APD > Supported Living

  1. What is Supported Living?

    Supported Living is a category of residential services for adults with developmental disabilities who require ongoing support to live in their own homes or apartments. Supported Living services provide the necessary supports for a person to live in their own home, become integrated into the community, and fully participate in community life. The services are individualized to meet the needs of each client.
    An individual may receive Supported Living Coaching and/or Personal Supports under the umbrella of Supported Living services.

    • A Supported Living Coach (SLC) provides training and assistance in various areas, helping an individual acquire the skills necessary to live and function as independently as possible in their home and community.
    • A Personal Supports Provider offers ongoing assistance with daily living tasks such as eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, shopping, and meal preparation.

  2. What is a Supported Living setting?

    The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) describes a Supported Living setting as a client’s own home where they live and receive Supported Living Coaching services and/or Personal Supports. No more than three people with disabilities can live in the same Supported Living setting. A Supported Living setting is not intended to foster a group home environment.
    The phrase own home is defined in the iBudget Handbook as, “A house, apartment, or comparable living space meeting community housing standards, which the recipient chooses, owns or rents, controls, and occupies as a primary place of residence,” (iBudget Handbook, pg.1-9). The requirements for a Supported Living setting, outlined in Florida Administrative Code rule 65G-5.004, are as follows:

    1. The housing unit must have been available for sale or lease to any member of the community.
    2. The housing unit must be the client's own choice and within the client's personal financial resources.
    3. The client's name must appear on the lease or mortgage either singularly, with a roommate, or with a guarantor. Adding a client’s name to a lease agreement of a provider does not constitute a Supported Living arrangement.
    4. Neither the provider nor the immediate family of the provider shall serve as a landlord or have any interest in the ownership of the housing unit.
    5. The housing unit must meet HUD housing quality standards to ensure the client's safety and wellbeing.

  3. What are the responsibilities of a Supported Living Coach?

    SLCs are responsible for providing training and assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities, helping them achieve their goals of living as independently as possible in their own home or apartment. SLCs customize their teaching methods and strategies to suit the individual's abilities, learning needs, and preferences. SLCs may offer support in:

    • Finding and Securing a Home: SLCs may assist individuals in finding suitable housing options based on their preferences and needs. They may help with researching available housing, arranging viewings, understanding lease agreements, and transitioning into a new home.
    • Home Maintenance: SLCs may provide training and support to individuals in maintaining a clean and organized living environment. This may include teaching basic housekeeping skills, such as cleaning, laundry, and organization to ensure the individual can maintain their home independently.
    • Budgeting and Financial Management: SLCs may help individuals develop and maintain a budget, manage bills, and understand financial responsibilities. They may provide guidance on tracking expenses, setting financial goals, and accessing community resources for financial assistance if needed.
    • Meal Planning and Nutrition: SLCs may support individuals in planning healthy meals and developing cooking skills. They may teach the basics of meal planning, grocery shopping, and food preparation, based on the individual's dietary needs and preferences.
    • Community Integration: SLCs may help individuals connect with their local communities and participate in social activities. They may assist in finding recreational programs, community events, and other opportunities for engagement and socialization.

    SLCs may provide support in these and other areas to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently and thrive in their communities.
    SLCs must also provide emergency response services for their clients, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  4. What are the requirements for documenting supported living coaching services provided for APD clients?

    Documentation requirements are described in the iBudget Handbook. SLCs can also refer to the SLC Service Delivery Documentation Checklist, a quick, comprehensive list of service delivery documentation requirements.

  5. What are the qualifications for a Supported Living Coach?


    1. Providers of supported living coaching services must be at least 18 years of age and meet, at a minimum, one of the following education and experience requirements:
      • Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in education, rehabilitative science, business, or a related degree.
      • Have an associate’s degree or two years of college from an accredited college or university and have two years of documented direct experience with individuals with developmental disabilities.
      • Have one year of college from an accredited college or university and three years of documented direct experience in working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
      • Have four years of direct professional experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, which may substitute for college on a year for year basis.

      Direct experience is work and/or volunteer experience in a professional, supervised setting in which the employee or volunteer interacts with individuals with developmental disabilities.

    2. An SLC must have a professional and personal history that reflects good moral character and conduct. The SLC application process requires submitting two references and undergoing a level 2 background screening. This screening includes an APD Attestation of Good Moral Character, a local law enforcement criminal background check, and a FDLE/ FBI screening through the AHCA Background Screening Clearinghouse.

    3. An SLC must complete pre-service training requirements prior to providing services for APD clients.

  6. What are the training requirements for a Supported Living Coach?

    Supported Living Coach (or Provider) training requirements can be divided into three categories: pre-service, basic requirements, and in-service. Training requirements are outlined in the iBudget Handbook, and listed below for quick reference:

    1. Pre-service training requirements must be met prior to providing services to APD clients. These include:

    2. Basic training requirements must be met within the first 90 days of service (unless otherwise noted). These include:
      • Direct Care Core Competencies
      • HIPAA (complete within first 30 days of providing service)
      • HIV/AIDS Infection Control
      • CPR and First Aid
      • Overview of APD Waiver Requirements (The Requirements for all Waiver Providers PowerPoint training meets the requirement for this course.)
      • Basic Medication Administration and Basic Medication Validation (complete prior to administering or supervising the administration of medication)
      • Behavioral Emergency Procedures (complete within 30 days of providing services to an individual with behavioral challenges that require reactive strategies)
      • Introduction to Social Security Work Incentives (SSWI) must be taken within the first year of service. Completion of this course counts toward meeting in-service training requirements.

      New Supported Living Coaches must take the following courses on the APD iConnect client data system, before access to APD iConnect can be granted:


    3. In-service training requirements must be met on an annual basis. Supported Living Coaches must complete eight hours of in-service training each year.

    Please note: some training requirements are completed once, while others must be completed on a recurring basis. Refer to Appendix B and C in the iBudget Handbook for more information on recurring training timeframes.

  7. Where can I find and register for required courses?

    Refer to the APD Training Portal webpage on APD’s website to access required training.

  8. What is the difference between a Supported Living Provider and a Supported Living Coach?

    The titles Supported Living Provider and Supported Living Coach are often used interchangeably because a Supported Living Provider is an entity (person or business) that provides supported living coaching services. Please note the difference between the terms below:

    • A Supported Living Provider is an agency or independent (solo) contractor that provides supported living coaching services to individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in or are moving into supported living settings. A Supported Living Provider must complete the provider enrollment process and maintain a Medicaid Waiver Service Agreement with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) to provide services to APD clients.
    • A Supported Living Coach (SLC) is a person who provides direct training and assistance services to clients who reside in or are moving into supported living settings. An SLC may be the employee of a Supported Living Provider agency, or the owner/operator, or an independent Supported Living Provider.

  9. What is the process for becoming a Supported Living Provider?

    The process for enrolling with APD to provide supported living coaching services involves several steps and includes meeting pre-service training requirements and becoming a Medicaid Waiver Provider through the Agency for health Care Administration (AHCA). For a comprehensive checklist of the provider enrollment process, visit the Provider Enrollment page on APD’s website.

  10. How are Supported Living Providers paid for services?

    Supported Living Providers are reimbursed for “billable” direct services provided to APD clients by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the agency that administers Florida Medicaid. Supported Living Providers must complete a billing process through AHCA/Florida Medicaid for the services that are rendered.
    Supported Living Providers must ensure that the services that are provided are “billable activities”, and that service delivery is documented according to the guidelines in the iBudget Handbook in order to receive reimbursement for services.

  11. What is the rate of pay for a Supported Living Provider?

    Refer to the Florida Medicaid Developmental Disabilities Individual Budgeting Waiver Services Provider Rate Table (Waiver Provider Rate Table) for provider rates.