WHAT IS THE YES WAIVER?

The YES (Youth Empowerment Services) Waiver is a 1915(c) Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver that provides a broad array of in-home services as well as other alternative community services and supports in intensive therapeutic and psychiatric rehabilitative services -- all to assist children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbances to live in the community with their families.

Waiver services are combined with services available through the Medicaid State Plan, other federal, state, and local programs the individual may qualify for, and the natural supports that families and communities provide.

Goals

  1. Reducing out-of-home placements and inpatient psychiatric treatment by all child-serving agencies;
  2. Providing a complete continuum of community-based services and supports;
  3. Ensuring families have access to parent partners and other flexible non-traditional support services as identified in a family-centered planning process;
  4. Preventing entry into the foster care system and relinquishment of parental custody; and
  5. We are improving the clinical and functional outcomes of children and adolescents.

Services

  • Adaptive Aids & Supports
  • Community Living Supports
  • Family Supports
  • Minor Home Modifications
  • Non-Medical Transportation
  • Paraprofessional Services
  • Professional Services
  • Respite
  • Supportive Family-Based Alternatives
  • Transitional Services

The Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver has approved Amendment Four, allowing two new services to the current waiver service array. The amendment is regarding Supported Employment and Employment Assistance, as well as the HCBS transition plan. For further explanation, the amendment can be found at www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa/yes/. A paper copy will be available upon request.

The Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver has approved Amendment Seven Draft Final, allowing The YES program to provide home- and community-based services to children ages 3-18 at risk of institutionalization and/or out-of-home placement due to their serious emotional disturbance. For further explanation, the amendment can be found at https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa/yes/. A paper copy will be available upon request.

The Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver has requested an amendment to our existing 1915(c) Waiver that allows The YES program to provide home- and community-based services to children ages 3-18 that are at risk of institutionalization and/or out-of-home placement due to their serious emotional disturbance. For further explanation, the amendment can be found at https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhsa/yes/. The amendment is titled YES Amendment 9 DRAFT. A paper copy will be available upon request.

If you are caring for a child with a severe emotional disturbance and need help, please call the YES Waiver Inquiry line to add your child to the YES Waiver Inquiry List.

Phone: (254) 297-7002. Please leave a message providing your name and contact information, and a staff member will contact you within 24 hours.

Click here to go to the Klaras Center for Families page.