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DADS Provider News, Alerts & Bulletins —
Home and Community-based Services (HCS)

Registration for Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Waiver Provider Conferences

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is hosting five regional conferences for IDD waiver providers in July and August 2013. The IDD waiver programs include Home and Community-based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL), Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS), and Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) programs.

The main focus of the conferences will be on direct support workers. Sessions have been designed specifically for direct support workers. The conferences will be offered regionally to facilitate their attendance. Other sessions will be available for management staff. Registration for the conferences will be free. A limited number of stipends will be offered for direct support workers to offset the cost of travel and lodging. A link to apply for a stipend is provided on the registration site.

Each conference has a limited number of slots available for attendees. The registration site can be reached via the following link: http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1068101-UdF2qGLACw

For more information contact: WaiverSurvey.Certification@dads.state.tx.us

(6/11/2013)

Data Entry into Client Assignment and Registration System (CARE) Screen 691

Effective immediately, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and the Texas Board of Nursing have determined that providers participating in the LVN On-Call Pilot Program and providers not participating in the pilot program are no longer required to enter data into CARE Screen 691.

Home and Community-based Services and Texas Home Living reviewers and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICFs/IID) surveyors will no longer cite program providers for failure to enter data into CARE Screen 691.

For more information on the LVN On-Call Pilot Program, please visit the Nursing Services Changes website at http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/nschanges/index.cfm.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this alert, please contact the DADS, Waiver Survey and Certification unit at 512-438-4163 or an ICF/IID policy specialist in the Regulatory Services Policy, Rules and Curriculum Development unit at 512-438-3161.

(6/10/2013)

Registration for the Positive Behavior Management workshop in Austin, Texas, July 8 & 9, 2013, at the Commons Conference Center is currently available.

Registration for the Denton workshop for August 1 & 2, 2013, is full.

Please click here www.kessjones.com/PBM2013.htm to view a detailed agenda and to register for this workshop.

Information regarding the Positive Behavior Management Workshops:

Working with individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) can be both a rewarding and challenging job. When an individual with an ID engages in challenging behavior, it can create barriers to establishing meaningful relationships and skill acquisition. Discover "Why Problem Behavior Occurs (and Why it is Important to Know the Answer)" as Dr. Richard Smith, University of North Texas, and instructors from the Behavior Analysis Resource Center help participants learn evidence-based best practice prevention and management techniques to support positive behavior.

The workshop offers caregivers, who provide training and habilitation services and supports, the opportunity to learn proactive approaches to establishing positive relationships with and supporting individuals who engage in challenging behavior. This session teaches participants to use reinforcement to "tip the scales" toward adaptive and positive behavior and how to safely and effectively potentially harmful behaviors. Attendees who would benefit from this workshop include direct contact staff, caregivers, family members, nurses, qualified ID professionals, case or home managers, and home supervisors.

Social Work continuing education credits will be offered. BCBA continuing education credits will be offered by the University of North Texas Behavior Analysis Resource Center for $50, due at the time of receipt. Payment can be made by cash or check. Checks should be made out to UNT Department of Behavior Analysis.

(6/3/2013)

Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Waiver Provider Conferences Planned for Summer 2013

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) will be hosting five regional conferences for IDD waiver providers in July and August 2013. The IDD waiver programs include Home and Community based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL), Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS), and Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) programs.

The main focus of the conferences will be on direct support workers. Sessions have been designed specifically for direct support workers. The conferences will be offered regionally to facilitate their attendance. Other sessions will be available for management staff. Registration for the conferences will be free. A limited number of stipends will be offered for direct support workers to offset the cost of travel and lodging.

Each conference has a limited number of slots available for attendees. Registration will begin June 1, 2013 via the DADS website. The venues have not yet been finalized; however, the dates and locations for each of the conferences are as follows:

  • Houston -- July 9-10
  • San Antonio -- July 15-16
  • Austin -- July 29-30
  • Abilene -- August 6-7
  • Fort Worth -- August 13-14

For more information contact: WaiverSurvey.Certification@dads.state.tx.us

(5/23/2013)

UPDATED: Registration for Changes in HCS Service Delivery still available for remaining sessions

Local authority and provider representatives are teaming up to provide training on Changes in HCS Service Delivery. All service coordinators and HCS program providers should attend one of these training sessions. The training will address using a team approach to identify, document and support an individual's personal outcomes. In addition to revised tools to promote discovery, changes in the Person-Directed Plan document template and development of an implementation plan will be addressed. There is no charge to attend this training.

You still have the opportunity to attend the training on the following dates at the specified locations:

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

City Time Location
Abilene 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Betty Hardwick Center
2616 S. Clack, Suite 150
Fort Worth 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 2300 Circle Drive
San Angelo 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 1504 W. Beauregard

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

City Time Location
Tyler 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tyler Junior College
1530 S. SW Loop 323
Harlingen 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Rio Grande St. Ctr. Aud.
1401 Ranger Ville Rd
Fort Worth 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 2300 Circle Drive
Sherman CANCELLED  

Thursday, May 24, 2013

City Time Location
Houston 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. United Way of Houston
50 Waugh Drive

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

City Time
San Angelo CANCELLED

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

City Time Location
Midland 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 401 E. Illinois

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

City Time Location
Fort Worth 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 2300 Circle Drive

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

City Time Location
Corpus Christi 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 212 S. Staples

Tuesday, June 13, 2013

City Time Location
Big Spring 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 501 Birdwell Ln
Corpus Christi 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 212 S. Staples
Fort Worth 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 2300 Circle Drive

To attend one of these remaining sessions, please complete the registration form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R3LMVST.

If you have questions, please contact us at hcs@dads.state.tx.us.

(5/21/2013)

Revised Appendix – HIV/AIDS in the Workplace

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) revised and deployed an appendix to several provider manuals on May 1, 2013. The appendix title is HIV/AIDS in the Workplace. For the applicable programs, this revised appendix provides general information about contractor obligations under Health and Safety Code, Chapter 85, and includes Model Workplace Guidelines and the Department of State Health Services Model Educational Program.

This shared appendix appears in the following handbooks and manuals on the DADS website.

  • Community Based Alternatives Provider Manual (CBA): Appendix VI
  • Community Living Assistance and Support Services Provider Manual: Appendix VII
  • Contracting to Provide Assisted Living and Residential Care Services (CPALRCS): Appendix IV
  • Contracting to Provide Home-Delivered Meals (CPHDM): Appendix II
  • Contracting to Provide Primary Home Care (CPPHCS): Appendix IX
  • Contracting to Provide Special Services to Persons with Disabilities (CPSSPD): Appendix V
  • Day Activity and Health Services Provider Manual (DAHS): Appendix IV
  • Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities Program Manual (DBMD): Appendix II
  • Emergency Response Services Provider Manual (ERS): Appendix IV
  • Home and Community-based Services (HCS): Appendix V
  • Medicaid Provider Manual for Long-Term Care Facilities (MPM-LTCF): Appendix IV
  • Texas Home Living Program (TxHmL): Appendix II
(5/20/2013)

Location Change: Positive Behavior Management Workshops

NOTE: Due to low registration numbers the Positive Behavior Management workshop scheduled in Abilene on July 8 & 9, 2013, has been cancelled.

Registration for a Positive Behavior Management workshop in Denton, TX – August 1 & 2, 2013 remains open. Registration for a Positive Behavior Management workshop in Austin, Texas, July 8 & 9, 2013, is now available. The venue in Austin is pending. Please click here www.kessjones.com/PBM2013.htm to view a detailed agenda and to register for this workshop.

Working with individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) can be both a rewarding and challenging job. When an individual with an ID engages in challenging behavior, it can create barriers to establishing meaningful relationships and skill acquisition. Discover "Why Problem Behavior Occurs (and Why it is Important to Know the Answer)" as Dr. Richard Smith, University of North Texas, and instructors from the Behavior Analysis Resource Center help participants learn evidence-based best practice prevention and management techniques to support positive behavior.

The workshop offers caregivers, who provide training and habilitation services and supports, the opportunity to learn proactive approaches to establishing positive relationships with and supporting individuals who engage in challenging behavior. This session teaches participants to use reinforcement to "tip the scales" toward adaptive and positive behavior and how to safely and effectively potentially harmful behaviors. Attendees who would benefit from this workshop include direct contact staff, caregivers, family members, nurses, qualified ID professionals, case or home managers, and home supervisors.

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is hosting two 1.5 day workshops:

  • Austin, TX -- July 8 & 9, 2013
  • Denton, TX -- August 1 & 2, 2013

Venue locations will be added to the registration site as they become available.

**Please note** the registration website incorrectly identified the Abilene dates as July 7 & 8. This has now been corrected to the above dates of Monday, July 8th and Tuesday, July 9th.

Social Work continuing education credits will be offered. BCBA continuing education credits will be offered by the University of North Texas Behavior Analysis Resource Center for $50, due at the time of receipt. Payment can be made by cash or check. Checks should be made out to UNT Department of Behavior Analysis.

Please click here www.kessjones.com/PBM2013.htm to view a detailed agenda and to register for this workshop.

(5/13/2013)

Amendment to 40 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 9, Intellectual Disability Services – Medicaid State Operating Agency Responsibilities

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), on behalf of the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), adopts an amendment to §9.178, concerning certification principles: quality assurance in Chapter 9, Subchapter D, Home and Community-Based (HCS) Program, with changes to the proposed text as published in the January 25, 2013, issue of the Texas Register (38 TexReg 358). The rule will be republished.

The adopted rule has been published in the May 10, 2013 issue of the Texas Register. The rule will be effective on May 15, 2013.

You may access the adopted rule in the Texas Register online at:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/May102013/adopted/40.SOCIAL%20SERVICES%20AND%20ASSISTANCE.html#93

(5/10/2013)

Draft State Supported Living Center division policy #017 now available for review

As part of an initiative to solicit stakeholder input on draft statewide policies, the State Supported Living Centers division is inviting comments on draft Policy #017, Habilitation, Training, Education, and Skill Acquisition Programs. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that individuals served at state centers receive adequate habilitation services to promote their growth, development, and independence; to minimize regression and loss of skills; and to ensure reasonable safety, security, and freedom from undue use of restraint.

If you have any comments regarding the draft policy, please send your comments to Eric Moorad, Policy/Rules Coordinator, at eric.moorad@dads.state.tx.us or via fax at 512-438-4605 by close of business Friday, May 31, 2013.

In your comments, please reference the name of the policy, the name of the document, the page number, the section, the subject matter and the line number (if applicable) so that we can respond to your comment.

(5/10/2013)

Introducing the Following New Webpage: Changes to Service Planning in HCS

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has created a new webpage dedicated to the changes in service planning that are being implemented in the Home and Community-based Services (HCS) program. This webpage can be accessed at the following link: http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/HCS/serviceplanning.html. Information that can be found on this webpage includes:

  • WHY changes are being made, WHO was involved in making the changes, WHAT changes are being made, and WHEN the changes will be implemented.
  • Access to the new forms as well as sample PDPs and IPs.
  • Access to tools such as the Discovery Guide (new tool) and the Discovery Tool (revised).
  • Link to registration for statewide training scheduled to occur April–June 2013.
  • PowerPoint that gives an overview of the changes.
  • Links to helpful information regarding person directed planning and person centered thinking.

Please send questions regarding changes to service planning in HCS to hcs@dads.state.tx.us.

(5/3/2013)

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Updated: April 19, 2013