What is the HOME Project?

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About the HOME Project

Hope and Opportunity in Many Environments (HOME) is a project in Iowa that is working to make sure that everyone has access to high-quality behavioral health, disability and aging services in their communities. HOME’s goal is to improve services to make it easier for people to access the help they need and stay in their communities with their loved ones.  

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What is wrong with the current system?

From 2022 to 2025, Iowa HHS gathered feedback from Iowans about the current HCBS waiver system.

People from around the state told us:

  • Waitlists are not based on people’s needs.
  • Services do not always meet people’s needs.
  • Finding and accessing services is difficult.

Iowans want a system that is easier to understand and helps people get the services and support they need.

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What are the future HOME waivers?

One part of HOME is making Iowa’s Home- and Community-Based Services, or HCBS, waiver system easier to understand. Today, six waivers are organized around a person’s diagnosis or disability:

  • AIDS/HIV Waiver 
  • Brain Injury Waiver 
  • Children’s Mental Health Waiver 
  • Health and Disability Waiver 
  • Intellectual Disability Waiver 
  • Physical Disability Waiver 

In the future, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to combine these six waivers into two broader waivers, based on age:

  • Children and Youth Waiver: This waiver will serve children and young adults from birth through age 20. It is designed to support needs during early childhood, the school years, and the transition to adulthood. Waiver services will add to, not replace, services available through Iowa Care for Kids, also known as Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment, or EPSDT. 
  • Adults with Disabilities Waiver: This waiver will serve eligible people beginning at age 21. It will include supports people may need throughout adulthood and as they grow older. 

The Elderly Waiver will remain separate.

 

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What you need to know

HOME is moving forward in steps.

At this time, Iowa’s seven current HCBS waivers are staying in place. 

Iowa HHS is moving forward with other parts of HOME while it updates its information technology systems and other processes needed to support the project.

Some HOME changes began in 2025. Iowa HHS has additional changes planned for October 2026 and January 2027. The Children and Youth Waiver and Adults with Disabilities Waiver will start later. Iowa HHS will share more information as plans are finalized and the launch date gets closer. 

What this means for you now

  • If you currently receive waiver services: You will stay on your current waiver for now. You do not need to apply for a new HOME Waiver at this time, and your approved services will continue. 
  • If you are on one or more waiver waitlists: You will remain on those waitlists until a waiver slot becomes available. 

You do not need to take action. Continue reading notices from Iowa HHS, your managed care organization, and your case manager. Iowa HHS will provide more information before future changes take effect.

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What is the HOME Project Timeline? 

View the full HOME Project timeline here.  (105.39 KB) .pdf

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