  • Has aging caregivers or family members who can no longer provide the same level of support.
  • May benefit from waiver-funded services or additional supports to remain successful in a Residential Care Home or other community-based setting.
  • Needs help understanding whether they may be eligible for DDS services.

DDS Eligibility, Applications, and Regional Contacts

  • DDS Eligibility Information
    Information about eligibility for DDS services, including eligibility for individuals with intellectual disability and autism.
  • How to Apply for DDS Services
    Information about applying for DDS services and required documentation.
  • DDS Contact Information
    Regional and central office contact information for the Department of Developmental Services.
  • DDS Regions
    DDS regional information, including maps and contact information.
  • DDS Help Line
    Regional help line information for individuals, families, providers, and community partners seeking guidance about DDS supports.

DDS Waiver, Employment, and Day Supports

Practical Resident Support Programs

The following resources may help providers, residents, families, discharge planners, and community partners identify practical supports that can assist residents in entering or remaining successful in a Residential Care Home.

State Supplement and Financial Assistance

Connecticut's State Supplement Program may help eligible individuals pay for Residential Care Home room, board, and personal care costs. Prospective residents who are under age 65 and not blind may need a disability determination to qualify. Identifying this issue early can help prevent delays during transitions.

Long-Term Services and Supports

Incontinence Supplies and Insurance-Covered Medical Supplies

Residents who medically qualify and have health insurance coverage, including Medicaid, may be able to receive incontinence supplies through medical supply companies such as CHARM or other approved providers. These supplies may include briefs, pull-ups, liners, underpads, gloves, and related products when they are medically necessary and covered by the individual's insurance.

Access to appropriate incontinence supplies can support resident dignity, comfort, hygiene, skin health, infection prevention, and overall wellbeing. Providers, residents, families, case managers, and health care professionals may need to work together to identify the resident's insurance coverage, obtain required medical documentation, and connect with an approved medical supply provider.

Finding Residential Care Home Openings

DSS maintains Residential Care Home census information that may help individuals, families, hospital discharge planners, and community partners identify homes that may have available beds. Reported census information is a snapshot in time and may not reflect real-time availability. Individuals should contact homes directly to discuss openings, admission criteria, services, and fit.

Provider Education and Peer Connection

Provider organizations may offer information, education, training, peer connection, and advocacy related to Residential Care Homes.

Operations, Regulations, and State Agency Contacts

The following links are provided to help Residential Care Home providers locate applicable state agency contacts, operational resources, regulations, and guidance. These resources are intended to support shared understanding and should be reviewed alongside guidance from DSS, DPH, and other appropriate state agencies.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program Operational Resources

Department of Social Services

Department of Public Health

Laws, Regulations, and Guidance

Quick Contact Directory

Common Residential Care Home resource contacts
Need help with Suggested contact or resource
Resident rights, advocacy, or resident concerns Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
RCH trainings and educational materials Residential Care Home Multi-Agency Training Series
Important transition documents or replacement records Important Discharge Documents Checklist
Senior or service navigation for older adults DMHAS Senior Outreach and Engagement Services, the local Area Agency on Aging, or CHOICES
Housing crisis, homelessness, or shelter diversion Call 211 and select option #3 and then #1 for housing crisis and Coordinated Access Network resources.
Behavioral health or substance use treatment access DMHAS Access Line: 1-800-563-4086
Recovery coaching or peer recovery support Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery
Medicare, Medicaid, State Supplement, or benefits counseling CHOICES Program
Long-term services and supports DSS Long-Term Services and Supports
Intellectual disability, autism, or DDS service questions Connecticut Department of Developmental Services
DDS eligibility or application questions DDS Eligibility Information and How to Apply for DDS Services
DDS regional contacts or case management connection DDS Contact Information
DDS help line or guidance on available supports DDS Help Line
DDS employment, day, or community participation supports DDS Employment and Day Services
Incontinence supplies or insurance-covered medical supplies Residents who medically qualify may be able to receive supplies through an approved medical supply provider, such as CHARM Medical Supply, depending on insurance coverage and required medical documentation.
Residential Care Home openings or census information DSS Residential Care Home Monthly Census
RCH payments, openings, closings, or rates con-ratesetting.dss@ct.gov
Eligibility or resident-specific State Supplement questions ResidentialCareHomes.DSS@ct.gov
RCH licensing or regulatory questions Department of Public Health Residential Care Homes Page
Abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect concerns involving an older adult Elder Protective Services
Legal assistance or planning documents Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut
Community resources and local referrals 211 Connecticut
Provider education and peer connection Connecticut Association of Residential Care Homes