Life Skills Development is ELS’s plain-language description for practical teaching and coaching that helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities become more confident in everyday routines. Essential Living Support, LLC provides this skill-building in Cheyenne through the Wyoming DD Waiver services authorized in each participant’s Individualized Plan of Care (IPC).
Life Skills Development is not presented as a separate billable waiver service when another authorized service is responsible for the support. The participant’s case manager and planning team identify the applicable service, objectives, units, and setting in the IPC. ELS then connects daily instruction to those authorized goals.
Skill-building is individualized. Participants practice the routines that matter to their own safety, independence, preferences, and community life. Depending on the IPC and underlying authorized service, areas may include:
ELS may use verbal prompts, visual supports, demonstrations, repetition, task breakdown, encouragement, and hands-on practice. The aim is progress that can carry into the participant’s real home and community routines.
Adult Life Skills Development may benefit a Wyoming DD Waiver participant who wants or needs structured practice with daily routines, household participation, communication, decision-making, or community access. It can be useful for adults preparing for greater independence, adjusting to a new living arrangement, rebuilding routines after a transition, or working toward specific IPC objectives.
The appropriate level of teaching and direct assistance varies. One participant may need reminders and opportunities to practice; another may need step-by-step instruction or ongoing support. ELS follows the participant’s authorized plan and supports the person to do as much as they safely can.
For adults, practical life-skills instruction may occur within an authorized service such as Community Living Services, Community Support Services, Adult Day Services, Companion Services, or another service identified by the planning team. The underlying service determines what ELS may provide, where it may occur, and how it is documented.
ELS does not determine waiver eligibility or independently add Life Skills Development to a plan. The participant, legally authorized representative when applicable, case manager, and planning team establish authorized services and objectives through the Wyoming DD Waiver process. ELS confirms the applicable authorization before services begin.
Child Habilitation is a separate, age-specific service for eligible children. This page focuses on adult life-skills development and does not replace the Child Habilitation service description or its program requirements.
Meaningful skill-building starts with the participant’s goals. ELS coordinates with the participant, case manager, guardian or legally authorized representative, family, and other approved team members to understand current abilities, preferred teaching methods, communication needs, safety considerations, and the routines the participant wants to strengthen.
Staff connect support to the objectives and expectations in the IPC. Progress may be documented through the participant’s level of participation, prompts needed, consistency, use of the skill in a different setting, or other measures selected by the team. When a strategy is not helping or the participant’s needs change, ELS communicates with the team so the plan can be reviewed through the proper process.
Coordination also helps prevent duplication. If more than one service or provider is involved, the team should clarify which authorized service addresses each objective and when that support occurs.
Essential Living Support is a Cheyenne-based Wyoming DD Waiver and HCBS provider supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ELS emphasizes practical instruction, respectful communication, participant choice, consistent routines, and follow-through with the IPC.
We view skill-building as collaborative work rather than a checklist. Progress may be gradual, and outcomes differ according to the participant’s needs, opportunities to practice, authorization, and goals. ELS focuses on dependable support and clear communication without promising a specific result.
On this website, Life Skills Development is a consumer-friendly description of practical skill-building. For adults, the actual authorized waiver service is identified in the participant’s IPC and controls what support ELS may provide.
Examples include meals, household routines, hygiene, scheduling, money awareness, communication, self-advocacy, transportation routines, safety, and community participation. Goals are individualized through the IPC.
Instruction may occur at home, in the community, or in another approved setting when consistent with the underlying authorized service and the participant’s plan.
ELS documents support and progress according to the authorized service and communicates with the participant and approved team members. The team may review strategies or objectives when needs change.
Child Habilitation is a separate age-specific Wyoming DD Waiver service for eligible children. Adult skill-building occurs through the service or services authorized in the adult participant’s IPC.
Depending on the participant’s IPC, practical skill-building may connect with Community Living Services, Community Support Services, Adult Day Services, or Companion Services. Each service has its own purpose and authorization requirements.
Participants, guardians, families, case managers, and referral professionals can contact ELS to discuss adult Life Skills Development in Cheyenne, the participant’s authorized service, current availability, and possible next steps.