|
SPOTLIGHT ON SUPPORT: LTSS
Did you know that Access Care Partners (ACP), in collaboration with Behavioral Health Network (BHN), offers a Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) program that helps individuals with disabilities starting as young as age 3 and continuing into adulthood? LTSS provides care coordination for MassHealth ACO and MCO members ages 3–64 who have complex medical or functional needs. Together, these organizations ensure that each participant receives the right support, at the right time, in the right place. This vital yet often under-recognized resource provides families with the guidance and coordination they need to navigate services, advocate effectively, and build lasting supports.
What It Is
Through ACP’s community-based approach, the LTSS program connects children, youth, and adults with disabilities—and their families—to a coordinated network of supports across healthcare, education, and community systems. The program’s mission is simple but powerful: to empower individuals and families to live with independence, dignity, and purpose.
What Makes It Special
-
Early-Start Eligibility: A little-known but important fact is that the LTSS program serves individuals with disabilities from age 3 and up, giving families early access to services that can make a lifelong difference.
-
Full-Spectrum Navigation: LTSS care coordinators help parents and guardians navigate the disability network, connecting them to benefits, community programs, and advocacy resources.
-
Support in the School System: The program also assists families in advocating with schools, helping them understand their child’s rights under IEPs and 504 plans and ensuring educational needs are met.
-
Help Across All Social Determinants of Health: The LTSS team looks beyond disability supports to address the whole person, helping with food insecurity, housing stability, access to legal services, and other vital community resources that impact well-being.
-
Person-Centered Coordination: By integrating medical, behavioral, educational, and social supports, the LTSS team focuses on whole-person care—helping individuals thrive in their homes and communities.
Why It Matters
Families caring for a child or adult with disabilities often find themselves managing a maze of systems—MassHealth, schools, specialists, community agencies, and the legal system. Without guidance, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The LTSS program bridges these systems, providing steady, informed support so that no one has to navigate alone.
By starting services as early as age 3, LTSS helps families lay the groundwork for long-term success, making transitions between school, adulthood, and independent living smoother and more supported.
How to Learn More
If you or someone you care for has a disability and could benefit from coordinated support, reach out today. Access Care Partners and their LTSS team can help you explore eligibility and connect with the right resources.
📞 Call BHN at (413) 301-9355
✉️ Email LTSSCommunityPartner@bhninc.org
🌐 Learn more at bhninc.org/care-alliance
| 
