Welcome to Hart-Support Living Unit 1: What is Hart-Supported Living? Learning objective: in this unit, we will learn how to describe Hart Supported Living.  
 
So, what is Hart-Supported Living? Hart Supported Living is a program of the Department for Aging and Independent Living that provides Kentuckians with a disability the option to create and manage their own plan of supports. Hart Supported Living is a Kentucky program that was started in 1992 through the passage of state legislation. Grants available through Hart Supported Living come from state funds. 
You can view Kentucky Revised Statute 210.770, as well as the Kentucky Administrative regulation and policy manual for Hart Supported Living in our Resources section. 
 
The supports and services received through Hart-Supported Living are self-directed. This means services are designed and managed by the person with a disability, sometimes with assistance from family or other support team members. 
 
The following are services that can be paid for through Hart-Supported Living grants: Attendant, personal care, and home companion services, community resource development staff, homemaking support, Respite care, Recreation and Leisure activities, Live-In Supports, Life Skills Training, Support coordination Consultants, Employment-related expenses, Transportation, Home modifications to a home you own or rent, Adaptive technology and equipment, Assistive Technology, and Vehicle modifications. 
 
Hart Supported Living grants allow a person with a disability to hire and manage their own employees, either alone or with the assistance of support staff. Participants may also choose to contract with an agency to provide services.   
 
What can’t be provided? The statute prohibits Hart Supported Living funds from providing services that would:  
* Isolate people who are disabled from the general population 
*  Prevent adults with disabilities from having as much control over their living arrangements as they can manage 
* House more than three unrelated people with disabilities in a group living arrangement. 
 
Regulations also require that Hart-Supported Living funds may not be used for:  
* On-going rent or mortgage payments  
* Payment of a medical insurance premium or unpaid medical bills  
* Supplementation of wages for staff in other publicly-funded programs  
* Modifications costing over $3,500 to rental property  
* A home improvement not related to the person’s disability  
* The cost of transportation to segregated activities or to programs primarily for persons with disabilities  
* Rental of a vehicle for more than thirty days in a fiscal year  
* Purchase of a vehicle 
 
Any individual with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can apply for Hart Supported Living funds. Applicants may live alone, with a family member, or in a group setting. A person with a disability may have family, friends, or others assist in creating a plan to apply for Hart Supported Living funds. The application is as follows:  
* Applicants apply for Hart Supported Living funds each year.  
* Each plan is reviewed and given a rank.  
* Grants are awarded down the list till no funds remain.  
There is no waiting list. If an applicant was not selected to receive funding, they are encouraged to apply again next year. 
 
If the plan is funded, the person with a disability chooses who provides their services. They may choose an agency or hire and manage their own employees to provide needed services. 
Visit the Hart-Supported Living website at www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/hslp.aspx.  
 
Learning Stop 
 
Number One: True or False? Hart Supported Living program uses the ADA definition of disability to determine eligibility. 
 
The correct answer is true. 
 
Number Two: Hart Supported Living provides funds for people with disabilities to hire someone to provide transportation to work or community activities. 
 
The correct answer is true.