Skip to Content

Host Homes

Caring for Iowans With Intellectual Disabilities in a Supportive Family Environment

The Host Home program at Advantages In Life provides individuals who have disabilities with a safe, loving, and supportive home environment within Iowa. This residential program model ensures that our clients can live with a caring family or individual in that family or individual's home.

Unlike supported community living services, a host home provides our consumers with a constant family structure instead of rotating staff. The Host family or individual has the privilege of gaining another family member, and the consumer has the wonderful opportunity to join their family.

How to Qualify for Our Host Home Program

Members who are eligible for supported community living or habilitation services are automatically eligible for host home services.

Make a Referral for Host Home Services

If you’re a case manager or guardian, you can learn about our qualifications and how to make a referral for our host home program here.

How to Become a Host Home Independent Contractor

Our host home contractors are thoroughly screened to ensure an appropriate match in every situation. We make every effort to ensure that individuals are well-paired to fit their unique needs. Therefore, at Advantage in Life, we strive to connect clients to homes with their cultural orientation and individual lifestyle. We’re always in need of host home contractors with a wide range of backgrounds and experience.

Great candidates to be AIL host home contractors may include:
  • People who would enjoy companionship and giving back.
  • Retirees looking for extra income.
  • Social services professionals with experience caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • People with experience working in the medical field.
  • People who have an affinity and connection with adults with intellectual disabilities/mental health diagnoses.

Host Home Independent Contractor Responsibilities

Host home contractors are independent contractors with Advantages In Life, not employees. As a host home contractor, you will receive adequate training and will be skilled in areas of general care, medication certification, first aid, CPR, positive behavior supports, and consumer rights. You will receive support from Advantages in Life, who will monitor all of our host homes carefully to ensure the safety of the individual and that all their needs are met as they receive the highest quality of care.

As a host home provider, you will provide supervision and skills training to the person in your home. This training may include, but is not limited to, the following skills:
  • Personal hygiene
  • Cooking
  • Cleaning
  • Laundry
  • Budgeting
  • Coping skills

Some individuals may require additional support such as mobility assistance, bathing, or toileting. As a host home provider, you will document the skills training and support that you provide. You will provide room and board, daily transportation, daily support services and skills training, and relieve staff as needed. You will also attend ongoing training and meetings.

Host home independent contractors will also:
  • Provide a home-like environment, where the individual becomes a part of the family.
  • Address the medical, psychological and emotional needs of the individual.
  • Provide guidance in activities such as recreation, work and personal care
  • Perform daily documentation regarding service provision and goal work
  • Establish and maintain proficiency in our documentation portal (Therap), including ongoing training as required or necessary

Host Home Independent Contractor Qualifications

To become a host home contractor, you must be at least 21 years old. You must own or rent a house or apartment and be able to provide our client with their own bedroom as well as access to shared spaces in the home. You will provide a clear background check and complete all state-required classes (such as CPR and Medication Manager) and any training provided by Advantages In Life.

Host Home Independent Contractor Application

To apply, contact Cassie Johnson via email at   Cassie.johnson@advantagesinlife.com or by phone at  515-987-9826.

Want to Learn More About Our Host Homes? Talk to the Advantages In Life Team!