You asked how many people are enrolled in the private assisted living pilot program and how many are on the waiting list for it.

As of December 7, the program had 75 enrollees (the maximum number allowed by state law) and 293 on the waiting list, according to Kathy Bruni, head of the Department of Social Services' Alternate Care Division. However, only 61 appear to currently meet financial eligibility for the program, according to Bruni. The program has served a total of 180 clients since it began in 2003.

This pilot program helps to pay for assisted living services (but not room and board) for people in private assisted living facilities who have used up their own resources. The pilot has two parts; one is funded through a Medicaid waiver, the other solely with state money. They have a combined cap of 75 participants. Through this pilot, the state pays for assisted living services for seniors whose financial situation qualifies them for the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, but only if the facility they live in decides to participate. Fourteen assisted living services agencies (ALSAs) participate in the program as do 26 assisted living facilities, known as managed residential communities (MRCs), the locations where the ALSAs provide their services to clients. Some of these ALSAs serve more than one MRC.

HN: dw