Do I have to be married or own a house to become a Shared Living Provider (SLP)
No. You must be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation. We are looking for energetic caring adults who want to make a positive impact on an individual’s life. You can be single, married, any sexual orientation, a homeowner or apartment renter.
Shared Living Providers may serve up to two individuals in their home. Each individual must have their own room.
Everyone living in your home must complete an initial background check and then annually. You will also need to meet all Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services certification requirements and complete the required training program.
I Have a criminal history. Am I still able to be a SLP
In many situations, individuals with a criminal background can still become Shared Living Providers depending on the type and frequency of charges. Veracity follows Nebraska DHHS guidelines when determining whether someone with charges may continue in the certification process.
However, individuals convicted of a felony involving abuse or neglect of a child, spousal abuse, a crime against a child or children, or a crime of violence are not eligible to become Shared Living Providers. Additionally, anyone listed as a perpetrator on the Central Registry or an equivalent registry in any state is ineligible to provide Shared Living services.
What Technology do I need as a Shared Living Provider
Shared Living Providers need:
- A desktop or laptop computer with internet access
- General computer knowledge such as learning new systems, sending emails, adding attachments to emails and similar tasks
- A functioning home phone or cell phone
- Access to a functioning printer
- Access to a functioning scanner or the ability to downloadthe free CamScanner app
Can I subcontract with another agency while working with Veracity Systems?
Per Veracity policy, Shared Living subcontractors are not allowed to subcontract with other agencies or provide Shared Living services to individuals not receiving oversight through Veracity. This policy helps ensure accurate and timely care coordination, reduces communication issues, minimizes confusion around differing policies and expectations and lowers the risk of placing incompatible individuals in the same home.
If you currently maintain a foster care license through another agency, please contact us at intake@veracitysystems.org to learn how to transfer to Veracity. We’d love to have you under one roof.
Once I am certified, when can I receive my first participant?
Timelines for placement are difficult to determine. Placement depends largely on the individual’s supervision, support and habilitation needs as well as your home’s experience, skills, ability and willingness to meet those needs. Other factors that often influence placement timing include referral frequency, guardian preferences, home location, medical needs and the need for accessible housing.
Can I make a decision about what placement I accept?
Yes. Veracity will contact you to request placement of an individual in your home or to schedule an “initial interview” with the individual and their guardian. This meeting is your chance to ask questions and learn more about the individual. You may say “No” to a placement for any reason. Placements are mutually agreed upon, giving the individual and their guardian as much say in the process as you do. An individual can also choose not to live with you as their provider.
How Long will an individual stay in my home?
This varies greatly for each participant. The goal of Shared Living placements is to provide long-term support. We encourage independence, and some individuals may eventually transition to independent living.
What do I do if I have an emergency with an individual I am providing care for?
Veracity Nebraska has a team of designated professionals to help participants and Shared Living Providers with any mental health or medical questions or concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Once you have an individual placed in your home, you will be assigned a Shared Living Specialist to provide 24/7 support as needed. We ask that non-emergent calls to Shared Living Specialists be limited to regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm). In case of an emergency, you can contact your Shared Living Specialist outside those hours. Our Shared Living Specialists work on a rotating on-call schedule on weekends so there is always someone available to assist.
Do I received monetary compensation while an individual is in my home?
Providers are reimbursed by Veracity for habilitation services, supervision and support. Payments are made on the 10th and 25th of each month. The amount is based on the level of supervision, support and habilitation or behavioral needs of the individual being served. This is determined by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services before placement. Reimbursement typically ranges from $100 to $500 per day.
Additionally, adult participants in Veracity’s Developmental Disability program may pay for room and board. This payment goes directly to the provider and helps cover living expenses such as the individual’s living space and a portion of utilities.
How long will it take me to become certified?
All provider trainings are offered once per month. The certification process to become a Shared Living provider with Veracity can vary depending on background check turnaround times, training needs and your availability for training sessions.
Does Veracity Systems provides support during times I am not able to care for the individuals at my home?
Alternate care, also called respite care, provides a short-term break for Shared Living Providers. It can be arranged when the provider is out of town, has personal matters to attend to, or needs time for self-care.
The Veracity team is happy to assist in finding alternate care options from within our pool of Shared Living Providers. Support staff are another option and help care for the participant. Support staff must complete the same background checks and Veracity training requirements as Shared Living Providers before providing care.
If a spouse or another competent individual living in the home will provide care independently, they must be approved as support staff before doing so.
Is the individual allow to be alone while living in my home?
This is determined on a case-by-case basis by the individual’s team and communicated to the Shared Living Provider. If an individual has alone time in the community or for extended periods, it will be specified in the Individual Support Plan created by the participant’s Service Coordinator.
For youth in the foster care system living in a Shared Living Provider’s home, decisions are typically made on a case-by-case basis. Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standards apply.
Do I have to have contact with an individual family?
A Shared Living Provider cannot deny an individual contact or visits with family for any reason including as a consequence for challenging behaviors. Parameters around family visits such as phone calls, supervision, location and timing are determined by the individual’s team which may include the service coordinator, case manager, guardian and/or the judge assigned to the case.
Will I need to provide transportation for the individual?
Yes. Shared Living Providers are responsible for transporting the individual to appointments, school or vocational programs and other activities outside the home. Depending on the individual’s circumstances, natural supports such as school transportation may be available.
Will the individual bring personal belongings into my home?
Yes. The individual will bring his personal belongings to his room