What is the ALW Program?

The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver that was created by legislation that directed the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to develop and implement the program to test the efficacy of assisted living as a Medi-Cal benefit. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approves waiver renewals in five-year increments, and expansion of the program into additional counties. Currently, the ALW ​is available in 15 counties and the current five-year waiver term is approved for March 1, 2024 – February 28, 2029. The speaker is Marie A. Vernon, Program Director, All Hours Adult Care