Protecting and Strengthening Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS)

Helping protect and strengthen the services that enable people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their communities.

Everything you need to understand Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS), why they matter, the challenges they face, and how you can help protect and strengthen them. Whether you’re just learning about HCBS or preparing to speak with a legislator, you’ll find practical information, advocacy tools, and resources to help you speak up with confidence.

This toolkit includes:

1. Understanding HCBS

A short description (2–3 sentences).

  • ➜ What are HCBS?
  • ➜ Why HCBS Matter
  • ➜ Explain your issue to neighbors
  • ➜ Myths & Reality

2. Why HCBS Need Protecting and Strengthening

A short description

  • ➜ Waiting lists
  • ➜ Workforce
  • ➜ Medicaid Funding
  • ➜ DOJ Guidance
  • ➜Administrative Barriers

3. What a Strong HCBS System Looks Like

A short description (2–3 sentences).

  • ➜ deiscribe

4. What You Can Do

Learn

  • ➜ Explain to Neighbor
  • ➜ Why your voice matters

Share Your Story

  • ➜ Why Stories Matter
  • ➜ Telling Your Story
  • ➜ Tips
  • ➜ Examples

Prepare

  • ➜ Getting Ready to Speak up
  • ➜ Preparing for Meetings
  • ➜ Preparing for Phone Calls
  • ➜ Preparing Emails
  • ➜ During Your Meeting
  • ➜ After your meeting

Speak Up

  • ➜ Email Templates
  • ➜ Phone Scripts
  • ➜ Talking Points
  • ➜ Sample Letters

5. Stay Involved

  • ➜ Follow Up
  • ➜ Build Relationships
  • ➜ Stay Informed
  • ➜ Current Issues & Action Alerts
  • ➜ Future Action Alerts

6. Resources

  • ➜ Printable Handouts
  • ➜ Fact Sheets
  • ➜ FAQs
  • ➜ Videos