We’ll be walking you through how I became a paid caregiver for my own adult son who has autism and an intellectual disability. If you have ever wondered if you can get paid to take care of your adult child with special needs, this episode is for you. I share the exact steps I took here in Colorado to become a paid family caregiver through Medicaid waivers, but this information can help you no matter what state you live in since many states have similar programs. We cover what paid family caregiving actually is, how Medicaid and HCBS waivers work, and the difference between self directed care, also called CDASS, and agency directed care, also known as PASA. I also break down the different types of waivers, including the SLS waiver, the CFC waiver, and the Children's waiver, and explain why we chose the path we did for our son. You will hear about the process of interviewing caregiving agencies, what homemaker hours and personal care hours are, how much you can expect to get paid, and what training like CPR and mandated reporter classes are required. I also share info on which states have strong consumer directed models, which states allow parents of minors to be paid caregivers, and where you can start your own research no matter where you live. If you are a special needs parent or caregiver wondering about guardianship, Medicaid waivers, or how to get paid to care for your loved one, this episode is packed with real, honest information to help you get started. Follow us on Instagram for more info. on special needs benefits, services, and to find a like-minded community of other special needs adult caregivers!