Community Coaching
Community Coaching is a one-to-one service for people who want to be more involved in their communities but are facing specific barriers—such as safety, behavior, mobility, or social skills—that make participation hard without extra support. It is available through the CL, FIS, and BI waivers and focuses on building concrete skills while providing routine and safety supports in real community settings.
Community Coaching at VATN
Community Coaching at VATN is individualized, relationship-focused support that helps people move from “I want to do this” to “I can actually do this in my community.” A dedicated direct support professional (DSP) works one-to-one with the person in their chosen environments—like parks, libraries, gyms, classes, or local events—to practice skills, navigate challenges, and gradually reduce reliance on paid staff as natural supports and confidence grow.
Each coaching plan is built around the person’s values, interests, and ISP outcomes, and is designed to be time-limited for each barrier or goal area. Together, we target specific skills that make community life safer, more predictable, and more enjoyable, while always honoring age, abilities, culture, and personal preferences.
How can community coaching support you?
Skill building for community participation
Practicing how to attend activities and public events, use community resources, follow schedules, and plan outings that match the person’s interests.
Transportation & wayfinding
Learning to use public transportation when available, navigating buildings and outdoor spaces, and understanding routes, landmarks, or schedules with support.
Social & relationship skills
Building positive behavior, boundaries, and relationship skills—such as asking for help, recognizing social cues, starting and ending conversations, and interacting with community members in ways that feel safe and authentic.
Routine & safety supports
Providing one-to-one support with self-management, eating, and personal care in the community, plus supervision to help the person stay safe and manage risk in new or busy environments.
Health & medical supports in the community
Monitoring health and physical condition while out in the community and supporting medication or other medical needs as outlined in the plan for supports.
The service is always delivered at a 1:1 ratio (one staff, one person) and is intended to address clearly identified barriers to community engagement—not to replace residential responsibilities or group day programming.
Who is community coaching for?
Community Coaching may be a good fit if:
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You want to participate in more community activities but need one-to-one support to do so safely or successfully.
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Group day, community engagement, or other services are not enough on their own to address specific barriers (for example, significant behavioral, medical, or mobility needs).
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You and your team are committed to building skills and natural supports over time—not relying indefinitely on 1:1 staff for the same task without progress.
Community Coaching is available only through the CL, FIS, and BI waivers and must be combined with at least one other waiver service. It cannot exceed 66 hours per week when combined with community engagement, group day, workplace assistance, and supported employment services.​
COMMUNITY COACHING INTAKE PROCESS
Authorization
After submitting your intake forms, we’ll work alongside your Support Coordinator to gather all documentation needed for service authorization. Our team prepares a comprehensive support plan and submits the authorization request to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) for review. DBHDS carefully evaluates your submitted information to ensure all clinical qualifications, regulations, and documentation requirements are met before approving services; you and your coordinator will be promptly informed once authorization is granted so you can begin your customized treatment journey.
Assessment & Plan for Supports
​A VATN supervisor reviews existing assessments (such as SIS® and other DBHDS-approved tools) and collaborates with you and your team to define clear, measurable coaching goals and activities. These are documented in the provider’s Plan for Supports and linked directly to your ISP outcomes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is community coaching?
Community Coaching is a one-to-one service that helps people build specific skills and receive safety supports so they can participate more fully in community activities, events, and routines instead of staying home or only attending center-based programs.
Who is eligible for community coaching?
Individuals enrolled in the CL, FIS, or BI waivers who are receiving at least one other waiver service and have documented barriers to community engagement in their ISP may be eligible for Community Coaching.
How is community coaching different from community engagement or group day services?
Community Coaching is always 1:1 and focuses on targeted skill-building and safety supports to address specific barriers, while Community Engagement and Group Day are typically delivered in small groups and focus more broadly on meaningful daytime activities and community participation.
What kinds of skills can community coaching help with?
Community Coaching can target skills like navigating public spaces, using transportation, following routines, making purchases, building social skills and relationships, managing behavior in the community, and handling personal care needs while out.
Where does community coaching take place?
Services are delivered in real community settings—such as stores, parks, libraries, restaurants, gyms, or classes—and may include brief time in a central location for planning or hygiene when needed, within the limits set by waiver guidelines.
Is community coaching always 1:1?
Yes. Community Coaching must be provided at a 1:1 ratio (one staff to one individual). It is not a group service, though the person may interact with others in the community as part of skill-building.
How many hours of community coaching can someone recieve?
Community Coaching, alone or combined with Community Engagement, Group Day, Workplace Assistance, and Supported Employment, cannot exceed 66 hours per week. The exact number of hours is based on assessed need and service authorization.
Is community coaching meant to be long-term?
The service itself can be approved over an extended period, but each barrier or skill area should be time-limited, with clear goals and regular review. If progress is not being made, the plan, strategies, or target barrier should be revisited.
What is the caregiver or residential provider's role?
Caregivers and residential staff help identify barriers and goals, coordinate schedules, and reinforce skills between coaching sessions so progress carries over into everyday life, rather than only occurring during 1:1 outings.