In-Home and Community Support Services (IHCS) help individuals live more independently at home and be more involved in their communities. These services, provided through Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), give people extra help with things they need to do every day.
A trained support worker can assist with:
Daily Activities – Like cooking, cleaning, getting dressed, and staying organized.
Community Participation – Helping individuals go places, meet people, and do fun activities in their neighborhood.
Building Skills – Learning how to take care of themselves, stay safe, and make decisions.
Health and Safety – Reminders to take medicine, eat well, and follow a daily routine.
The goal is to help each person live a happy, independent life while being connected to their community.
Companion Care
What Is It:
Companion care provides supervision, social support, and assistance with daily activities for individuals who need help staying safe, engaged, and independent at home or in the community.
What Companions Do:
Companions help with light daily tasks, accompany individuals to appointments or community outings, encourage healthy routines, and offer meaningful companionship. The focus is on safety, social connection, and maintaining quality of life—not medical care or hands-on personal care.
Who It's For:
Individuals who are mostly independent but benefit from support, structure, and friendly assistance throughout the day.
Habilitation Aide
What Is It:
Habilitation services are designed to help individuals build or strengthen everyday living skills so they can be more independent at home and active in their community.
What Habilitation Aides Do:
They work one-on-one with individuals to practice skills like cooking, budgeting, cleaning, communication, social interaction, personal safety, and using community resources. The goal is learning and personal growth—helping each person reach their highest level of independence.
Who It's For:
Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want to learn new skills or improve existing ones, with hands-on guidance and consistent support.
Homemaker/Chore
What Is It:
Homemaker and chore services provide help with household tasks that an individual cannot safely or independently manage on their own.
What Aides Do:
Staff assist with light cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and organizing the home environment. For chore services, this may include heavier or seasonal tasks such as moving furniture, deep cleaning, or minor home safety upkeep.
Who It's For:
Individuals who need practical household support to maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable living space while preserving their independence.