Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is now recruiting both home providers and residents for its Domiciliary Care (Dom Care) Program. Dom Care is a foster care program that allows caring individuals to receive a monthly payment in return for providing a safe home to older adults, or younger adults with special needs.

To become a Dom Care provider an approval and certification process must be completed. It includes home inspections by both a care manager and the Allegheny County Health Department. Providers are also required to have certification in First Aid and CPR. Additionally, they must present personal and financial references, submit to a police record search and obtain a medical clearance from a physician. Care managers are available to help applicants through the process. Anyone interested in becoming a resident in a Dom Care home can inquire on their own or they can be referred by someone else – including family members, health care professionals or agencies that serve people with disabilities.

In return for the room, board and personalized care they receive, Dom Care residents pay a set monthly fee. Those who are on a limited income, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), may be eligible for a financial supplement to assist with the payment and to assure that they have personal spending money. The benefits of being a Dom Care provider include companionship, support from professional staff, and a monthly payment for the services they give. But most importantly, it is a feeling of satisfaction and well-being for being able to share a warm and caring home. To learn more about the Dom Care Program, to make a referral for a consumer or to find out how to become a provider, call the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Dom Care Program at 412-350-5105 or visit the Allegheny County website.