Family Recruited Employee (FRE) Program
The Family Recruited Employee Program was created by Imagine! in the late 1990s to solve a critical gap in services. Families often identified trusted individuals with the skills to care for their loved ones receiving Medicaid waiver support, but hiring them directly was difficult due to complex independent contractor rules.
Imagine! designed the FRE Program to bridge this gap, allowing families to recruit and pay caregivers through Medicaid funding for services such as Adult Supported Living Services (SLS), Children’s Extensive Services (CES), or the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Program.
We recognize that family is often the most trusted resource, which is why our FRE services allow you to pay trusted family members to provide personalized care. This approach preserves dignity and comfort, avoiding the need for unfamiliar agency staff, ensuring your loved one’s specific needs are met with understanding and familiarity.
This program is a collaborative partnership between your family, your chosen caregiver, and Imagine!, ensuring your loved one receives the personalized, Medicaid-funded care they deserve in a seamless and supportive way.
Introducing Our New Family Services DSP
Are you ready to empower independence and enhance the quality of life for yourself or a loved one? At Imagine!, we’re excited to offer our new Family Services DSP service designed specifically for families in our Family Recruited Employee Program. Imagine! Family Services DSPs will travel to your home and support you with one of the key features of the FRE Program, including Enhanced Homemaker, Community Connector, and Personal Care Services.
With our Family Services DSPs, you’ll benefit from:
Hands-on support with daily tasks to help you live comfortably and confidently at home.
Skill-building opportunities that foster social connections and community engagement.
Compassionate assistance with personal care, promoting dignity and independence.
Contact us today to learn how our Family Services DSPs can make a difference in your daily routine.
SLS Options
RESPITE INDIVIDUAL HOURS
No more than 9.75 hours within any 24 hour period.
RESPITE *DAYS*
This is not 24 hour care. This is 10 hours of Respite within any 24 hour period, no more or no less. *Please note: Respite “Days” and individual Respite hours cannot be used within the same 24 hour period.
RESPITE GROUP
This category is only for households with 2 or more eligible siblings living in the same home.
PERSONAL CARE
Hands on assistance with feeding, bathing, dressing, eating and hygiene can occur outside the State of Colorado. All other services under PC must occur within the State.
ENHANCED HOMEMAKER
Service goal must be training/teaching the client to improve skill level with cooking, cleaning or laundry. Service must take place in the home of the client. Habilitation includes direct training and instruction to the participant, which is more than basic cueing to prompt the participant to perform a task. Habilitation shall include a training program with specific objectives and anticipated outcomes. The primary intent must be to provide habilitative services to increase independence of the participant.
CES Options
RESPITE INDIVIDUAL HOURS
No more than 9.75 hours within any 24 hour period.
RESPITE GROUP
This is not 24 hour care. This is 10 hours of Respite within any 24 hour period, no more or no less. *Please note: Respite “Days” and individual Respite hours cannot be used within the same 24 hour period.
RESPITE *DAYS*
This category is only for households with 2 or more eligible siblings living in the same home.
YOUTH DAY SERVICES
Provides care and supervision to children 12-17 years old while the primary caregiver works, volunteers, seeks employment, or goes to school.
COMMUNITY CONNECTOR
Provides services and supports identified in Service Plan to assist consumer in developing abilities and skills necessary to participate in community life (such as community education or training and volunteer activities). Assists consumer in building and developing relationships and natural supports in the community. Services may include socialization, adaptive skills, and personnel to accompany individual in community. Enables consumer to utilize the community as a learning environment, through conducting services in a variety of settings.
Key Features of the FRE Program
Enhanced Homemaker
Our qualified team is here to elevate your loved one’s skills in cooking, cleaning, and laundry—all in the comfort of their own home. This personalized service goes beyond simple reminders; we create tailored training programs with specific goals and anticipated outcomes. Together, we’ll foster independence and empower individuals to master these essential tasks, achieving their personal aspirations every step of the way.
Community Connector
At Imagine!, we offer personalized services and support to help your loved one become an active member of their community. Our program provides opportunities for them to build and maintain relationships while enhancing their social skills and fostering meaningful connections. Their Family Recruited Employee, as outlined in their Service Plan, will work with them to develop essential social, adaptive, and motor skills, giving them the tools they need to thrive. We believe that community is a fantastic learning environment, which is why we provide the support necessary for your loved one to engage in community activities. For those who prefer individualized attention, our FRE services offer one-on-one support, making meaningful community access a reality!
Personal Care Services
Our Personal Care Services are designed to assist your loved one in completing essential daily tasks, including hygiene care, physical assistance with eating, dressing, grooming, bowel and bladder care, menstrual care, money management, grocery shopping, first aid, medication administration, and help with scheduling and attending routine medical or dental appointments.
We understand that allowing someone else to assist with personal needs can be challenging. That’s why our qualified Family Recruited Employees provide the compassionate care your loved one deserves—ensuring they feel safe, healthy, and happy in their own home, all while respecting their privacy.
Ready to Uncover a World of Opportunities?
Find your voice and feel confident within Imagine! services, where we make sure you can always trust in your abilities. Get started by clicking on the button below.