ZUNI
Humankind, formerly known as Presbyterian Homes and Family Services, will be relocating all of its residents to new care facilities.

A home for intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, Humankind is seeking homes for their 38 residents following a Medicaid waiver redesign.

“Waivers are funds given by Medicaid to the caretakers of adults with such abilities,” Colleen Flick, spokesperson for Humankind, said. “With the new rules, group homes are only allowed to have four or five at the most on a property.”

Consisting of four homes and an apartment complex, Humankind, which would have celebrated its 50th anniversary next year. no longer qualifies for these waivers, and with the lack of funding must find new homes for their residents.

“What we’re trying to do is put some of these individuals in sponsored homes,” Flick said. “These are set up similarly to a foster-care situation. Up to two of our residents can go into these sponsored homes and join a family.”

Those who offer their homes up to be sponsored homes will be compensated to help cover the cost of caretaking, just as those who participate in foster-care are.

“The sad thing is that most of the residents have been here for 20 years,” said Flick. “They’ve enjoyed a safe environment and they’ve built friendships with other residents.”

Residents have until March 31, 2017, to be relocated.

Those interested in being a sponsored home can call Humankind’s Sponsored Homes program should contact Juliette White at 757-242-6131, on Monday-Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.