For over a decade, Careforth has been a trusted partner to caregivers across Ohio. We’ve supported families through Shared Living since 2011, a program under the Ohio Department of Development Disabilities Individual Options (IO) Waiver that empowers caregivers to care for their loved ones at home. For years, we’ve known that the need for caregiver support extends far beyond developmental disabilities. That’s why we’re thrilled to be among the first in Ohio to offer a new Medicaid waiver service called Structured Family Caregiving (SFC). 

Launched in October 2024, Structured Family Caregiving is now available through three Medicaid waiver programs: PASSPORT, Ohio Home Care, and MyCare Ohio. This program marks a milestone in our advocacy efforts and offers a powerful new resource to caregivers who provide full-time, live-in support to adults with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or age-related memory and cognitive changes. 

What is Structured Family Caregiving in Ohio?

Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) allows a family member or friend who lives with an eligible Medicaid waiver participant and qualifies to become a paid caregiver. This model is designed to support long-term, sustainable care in a home setting while also helping caregivers avoid burnout and financial strain. 

Caregivers receive: 

• A tax-free weekly stipend 
• Support from a dedicated, professional care team (including nurses and social workers) 
• Ongoing training and check-ins 
• Tools to manage health conditions and daily care routines 
• Emotional support and access to community resources 

SFC builds on the success of Ohio Shared Living and brings the same spirit of compassion and practicality to families served by other waivers. 

Who Is Eligible for Structured Family Caregiving in Ohio? 

To qualify for Structured Family Caregiving, the person receiving care must meet the following criteria: 

• Be 18 or older 
• Enrolled in PASSPORT, Ohio Home Care, or MyCare Ohio Waivers
• Require help with personal care, activities of daily living, and integration into the community 
• Live in the same home as their caregiver 

For caregivers to qualify, they must: 

• Be 18 or older 
• Live full-time with the care recipient, in either the caregiver’s home or the care recipient’s home 
• Be the primary caregiver 
• Pass a background check 
• Complete 8 hours of required training 

SFC is not a replacement for skilled nursing care and cannot be provided on the same day as some other services like out-of-home respite. 

Identifying Ohio Families Who Can Benefit 

One of the most promising aspects of Structured Family Caregiving is its broad applicability. Whether you’re caring for a parent with dementia, a sibling recovering from a stroke, or a partner with a chronic illness, SFC could be an option. 

Families may qualify when the caregiver lives in the same home as the person receiving care, provides consistent support with activities of daily living (ADLs), and when the caregiver can benefit from financial assistance, emotional support, and connection to community resources. Each caregiver’s journey is unique, but they’re all deserving of support. 

How Careforth Supports SFC Families in Ohio

At Careforth, we believe that caregivers thrive when they feel empowered, supported, and knowledgeable. That’s why we offer a clinically robust and person-centered SFC service that focuses on more than just the financial stipend. 

Caregivers on our service receive: 

• A customized care plan built around their needs and goals 
• Emotional support and someone to talk to through the highs and lows of caregiving 
• Care coaching and wellness goals for themselves—not just the person they care for 
• Guidance on managing chronic conditions and navigating complex healthcare systems 
• Tools for disease progression management, care coordination, and advocacy 

We don’t just support the person receiving care—we support the entire caregiving relationship. 

Proven Results From SFC Support 

What makes Careforth’s SFC service stand out is our track record. Because of our NCQA accreditation and investment in relationships and care coaching, our outcomes consistently produce high levels of satisfaction among caregivers and those they care for. 

84% of the caregivers we support report reduced caregiver burden. When it comes to providing care at home, 95% of caregivers say they can now do that for a longer period of time. Those receiving care also feel the health benefits. Care recipients experience 46% fewer falls and 21% fewer emergency room visits. 

Structured Family Caregiving also supports the broader system around caregivers and their loved ones. For payers, our program results in $60,000 in annual savings compared to nursing facility services. A family’s average length of stay on our service is over three years—keeping care in the comfort of their homes. 

Careforth Supports Family Caregivers 

Careforth is more than a provider—we’re a partner. We are a nationwide organization with deep roots in Ohio and a 25-year legacy of caregiver advocacy. We walk beside families, help them navigate the Medicaid system, and celebrate the everyday wins of caregiving. 

Our mission is to make sure no caregiver has to walk this path alone. With SFC now in Ohio, we have one more powerful way to do that. Get started today with Careforth in Ohio.

About the author: 

Elio Harmon is the Ohio Director of Sales and Community Partnerships at Careforth, bringing over 17 years of experience in home- and community-based services to his role. A passionate advocate for caregivers, Elio draws not only from his professional expertise but also from his personal experience as a caregiver for his 90-year-old father. Elio’s firsthand perspective fuels his dedication to helping families across Ohio access Careforth’s SFC service.