Community Living Supports & Respite
Building Independence. Supporting Families. Strengthening Communities.
Every person deserves the opportunity to participate in their home, school, and community with confidence.
At Hickory Learning Group, our 1915(i) Community Living Supports (CLS) and Respite services are designed to help children and families build meaningful life skills while promoting independence, community participation, and caregiver well-being.
These home and community-based Medicaid services support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by helping them develop the skills needed to live more independently while providing families with the support they need to thrive. In North Carolina, 1915(i) services are available to eligible Medicaid beneficiaries and are intended to promote independence in home and community settings rather than institutional care.
Community Living Supports
Learning Through Everyday Life
Community Living Supports focuses on helping individuals develop practical skills that increase independence and participation in everyday life.
Rather than practicing skills in a clinic alone, our team works alongside individuals in the environments where those skills are naturally used—at home, in the community, and during everyday routines.
Every service is individualized to the person's goals, interests, strengths, and support needs.
What Does Community Living Supports Look Like?
Our Community Living Supports professionals help individuals develop meaningful life skills through real-world experiences such as:
Building daily living and self-care skills
Increasing communication during everyday interactions
Developing social relationships
Participating in community activities
Practicing safety skills
Improving problem-solving and decision-making
Building routines and organizational skills
Increasing independence at home
Exploring recreational and leisure activities
Preparing for greater independence throughout adulthood
Learning occurs where life happens—because that's where skills are most meaningful.
Community-Based Learning
Some of the best learning opportunities happen outside the home.
Depending on each person's goals, Community Living Supports may include experiences such as:
Grocery shopping
Restaurants
Parks and playgrounds
Libraries
Community events
Recreational activities
Volunteer opportunities
Public transportation training
Fitness and wellness activities
Independent living practice
These experiences help individuals build confidence while increasing participation within their own communities.
Individualized Support
No two people have the same goals.
Some individuals are learning to become more independent with daily routines.
Others are preparing for employment, increasing social participation, or developing skills that support greater independence as they grow older.
Our team works closely with families and care teams to develop supports that reflect each person's unique priorities while promoting dignity, choice, and meaningful participation.
Respite Services
Supporting the Entire Family
Caring for a child or family member with complex support needs can be both rewarding and demanding.
Respite services provide families with planned, temporary support, allowing caregivers time to rest, recharge, attend appointments, spend time with other family members, or simply take a well-deserved break.
We believe supporting caregivers is an essential part of supporting the individual.
When caregivers have opportunities to care for themselves, they are better equipped to continue providing the love, consistency, and encouragement their family depends on.
North Carolina's 1915(i) Respite service is designed to provide temporary relief for caregivers while ensuring individuals continue receiving safe, appropriate support.
More Than Supervision
Our respite services are built around engagement, safety, and meaningful participation.
While families take time to recharge, individuals continue participating in activities that encourage learning, independence, recreation, and community involvement whenever appropriate.
Every interaction is an opportunity to build confidence, relationships, and quality of life.
Our Philosophy
At Hickory Learning Group, Community Living Supports and Respite are about much more than filling hours.
They're about creating opportunities.
Opportunities to learn.
Opportunities to build independence.
Opportunities to strengthen relationships.
Opportunities to participate more fully in family and community life.
Every service is centered around helping individuals experience greater confidence, greater independence, and a greater sense of belonging.
Who Can Benefit?
Community Living Supports and Respite may be appropriate for individuals who:
Need support developing daily living or community skills.
Benefit from structured opportunities to practice independence.
Want to increase participation in home and community activities.
Need assistance building social, communication, or adaptive skills.
Have caregivers who would benefit from planned periods of respite and support.
Eligibility for 1915(i) services is determined through North Carolina Medicaid and your Tailored Plan or care management team. These services are available for eligible individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and certain other qualifying conditions.
Our Goal
Our goal isn't simply to provide support.
Our goal is to help individuals become more independent, more connected to their communities, and more confident in everyday life—while ensuring caregivers have the support they need to continue doing what they do best.
Because stronger families create stronger communities.