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The short version: the main difference comes down to where you live, who the support is designed for, and how that support is structured, and where the service is available. At ALSO, Supported Living Services (SLS) are available only in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties, while In-Home Supports are available throughout all counties where ALSO provides services. Understanding the distinction helps you choose the path that fits your life right now and adjust it as your needs change.
In general terms:
Both services share the same foundation: choice, independence, and dignity. Where they differ is in setting and structure.
In-home supports are flexible services delivered in the home where a person already lives. They’re designed to help someone maintain their health, build everyday skills, and stay active in their community without leaving the home environment they know. These supports are characterized by:
Typical help might include personal care and daily routines, medication and health-related support, meal preparation, skill-building for independence, help with communication and adaptive equipment, transportation coordination, community participation, and support for family caregivers.
Supported living is designed for adults who want to live independently in their own home or apartment, rather than with family. The emphasis is on building and sustaining an independent household while receiving the right amount of structured support. It is characterized by:
Support can cover self-advocacy, money management, medical assistance, personal care, and a wide range of daily life skills. Depending on a person’s needs and preferences, it can also include shared-housing arrangements with a roommate, around-the-clock support for those who need it, and help participating in the wider community.
These services are for individuals in Oregon who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities and want support to live, learn, and participate in their community on their own terms. In practice that includes:
A person’s situation isn’t fixed. Many people start with one type of support and move toward another, such as a young adult transitioning from in-home supports in the family home toward supported living in a place of their own.
Both in-home supports and supported living are part of Oregon’s developmental disability system, and access works the same way for each. To receive either service, a person generally needs to:
Funding typically comes through Oregon Medicaid waivers and the K Plan, administered through CDDPs and Support Services Brokerages. The plan you build determines which services you receive, who provides them, and how much support is authorized.
While the settings differ, both services can include a wide range of individualized help. Depending on the plan, supports may include:
The difference is less about the menu of supports and more about the setting they happen in and how that support is organized around the person’s living situation.
Clearing up a few common misunderstandings can make choosing between these services much easier:
Can a person move from in-home supports to supported living?
Yes. Needs and goals change, and many people transition between services over time. Your Services Coordinator or Personal Agent can help adjust your Individual Support Plan as your situation evolves.
Is supported living available to children?
Supported living is designed primarily for adults living independently in their own home. Children and youth are typically served through in-home supports in the family home.
Who pays for these services?
Both are generally funded through Oregon Medicaid waivers and the K Plan, accessed through your local CDDP or a Support Services Brokerage once a person is determined eligible for I/DD services.
How do I know which service is right for my situation?
It depends on where the person lives, their age, and the kind of support they want. A good starting point is a conversation with your CDDP or Brokerage, and with a provider who can walk you through how each option would actually work day to day.
How do I get started?
Contact your local Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP) or Support Services Brokerage to begin the eligibility and planning process, then choose a provider for the services in your plan.