Grassroots Advocacy in Kent County.
Take action to protect services for the I/DD Community
Important Update: Changes to Community Living Supports (CLS) Services Effective October 1, 2026. We need your help!
As of October 1, 2026, a change to the Michigan Medicaid Provider Manual regarding Community Living Supports (CLS) may prevent CLS staff from providing services in their own homes. This change could significantly affect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who rely on self-directed services and choose to receive support from trusted family members or friends.
For many individuals, their CLS provider’s home is much more than a place to receive services. It is a place to spend time with family, share meals, participate in activities, exercise, build relationships, and feel connected to their community. This change could disrupt these important relationships, limit personal choice, and take away opportunities for meaningful family and social connections.
We need to hear from you! The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has indicated that personal stories will help them better understand the impact of this change and determine what additional clarification may be needed.
If you or a family member receives self-directed CLS services, we encourage you to share your experience. In particular, we would appreciate hearing from families whose CLS staff are parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, friends, or other trusted individuals who provide support in their own homes.
For example:
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Does your family member visit their CLS provider’s home to spend time with other family members?
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Do they participate in family dinners, cooking, exercise, or other meaningful activities there?
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How would losing access to these experiences affect their relationships, independence, well-being, or quality of life?
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What would this change mean for your family member’s ability to choose who supports them and how they spend their time?
You do not need to include anyone’s name. A brief description of the individual’s disability, city or county, Community Mental Health Service Program (CMHSP), whether services are traditional or self-directed, and how the change would affect their daily life would be very helpful.
Please email your story to tammy@arckent.org by Thursday, October 22, 2026.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS. These personal experiences can help decision-makers understand that CLS is not simply about providing a service. It is about supporting people with disabilities in living meaningful lives, maintaining family connections, and exercising choice and control over their own supports.
Thank you for helping The Arc Kent County advocate for the rights, choices, and well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Your input can help protect individual choice, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for community participation.
The Arc Kent County works to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are valued in order that they and their families fully participate in and contribute to their community.
It is our vision that all people realize and fulfill their dreams of having employment, education, meaningful relationships and living independently within their community
With education and awareness comes understanding and acceptance. The Arc Kent County views increased public awareness as one of the major components to greater understanding and community acceptance of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
To this end, The Arc Kent County staff provides members, families, professionals, organizations, and the community-at-large with direct and indirect information about intellectual and developmental disabilities.
