CAP is the Community Alternatives Program for Persons with Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities (CAP-MR/DD) is a special Medicaid program started in 1983 to serve individuals who would otherwise require care in an intermediate care facility for people with the mental retardation/developmental disabilities (ICF/MR). It allows these individuals the opportunity to be served in the community instead of residing in an institutional or group home setting.

CAP-MR/DD operates under a Medicaid home and community-based services waiver granted by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). HCFA approves the services, the number of individuals that may participate, and other aspects of the program. The participants must be at risk of institutionalization. The Medicaid cost for community care must be cost effective in comparison to the cost of ICF/MR care.

Based on an assessment of the person's needs, the following CAP-MR/DD services are offered. Each client has a local case manager provided by the area program who arranges, coordinates, and monitors the services as well as other aspects of the individual's community care. In addition to case management, waiver services that may be provided are:

• Supported Living Services
• Adult Day Health Care & Adult Day Care
• Augmentative Communication Devices
• Respite Care – Community Based
• CAP-MR/DD Waiver Supplies & Equipment
• Crisis Stabilization
• Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
• Vehicle Adaptations
• In-Home Aide Services
• MR Personal Care
• Personal Emergency Response System
• Personal Habilitation Services