CCSP & SOURCE Home Care in Georgia

CCSP and SOURCE are Georgia Medicaid programs within the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP). They help eligible older adults and people with disabilities receive support at home or in the community as an alternative to nursing facility care.

For families, these names can raise a practical question: how do we get help with everyday care? AmeriCare can discuss your home care needs and the steps to explore services.

Both programs focus on helping eligible people receive care in the community. A key distinction is SOURCE’s connection between primary care and enhanced case management.

The best starting point is to describe the person’s daily needs, existing coverage, and current care situation. Ask the screening team which pathway fits those circumstances.

You do not need to choose a program on your own before asking for help. A conversation with Georgia’s aging and disability network can clarify the appropriate next step.

Daily assistance can make familiar routines easier to manage. AmeriCare’s current services include personal care and companionship. The support delivered depends on the care plan, approved services, and staffing.

Discuss home care options ↗

Georgia lists personal care, adult day services, home-delivered meals, alternative living services, and caregiver respite among CCSP/SOURCE program options. Case management helps coordinate approved support.

These are program-level options. They are not a list of every service AmeriCare provides. Ask the care coordinator what is available and appropriate, and ask each provider which services it delivers.

When talking with your care coordinator, bring up the parts of the day that are hardest to manage. That can help focus the conversation on practical needs rather than a list of program names.

Eligibility involves both care needs and Medicaid requirements. Georgia’s EDWP guidance describes nursing facility level of care, Medicaid eligibility, a choice to receive community services, and participation in one waiver at a time. Older adults and younger people who meet applicable disability requirements may be considered.

SOURCE requires full Medicaid eligibility and nursing home level of care. A comprehensive assessment helps determine the support needed.

Age, a diagnosis, or a Medicaid card alone does not establish approval for these services. Explain the person’s actual daily needs to the screening team and ask what assessments or documents are required.

Talk with AmeriCare ↗

Start through Georgia’s aging and disability network. The statewide number is 1-866-552-4464.

1. Request screening. Explain the care situation and ask about EDWP, CCSP, or SOURCE.
2. Gather requested information. The process may require medical, income, and asset documentation.
3. Ask about timing. Waitlists may apply. Screening considers the urgency of unmet needs.
4. Participate in the assessment. The program team evaluates care needs and develops an appropriate plan.
5. Discuss provider arrangements. Once the relevant approvals and service arrangements are in place, ask AmeriCare about staffing for your area and schedule.

If you already have a case manager, contact them about requesting AmeriCare for approved home care services. An inquiry with AmeriCare does not replace enrollment or authorization.

A first conversation is easier when you can describe the situation clearly. Consider having:

• The person’s age, county, and ZIP code.
• Medicaid or other insurance information.
• The name of a current case manager, if applicable.
• The daily tasks that need assistance.
• The person’s current living arrangement.
• A general description of medical conditions and mobility needs.
• The preferred schedule and available family support.
• Information about a planned discharge or a recent change in needs.

You can begin with basic information. Ask how to provide medical or financial documents securely when they are needed.

These are Medicaid-funded programs, but coverage and any required contribution must be confirmed for the individual. Georgia’s CCSP fact sheet explains that some eligible participants contribute toward service costs while others do not.

Before care begins, ask the care coordinator and provider:

• Which services are authorized?
• Is there a required contribution or patient liability?
• Are any requested services outside the approved plan?
• Who should we contact if coverage changes?

Avoid assuming that every service is free or that all requested hours will be covered. Clear answers help families plan.

Caring for a parent, spouse, or adult loved one can affect work, rest, and family routines. Start by identifying the tasks you handle now and where additional help would make the biggest difference.

Ask about support around bathing, meals, mobility, and other daily activities. Share the times when family help is available and the times when it is limited.

The right provider conversation should address both the care needed and how services will work in your home. Ask:

• Do you serve our county and ZIP code?
• Can you staff the approved schedule?
• How do you match a caregiver with a client?
• Who supervises the care and answers questions?
• What happens if a caregiver is unavailable?
• How do you communicate changes to the family?
• How do you coordinate with the case manager?
• What needs to happen before the first visit?

If you are considering a provider change, discuss it with the case manager before ending current arrangements. Ask how to coordinate the transition and reduce gaps in care.

AmeriCare provides personal care and companionship services for older adults and people with disabilities. Our website identifies AmeriCare as state-licensed and ACHC accredited.

Speak with a care coordinator ↗

AmeriCare’s website lists our Kennesaw office at 2950 Cherokee Street NW, Suite 626, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Contact us with your county, ZIP code, and requested schedule to discuss current availability. Coverage and staffing may differ by location and care requirements.

If you are a case manager or discharge planner, share the type of service requested, anticipated timing, and the best contact for coordination. Our team can discuss whether the referral fits our current capacity.