Group Homes and Residential Living for Adults with Disabilities

What Residential Care for Adults with Disabilities Involves

Residential programs serve adults who need support beyond what periodic home visits can provide – typically due to intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental illness, co-occurring behavioral and medical conditions, or a combination of these. Beacon specifically serves adults with complex support profiles, including individuals with co-occurring behavioral and medical conditions that many residential providers are not set up to manage.

• 24-hour staffing with specialized training. Beacon’s direct support professionals are trained for individuals with significant behavioral and medical complexity, including behavioral strategy implementation, crisis de-escalation, and clinical coordination.
• Built-in clinical and nursing oversight. Beacon’s clinical and nursing staff are part of each home’s core support model – monitoring health conditions, coordinating with external providers, and participating in each person’s interdisciplinary team.
• Individualized behavioral support plans. Each person’s plan is developed by a Beacon behavioral health professional and integrated into daily care, with direct support staff trained to carry it out consistently.
• Staffing calibrated to acuity. Staffing ratios are set based on the actual needs of the individuals in each home, enabling Beacon to serve people who require more intensive support than a standard residential setting provides..

Our homes sit in ordinary residential neighborhoods. The people we support participate in day programs, community activities, and vocational opportunities, with a stable and familiar home environment to return to.

Residential Care Settings and Placement Types

Beacon offers four residential settings across our service states. The right fit depends on how much support a person needs day-to-day and the living environment that best matches their goals.

• Group homes are licensed residential settings where a small number of adults with disabilities live together with 24-hour on-site staff. Beacon group homes are available across all six states we serve.
• Supported living serves adults who live in their own homes or apartments and receive scheduled staff visits rather than 24-hour on-site support. This model is suited for individuals who have greater independence but need regular assistance with specific tasks, health management, or community connection.
• Adult foster care (Michigan) is the residential framework licensed by LARA for adults in Michigan who need 24-hour supervision and personal care but do not require continuous nursing facility care. Beacon-Michigan is one of the state’s largest AFC providers.

If you’re unsure which setting is the right fit, Beacon’s admissions team can help identify the best option based on the individual’s support needs, funding source, and personal preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a group home for adults with disabilities?

A group home is a licensed residential setting where a small number of adults with disabilities live together and receive support from trained staff. Homes are typically located in ordinary neighborhoods, with staff present around the clock to assist with personal care, medication, daily routines, and community access. Staffing levels and the number of residents per home vary based on the support needs of the people living there and each state’s licensing requirements.

What is the difference between a group home for adults with disabilities and supported living?

In a group home, the person moves into a home that Beacon operates and staffs. In a supported living arrangement, the person lives in their own home or apartment and Beacon staff come to them on a scheduled basis. Group homes are suited for individuals who need more intensive daily support, while supported living is designed for people who have greater independence and benefit from regular but not constant assistance. Beacon’s intake process helps identify which setting best matches each person’s current goals and support needs.

How do I refer someone to a residential program for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities?

Contact Beacon directly through our referral form or by phone. Our admissions team will ask about the individual’s diagnosis, current support needs, behavioral and medical history, and funding source. We’ll identify whether a current opening matches the person’s needs and walk the referral source through our intake process.

Does Medicaid cover group home care for adults with disabilities?

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, funded through Medicaid, cover many residential services for adults with disabilities. Waiver availability and eligibility vary by state. Beacon works with individuals and families to identify applicable funding sources, including state-specific Medicaid waivers across the states we serve. Private pay is also an option where waiver funding is not available or pending.

What is adult foster care in Michigan?

Adult foster care (AFC) is the residential model licensed by the state of Michigan for adults who cannot live independently but do not require continuous nursing care. AFC homes provide 24-hour personal care, supervision, and support in small residential settings. Beacon is one of Michigan’s largest AFC providers, serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness, and complex co-occurring conditions across more than 25 counties.

What behavioral and clinical supports are available in Beacon group homes?

Each Beacon home has access to clinical and nursing oversight as part of its staffing model. Behavioral support plans are developed in coordination with qualified behavioral health staff and integrated into each person’s daily care. Staff receive specialized training to support complex behavioral presentations, de-escalate crises, and carry out individualized strategies consistently. Clinical staff monitor health conditions, coordinate with external providers, and participate in each person’s interdisciplinary support team.

How does Beacon’s referral process work?

Beacon’s referral process starts with a conversation about the person’s support needs. Beacon’s admissions team reviews diagnostic history, behavioral and medical needs, funding source, and geographic preference. If we have an appropriate opening, we conduct a more detailed intake assessment before confirming placement.