Providers & Case Managers: Questions and Answers
On July 25th, 2006, we hosted a meeting at FWSDC for community providers and case managers. One of the activities was to pass out index cards for participants to use to ask questions. Those questions and their answers are posted here.
Questions
- What will your process be for auto-selection of Providers on August 1, 2006?
- Will these Providers have the option of declining to serve if they feel they cannot adequately meet the needs of the person?
- Are you going to include the provider and Bureau of Developmental Disability Services (BDDS) service coordinator in the initial support plan meeting so that the provider has adequate time to plan for the placement?
- As a provider, is there some support and protection against staff who are not doing their jobs and are terminated?
- Will there be support in place for individuals with extreme behavior once they are placed? Where will that support come from?
- Will durable medical equipment be going with the consumer (i.e., specialized bathtubs, lifts, hospital beds, etc.)?
- On the Project Management Summary List there is no indication that day supports have been identified. Will this change?
- Is there a criteria list for individuals who are to be placed in the 16 homes, i.e., diagnosis, behavioral issues...in order to meet the Level of Care (LOC)?
Answers
1. What will your process be for auto-selection of Providers on August 1, 2006?
Every effort is being made to preclude auto-selection of a provider. First, we'll identify those providers who are currently providing services in the district identified for the final people needing providers. Next, we'll send those providers an e-mail listing the individual's name and stating that a referral packet is now available to all providers in that district. Providers will have 5 days to request a packet and make an offer of services, including a target date to receive a client. We'll select the providers using the earliest date(s) or selection will be made randomly by drawing numbers. The final selection will of course involve the individual's family and/or guardians.
2. Will these Providers have the option of declining to serve if they feel they cannot adequately meet the needs of the person?
Providers in the area will submit to support an individual after they have received information that provides them an informed choice. Providers choose to serve and are not drafted to do it. We certainly would not want to choose any provider that could not meet the individual's needs nor would we expect a provider who is not capable to choose to serve someone.
3. Are you going to include the provider and the Bureau of Developmental Disability Services (BDDS) service coordinator in the initial support plan meeting so that the provider has adequate time to plan for the placement?
Yes, providers are expected to attend the support plan meeting. The meeting is scheduled about 60 days, or soon thereafter, in advance of the exit date. BDDS service coordinators are notified of the meeting. We do recognize that a person geographically distant may not be able to attend in person but they can participate through calling in on a conference line. This can be arranged with the transitions coordinator.
4. As a provider, is there some support and protection against staff who are not doing their jobs and are terminated?
Each provider is responsible for their staff. Certainly, if your staff are just undereducated in providing care, we can and do help them in a number of ways with that issue. Your staff will have training consistent with the person-centered plan prior to the individual's arrival through shadowing and other training. We also provide DVD's with information on dysphagia, etc., that are person-centric and tailored to that individual's specific health needs.
5. Will there be support in place for individuals with extreme behavior once they are placed? Where will that support come from?
Prior to that idividual's transition, providers will make arrangements with behavioral staff during the person-centered planning process. The State is planning for a crisis intervention group that would be available to provide consultation and training. This process is being developed now. Staff from Fort Wayne will be available to provide support based on their knowledge of the person in exceptionally difficult cases.
6. Will durable medical equipment be going with the consumer (i.e., specialized bathtubs, lifts, hospital beds, etc.)?
The individual's personal possessions including furniture will accompany the individual. These include wheelchairs, for example, but not a specialized bathtub as a built-in fixture. Subsequent to the initial meeting, matters of this type will be resolved prior to the update - about 21 days prior to exit date.
Note: Durable medical equipment is dealt with just like other needs the individual has in order to be supported in the community. Needs are surfaced at the initial meeting and a plan put together to address those needs at the update meeting. This meeting is also where there should be discussion and resolution on the process for assuring that the equipment is available at the Exit. Where we are able, we are sending out existing medical equipment with the individual. We have been able to either send existing equipment with the individual or we have purchased new equipment where we had shared use at the facility for all the people that have transitioned to date. No one would move to the community lacking the equipment that is necessary to support them.
7. On the Project Management Summary List there is no indication that day supports have been identified. Will this change?
Providers are responsible for securing day services. Our FWSDC transitions staff will facilitate the process to the best of their ability.
8. Is there a criteria list for individuals who are to be placed in the 16 homes, i.e., diagnosis, behavioral issues...in order to meet the Level of Care (LOC)?
Support home criteria has been developed by the Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DDARS) and each person evaluated to determine if this is an appropriate home for the person. The Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) made the initial determination and that was reviewed by behavioral staff and DDARS using the established criteria.
