Customized Caregiver Training & Relief Program in Missouri (CCTRP)

What the CCTRP Provides

The Customized Caregiver Training & Relief Program is a state-funded initiative designed specifically for family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia in Missouri. It is administered through Community Asset Builders and supported by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

The program provides three things:

Free clinical assessments. A trained assessor evaluates the person with dementia in their home environment, documenting the current stage of cognitive decline, behavioral challenges, and care needs. This assessment serves a dual purpose — it gives the caregiver a professional understanding of where their parent stands clinically, and it creates documentation that can support later applications for state waiver programs or Medicaid.

Personalized behavioral training. Based on the assessment, the program provides hands-on training for the caregiver. This covers communication strategies for interacting with someone whose language comprehension is declining, de-escalation techniques for agitation and aggression, management of sundowning episodes, and safe approaches to activities of daily living like bathing and dressing.

Up to $700 in reimbursement. The program reimburses caregivers for respite care expenses or safety devices. This can cover in-home respite aides, adult day program fees, GPS tracking devices for wandering risk, door alarms, motion-activated lighting, and other safety modifications.

Who Qualifies

The program is aimed at family caregivers of people with a documented diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Missouri's caregiver-support materials also tie respite and supplemental services to the care recipient's functional or supervision needs: the person may need substantial assistance with at least two activities of daily living or substantial supervision because of cognitive or other mental impairment.

CCTRP is separate from MO HealthNet and its waiver programs, but eligibility and available assistance are administered through the program and regional AAA policies. Ask the AAA or Community Asset Builders to confirm current income, asset, diagnosis, and care-needs requirements before assuming eligibility.

How to Apply

Contact your regional Area Agency on Aging. The AAAs serve as the access point for CCTRP enrollment throughout the state:

• Eastern Missouri (St. Louis region): Aging Ahead
• Kansas City metro: Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Aging and Adult Services
• Springfield and southwest Missouri: Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Missouri
• Other regions: Call the DHSS toll-free elder services line or visit the DHSS Alzheimer's Disease page at health.mo.gov to find your regional AAA

The AAA will schedule the initial assessment, which typically takes place in the home where care is provided. Based on the assessment, the program develops a customized plan that addresses the specific behavioral and safety challenges the caregiver faces.

What the $700 Covers

The reimbursement is flexible but must be spent on items or services that directly support caregiving or caregiver relief:

Respite services. Hiring a professional in-home aide so the caregiver can run errands, attend medical appointments, or simply take a break. Adult day care program fees also qualify.

Safety devices. GPS tracking devices (wearable or sewn into clothing) for parents with wandering risk. Door and window alarms that alert the caregiver when exit points are opened. Motion-activated lighting to reduce nighttime fall risk.

Home safety modifications. Grab bars, non-slip flooring, stove knob covers, and other modifications that reduce the risk of injury for a person with cognitive impairment navigating their home.

The $700 is a reimbursement — you typically pay for the item or service first, then submit receipts to the program for repayment. Keep all receipts and document the connection between the purchase and the care recipient's assessed needs.

How CCTRP Fits With Other Programs

The CCTRP is often the first program Missouri dementia caregivers encounter because the barriers to entry are low. It works well as a starting point that connects families to the broader care system:

The clinical assessment from the CCTRP can inform a later DSDS assessment for waiver eligibility. The behavioral training prepares caregivers for the daily realities of home-based dementia care. And the $700 reimbursement provides immediate, tangible relief while longer-term programs (Aged and Disabled Waiver, Structured Family Caregiving Waiver, Medicaid planning) are in progress.

For families building a comprehensive care plan, the Missouri Dementia & Memory Care Guide shows how the CCTRP fits alongside other available programs, so each benefit reinforces the others instead of being used in isolation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the $700 a one-time benefit or recurring?

The research materials establish an "up to $700" reimbursement, but not a universal recurring schedule. Ask the administering AAA whether funding is one-time or whether another round is available.

Can the program help if my parent is already in a memory care facility?

The CCTRP is designed for family caregivers providing care at home. If your parent has transitioned to a residential facility, the behavioral training component is no longer applicable. However, if you are providing supplemental care (visiting daily, assisting with meals, managing medical appointments), some aspects of the program may still be available — check with your regional AAA.

How long does the program last?

Enrollment typically spans several months, covering the initial assessment, training sessions, and the reimbursement period. The duration varies by AAA and the complexity of the caregiving situation. There is no ongoing membership — once the training and reimbursement are complete, the formal program ends, though the AAA remains available for referrals and information.

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