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Innovations Waiver Services

Built around the person — not the program.

For adults approved through the NC Innovations Waiver, we deliver personalized services anchored in each person's own goals, ISP, and life.

Who This Is For

Adults on the Innovations Waiver

The NC Innovations Waiver is a Medicaid 1915(c) waiver that funds home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If your loved one has been approved for the waiver — or you're working with your LME-MCO to access it — COI is a qualified Innovations provider.

Every Innovations participant has an Individual Support Plan (ISP) that defines their goals and authorized services. Our job is to deliver those services well, every day, with the people who know them best.

Innovations Waiver required ISP-driven Personalized

Services We Provide

Innovations services at COI

We're authorized to provide the following Innovations Waiver services. Your loved one's ISP determines which apply.

Day Service

Community Networking

Activities and supports that build skills, relationships, and inclusion in the broader community — designed around the participant's interests.

Day Service

Day Supports

Structured daily program supporting independence in self-help, socialization, recreation, and adaptive skills.

Employment

Supported Employment

Job development, job coaching, and ongoing workplace support to help participants succeed in community-based jobs.

Family Relief

Respite

Periodic relief for family caregivers — planned in advance so families can rest, travel, or attend to other responsibilities.

In-home

Personal Care

Assistance with activities of daily living when authorized through the ISP.

Coordination

Care Team Collaboration

We work closely with care coordinators, families, and other providers to ensure services align with the ISP and the participant's evolving goals.

How It Works

Person-centered planning in practice

Innovations services start with the participant's Individual Support Plan (ISP) — developed by the care coordinator with the participant, family, and care team. The ISP defines goals, authorized services, hours, and outcomes.

At COI, our role is to deliver those services with consistency, expertise, and warmth. We participate in ISP meetings, contribute observations from daily work with the participant, and adjust our approach as goals evolve. The participant is the author of their own plan — we work for them.

See how enrollment works

FAQ

Common questions about Innovations

How do I get on the Innovations Waiver?

The Innovations Waiver has a waitlist managed by your LME-MCO (Vaya Health or Partners Health). The first step is contacting them about the Registry of Unmet Needs. We can point you to the right people — call us and we'll help.

What if I'm on the waitlist but not yet approved?

You may still qualify for state-funded services like Day Supports through LTCS or vocational training through ADVP while you wait. Many of our participants started this way.

Can I switch to COI from another Innovations provider?

Yes. You can change providers — your care coordinator can help walk through that process. We're happy to talk first to make sure we're the right fit.

Do you provide residential services?

COI specializes in day, vocational, and community-based services. For residential supports, we can connect families with other Innovations providers in the area.

Who chooses our schedule and services?

You do, alongside the care coordinator. Your ISP defines authorized hours and services. We help you build a weekly schedule that works for the participant, the family, and any other providers involved.