Disability services in Kentucky

Children and youth under 21 with high-intensity behavioral health or developmental needs who meet psychiatric hospital or ICF/IID level of care and have used up other services.

Start with: kynect online, or in person at a Community Mental Health Center or Aging and Disability Resource Center · (844) 784-5614 · Website (opens in a new tab)

No waiting list was stated; children with urgent needs (for example unhoused, many foster moves, or leaving a hospital soon) may be treated as urgent.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Apply for waiver-supportive Medicaid at kynect.ky.gov, by calling (855) 306-8959, or at a DCBS office
2. When your Medicaid is approved or pending, apply for the waiver on kynect
3. Or apply for the waiver in person at a Community Mental Health Center or ADRC
4. Include an SED checklist (behavioral health) or a psycho-educational report with IQ and adaptive testing (developmental disability)
5. Watch for a letter from the Department for Medicaid Services with the decision and next steps

Have these ready

• SED checklist, or psycho-educational report with IQ and adaptive scores
• Mental health diagnosis and hospital records if you have them
• DCBS placement history if the caregiver is DCBS
• Medicaid application or approval information

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People with an intellectual or developmental disability who would otherwise need an ICF/IID or nursing facility and meet Medicaid financial rules.

Start with: kynect online, or in person at a Community Mental Health Center or Aging and Disability Resource Center · (502) 564-7700 · Website (opens in a new tab)

There is a waiting list, and your place is set by the date your complete application is received.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Apply for waiver-supportive Medicaid at kynect.ky.gov, by calling (855) 306-8959, or at a DCBS office
2. When your Medicaid is approved or pending, apply for the waiver on kynect
3. Or apply for the waiver in person at a Community Mental Health Center or ADRC
4. Include proof of the disability, such as an IEP, a psychological evaluation, an early intervention evaluation, or a doctor's order
5. Watch for a letter from the Department for Medicaid Services with the decision and next steps

Have these ready

• Proof of disability (IEP, psychological evaluation, First Steps evaluation, or doctor's order)
• MAP-10 form
• Medicaid application or approval information
• Photo ID and Social Security number

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People with an intellectual or developmental disability who meet ICF/IID level of care and Medicaid financial rules.

Start with: kynect online, or in person at a Community Mental Health Center or Aging and Disability Resource Center · (502) 564-7700 · Website (opens in a new tab)

There is a waiting list, and your place is based on your category of need.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Apply for waiver-supportive Medicaid at kynect.ky.gov, by calling (855) 306-8959, or at a DCBS office
2. When your Medicaid is approved or pending, apply for the waiver on kynect
3. Or apply for the waiver in person at a Community Mental Health Center or ADRC
4. Include a psychological evaluation with a full-scale IQ score and an adaptive behavior assessment
5. Watch for a letter from the Department for Medicaid Services with the decision and next steps

Have these ready

• Psychological evaluation with full-scale IQ
• Adaptive behavior assessment
• MAP-10 form
• Medicaid application or approval information

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults 18 and older with an acquired brain injury who have reached a plateau in rehabilitation, need nursing facility level of care, and need ongoing support to live safely in the community.

Start with: kynect online, or in person at a Community Mental Health Center or Aging and Disability Resource Center · (844) 784-5614 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Kentucky reported 0 people waiting for this waiver as of September 2, 2025.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Apply for waiver-supportive Medicaid at kynect.ky.gov, by calling (855) 306-8959, or at a DCBS office
2. When your Medicaid is approved or pending, apply for the waiver on kynect
3. Or apply for the waiver in person at a Community Mental Health Center or ADRC
4. Include medical records that confirm a primary brain injury diagnosis and a MAP-10 form
5. Watch for a letter from the Department for Medicaid Services with the decision and next steps

Have these ready

• Medical records showing a primary brain injury diagnosis
• MAP-10 form from a doctor
• Medicaid application or approval information
• Photo ID and Social Security number

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

Adults 18 and older with an acquired brain injury who can benefit from intensive rehabilitation, need nursing facility level of care, and meet Medicaid financial rules.

Start with: kynect online, or in person at a Community Mental Health Center or Aging and Disability Resource Center · (844) 784-5614 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Kentucky reported 0 people waiting for this waiver as of September 2, 2025.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Apply for waiver-supportive Medicaid at kynect.ky.gov, by calling (855) 306-8959, or at a DCBS office
2. When your Medicaid is approved or pending, apply for the waiver on kynect
3. Or apply for the waiver in person at a Community Mental Health Center or ADRC
4. Include the hospital discharge summary from the brain injury with CT or MRI results and a MAP-10 form
5. Watch for a letter from the Department for Medicaid Services with the decision and next steps

Have these ready

• Hospital discharge summary with CT or MRI results
• MAP-10 form from a doctor
• Medicaid application or approval information
• Photo ID and Social Security number

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People who use a ventilator 12 or more hours a day, have a permanent tracheostomy, need 24 hour high-intensity nursing, and have a primary and backup family caregiver.

Start with: kynect online, or in person at a Community Mental Health Center or Aging and Disability Resource Center · (844) 784-5614 · Website (opens in a new tab)

Kentucky reported 0 people waiting for this waiver as of September 2, 2025.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Apply for waiver-supportive Medicaid at kynect.ky.gov, by calling (855) 306-8959, or at a DCBS office
2. When your Medicaid is approved or pending, apply for the waiver on kynect
3. Or apply for the waiver in person at a Community Mental Health Center or ADRC
4. A registered nurse will complete the MAP-350, MAP-351A assessment and a person-centered service plan with you
5. Watch for a letter from the Department for Medicaid Services with the decision and next steps

Have these ready

• Doctor's notes or orders for ventilator use 12+ hours a day
• MAP-10 form
• Names of primary and secondary caregivers
• Medicaid application or approval information

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas

People 65 and older or people with a physical disability who meet nursing facility level of care and Medicaid financial rules.

Start with: kynect online, or in person at a Community Mental Health Center or Aging and Disability Resource Center · (877) 315-0589 · Website (opens in a new tab)

There is a waiting list, and your place is set by the date your complete application is received.

Apply for Medicaid first.

Steps

1. Apply for waiver-supportive Medicaid at kynect.ky.gov, by calling (855) 306-8959, or at a DCBS office
2. When your Medicaid is approved or pending, apply for the waiver on kynect
3. Or apply for the waiver in person at a Community Mental Health Center or ADRC
4. Include a doctor's statement on how the physical disability affects daily activities, and a MAP-10 form
5. Watch for a letter from the Department for Medicaid Services with the decision and next steps

Have these ready

• Doctor's statement about daily living needs
• MAP-10 form
• Medicaid application or approval information
• Photo ID and Social Security number

Apply or start here (opens in a new tab) · About this program (opens in a new tab) · Providers in the Atlas