New Program for Ohioans with Developmental Disabilities Supports Independent Living

Thanks to an exciting new program, individuals in Ohio who have an Intellectual or Developmental Disability may be able to live independently with Rest Assured Technology. Ohio Governor John Kasich’s May 2018 Executive Order supports Ohioans using technology to find more independence, while providing a $500,000 grant authorization to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. Anyone with a developmental disability who obtains assistance from an Ohio county board of developmental disabilities agency is eligible for remote support.

Remote support is the use of electronic equipment to monitor and assist people with developmental disabilities in their home. Rest Assured provides remote support through tele-caregivers (also called remote caregivers) who make sure family members with IDD are safe and doing well in their own home. The patented system uses wireless technology to provide remote, around-the-clock monitoring – while maintaining individual privacy, security and independence. Through the Rest Assured touch screen, our tele-caregivers are always there to check in and chat face-to-face.

State of Ohio officials said they have already seen a number of success stories with this program.

The funding, distributed to county board agencies, could equip over 600 state residents with remote monitoring systems by late 2018.

So now is the time to get into the program! For more information about qualifying for the remote support program, contact your Ohio county board of developmental disabilities here.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Remote support also qualifies as a Medicaid service per OAC 5123: 2-9-35. (Learn more) All Medicaid waivers cover the cost and maintenance of equipment that is used for remote support service delivery.