.jpg)
FOUNDATIONAL
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
Foundational Community Supports (FCS) is a Medicaid-funded program that helps people build stability, independence, and connection through employment and housing in their communities.
FCS offers Supported Employment and Supportive Housing services that are person-centered and built around each individual's goals. We help people find meaningful work and housing that fits their needs and preferences, working alongside them and with landlords and partners to identify opportunities and available housing.
Who Does FCS Help?
Individuals who want to work, maintain housing, and build healthier, more independent lives, while also helping to create stronger, more inclusive communities.
How Does it Work?
FCS is a case-managed service that provides guidance, advocacy, and skill building, not direct payment for rent, wages, or utilities. Participants play an active role in achieving their goals and creating lasting change.
Who Qualifies for FCS
FCS services are designed to meet people where they are, supporting each person's path toward meaningful work, stable housing, and greater independence.
Individuals may qualify for one or both FCS services — Supported Employment and Supportive Housing — based on their needs and goals.
Supported Employment
-
Must be enrolled in Medicaid (note: Medicare-only recipients are not eligible)
-
Diagnosed with a Substance Use Disorder or Mental Illness
-
16 years of age or older
Supportive Housing
-
Must be enrolled in Medicaid (note: Medicare-only recipients are not eligible)
-
Chronically homeless or transitioning out of an institution, such as jail, inpatient treatment, or adult family home
-
16 years of age or older
What this means for individuals on the DVR Waitlist
Individuals who have been placed on the DVR waitlist may qualify for FCS. The targeted benefits and services that FCS provides to individuals assists with employment services until the time they are taken off the wait-list and served through DVR.
Supported Employment Services via FCS
Supported employment services assist those individuals who want to work and meet FCS criteria to become employed in integrated community employment. Activities are intended to ensure successful employment outcomes through the utilization of collateral contacts, skills training, cueing, modeling and supervision as identified by the person-centered assessment (person-centered plan).
Individualized supported employment services include: identifying career and occupational targets, developing ongoing relationships with prospective employers, assisting with the interviewing and hiring process, and, once employed, support with maintaining employment. Coaching and skill-building of interpersonal relationships in the work setting as well as education for self-advocacy and support with the American with Disabilities Act are also included.
FCS | the details
Referred to as WA State 1115 demonstration waiver, WA State Medicaid employment waiver, or Foundational community supports.
FCS provides targeted Medicaid benefits to assist eligible individuals with complex health needs obtain and maintain employment and housing.
This includes: Coaching, Advocacy, Information and referrals, Linking and coordinating Ongoing supports