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OTHER RESOURCES

Helpful Information for Families and Caregivers

Being away from home and away from the resources you probably know well in your community may feel scary and confusing. It may also feel very overwhelming to navigate being the caregiver of a special needs child. We have compiled the lists of resources below in the hope that they will be helpful to you and make your time away from home easier. The resources are organized by category tabs (at the top) and can be searched by keyword(s). Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. Think of LilyPads Housing as your 'Medical Concierge'. If we don't have an answer, we will do our best to find it!

  • Who qualifies to be a host?
    LilyPads Housing hosts must live within 8 miles or twenty minutes of the University of Virginia Hospital. (We especially welcome hosts that live within walking distance!) To be a host in our program, you also need to be able to provide a safe, clean, comfortable place to stay and access to a bathroom. Our hosts are as diverse as our guests – families, retirees, young couples, and single women and men. Every host holds our same core values of compassion, generosity, trust and a focus on human connections.
  • What is the process to become a LilyPads Host?
    Interested hosts must complete a host application (found above). Once you’ve submitted a host application, we’ll set up an interview and site visit at your home. During this visit, we can help ease concerns, answer any questions, and review the host manual with you. Prospective hosts must also pass a criminal background check. If you have any questions about hosting prior to submitting an application, please feel free to give us a call. We'd love to talk with you more about it!
  • How are families screened and what if an issue arises while we are hosting?
    We do a thorough screening of all prospective guests. We conduct criminal background checks on anyone over the age of 18. We connect with their assigned social worker at UVA (if applicable). Lastly, we speak with a professional reference for all guests over the age of 18. This thorough screening process of prospective guests helps ensure that problems are a very rare occurrence. However, if a host has any difficulties or concerns, they should contact LilyPads and we will immediately address the issue, and if necessary, make other housing arrangements for the guest.
  • I don't allow alcohol/tobacco/smoking/vaping/children/etc. in my home. Does this prevent me from becoming a host?
    No. You set the rules for your guests, including restricting any behaviors. You control all aspects of the stay, including the length of stay, whether or not to accept children and/or patients as guests, how many guests you prefer at one time, accessibility to your home, and any other issues you feel are important. You can also change your hosting preferences at any time. Hosting is flexible so that it can best fit your lifestyle. LilyPads maintains an extensive database of our hosts' preferences, which allows us match guest's needs with our hosts' preferences.
  • I have a varied schedule. Can I specify when I can and cannot accept guests?
    Of course! We understand that your schedule and availability may change. You can accept guests as your schedule permits and you can say “no” to hosting whenever it is inconvenient.
  • What about liability?
    All guests are required to submit a liability release before arriving at the host home. We encourage hosts to check their homeowners or renters liability insurance coverage and inform their insurance carriers that they are volunteering with LilyPads Housing and possibly add an inexpensive personal liability policy to increase their coverage.
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