Disability Development Resources, LLC
DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
Providing… Direction. a Difference. Results.
Under Titles VI and VII, of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, DDR prohibits discrimination in admissions, programs, services, activities or employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability. DDR must make a reasonable accommodation to allow a person with a disability to take part in a program, service, or activity. For example, this means that if necessary, DDR must provide sign language interpreters for people who are deaf, a wheelchair accessible location, or enlarged print materials. It also means that DDR will take any other reasonable action that allows you to take part in and understand a program or activity, including making reasonable changes to an activity. If you believe that you will not be able to understand or take part in a program or activity because of your disability, please let us know of your disability needs in advance if at all possible.
Table of contents
Welcome! 4
MISSION 5
VISION 5
VALUES 5
SECTION 100 INTRODUCTION 6
101 Business Description 6
102 Introductory Statement 6
103 Service Specifications 6
104 Direct Support Professional Relations 13
SECTION 200 EMPLOYMENT 13
201 Equal Employment Opportunity 13
202 Employee Categories 14
203 Business Ethics and Conduct 14
204 Hiring of Relatives 14
205 Immigration Law Compliance 15
206 Conflicts of Interest 15
207 Outside Employment 15
208 Unemployment Insurance 16
209 Abandonment of Employment 16
SECTION 300 DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES 16
301 Direct Support Professional Code of Conduct 16
302 Confidentiality 18
303 Non-Solicitation 19
304 Termination/Return of Property 19
305 Direct Support Professional Job Description 19
306 Consumer Medical/Restraining Procedures Considerations 20
307 Providing Services in the Direct Support Professional’s Home 21
308 Cancellations 21
309 No Call/No Show 21
310 Backups 21
311 Smoking 22
312 Financial Responsibility 22
SECTION 400 PAYROLL 23
401 Pay Rate 23
402 Time Sheets/Authorization to Work 24
403 Respite, Daily 25
404 Pay Periods/Pay Dates 25
405 Payroll Deductions 26
406 Garnishments 26
407 Payroll Advances 26
408 Overtime 26
409 Pay Increases 26
SECTION 500 WORK CONDITIONS 27
501 Training 27
502 Documentation Requirements 28
503 Initial Fingerprint Clearance Reimbursement 28
504 Renewal Fingerprint Clearance Reimbursement 28
505 Equipment 28
506 Transportation 28
507 Insurance 29
508 Worker’s Compensation Insurance 29
509 Drug Testing 30
510 Paid Meeting Attendance 31
511 Incentives 31
512 Incident Reporting 31
513 Safety 33
514 Illness 33
515 Children at Work 34
516 Workplace Violence 34
517 Complaints/Grievances 34
518 Progressive Discipline 35
519 Term of Employment 35
SECTION 600 MISCELLANEOUS 35
601 Volunteers 35
602 Extended Leave of Absence 35
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK RECEIPT ACKNOWLEDGMENT 36
Welcome!
The team of Disability Development Resources, LLC, (DDR) welcomes you and wishes you every success with our company.
We believe that each Direct Support Professional contributes directly to the growth and success of DDR, and we hope you will take pride in being a member of our team. Therefore, your comments and contributions to the improvement of our organization are encouraged and appreciated.
This Employee Handbook was developed to describe Arizona DES/DDD requirements and to outline the policies, programs and benefits available by both DDD and DDR. Please familiarize yourself with the contents of this Employee Handbook and feel free to ask questions about anything that is not clear to you. Receipt of this Employee Handbook serves as an acknowledgement of all information contained herein and binds the Direct Support Professional to it.
Note: Direct Support Professional is hereafter referred to as “DSP.” DSPs are Employees for purposes of this DSP Employee Handbook.
MISSION
To provide Consumers with the best possible services that promote their independence, self-esteem, and abilities in the least restrictive environment, in a timely manner, and with the greatest possible attention to details that ensure they are satisfied with our services and that their needs are met.
VISION
Individuals with developmental disabilities have the right to lead self-directed lives, make informed decisions, and deserve a support system designed to promote these endeavors so a high quality of life can be achieved.
VALUES
• DDR’s team members respect and support every Consumer’s abilities, desires and strengths
• Advocacy and full community inclusion for Consumers is vital to their quality of life
• Promoting Consumer independence is a top priority
• Honesty is the best policy
• Communication with all team members is key
• Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to our DSPs
• Training is a necessary component of quality DSPs
• Documentation with attention to details is critical to a quality organization
• DSPs are recognized for a job well done
• Have fun & enjoy life!
SECTION 100 INTRODUCTION
101 Business Description
DDR was established in 2003 to provide home and community based services for the developmentally disabled population in the Phoenix Metropolitan area.
DDR currently offers Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) of Respite, Habilitation, Attendant Care, and Habilitation, Individually Designed Living Arrangements, as well as Person Centered Planning Facilitation to Consumers who are eligible for services through the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES/DDD). DDR will be expanding the services offered in the near future.
102 Introductory Statement
This Employee Handbook is designed to familiarize DSPs with DDR and provide information about working conditions, DSP benefits, policies and procedures. DSPs are expected to read, understand and comply with all the provisions of this manual and any complementing documentation.
DDR reserves the right to revise, supplement or rescind any policy, procedure or portion of the Employee Handbook at any time as is deemed appropriate, in the sole and absolute discretion of DDR’s Owner/Executive Director. DSPs will be notified of such changes as they occur.
103 Service Specifications
Currently DDR provides the following Home and Community Based Services (HCBS):
A. Respite (RSP)[1]:
Service Description:
A service that provides short-term care and supervision consistent with the health needs of the person to supplement care to provide a safe living environment and/or to support or relieve caregivers for the benefit of the person. Services are provided as a planned or unplanned non-routine interval of rest and/or relief to a family member or other unpaid person who resides with and provides ongoing care for a Consumer.
Service Requirements and Limitations:
1. This service may be provided in the following settings:
1.1 The Consumer’s home;
1.2 Any community site inspected and approved by the Department of Economic Security;
1.3 The home of the Qualified Vendor or direct service staff that has been inspected and approved by the Department of Health or the Department of Economic Security;
1.4 A group home or developmental home (child or adult) licensed by the Department of Economic Security;
1.5 A Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing facility; or
1.6 A certified ICF/MR.
2. When services occur in any setting other than the Consumer’s home, the setting must meet all licensing, certification, and inspection requirements.
3. If out-of-home respite is provided in a licensed facility, the facility shall not provide services to more individuals than its license allows.
4. This service shall not be provided when the Consumer is hospitalized.
5. This service shall not be provided to Consumers living in group homes, vendor supported developmental homes (child or adult), skilled nursing facilities, non-state operated ICFs/MR, or Level I or Level II behavioral health facilities, or to Consumers living independently.
6. The annual limit for respite services is 600 (six hundred) hours.
Service Goals:
1. To provide relief to a family member or person caring for a Consumer.
2. To provide supervision either in or outside of the home, as well as supporting the emotional, physical and mental well being of the Consumer.
Service Objectives:
The Qualified Vendor shall ensure that the following objectives/outcomes are met:
1. Determine the Consumer’s routine plan of care from the Consumer’s caregiver.
2. As identified in the Consumer’s Individual Support Plan (ISP) and/or routine plan of care, provide respite care and service to the Consumer.
2.1 Provide for the social, emotional and physical needs of the Consumer.
2.2 Ensure that the Consumer receives medication as prescribed.
2.3 Provide first aid and appropriate attention to injury and illness.
2.4 Ensure provision of food to meet daily dietary needs. Therapeutic diets requiring specialized ingredients or food supplements will be supplied by the family.
2.5 Assist the Consumer in utilizing transportation to support the Consumer in all daily living activities, e.g., day treatment and training, employment situation, medical appointments, visits with family and friends, and other activities.
2.6 Carry out any programs identified in the Consumer’s ISP and/or routine plan of care.
Service Utilization Information:
1. The amount of respite is determined on a yearly basis through the ISP process not to exceed the amount set by Federal or State Medicaid rules, 720 (seven hundred and twenty) hours.
2. The ISP team shall decide, prior to the delivery of services, who and how service delivery will be monitored.
3. When families have more than one (1) Consumer eligible for Respite from the Division and all will be receiving Respite at the same time, the hours will be deducted from the authorized level of Respite for each Consumer.
4. Families receiving Respite for Consumers who wish other non-eligible individuals to receive care will be responsible for the costs of serving the non-eligible individual. The Division will only pay for services delivered to Consumers authorized to receive such service. If the non-eligible individual(s) are utilizing the same caregiver, the applicable multiple client rate would apply for the eligible Consumers. For example, if two (2) Consumers were eligible and a third (3rd) individual was sharing the direct service provider, the three (3) person multiple client rate would be the proper rate for the two (2) eligible Consumers, not a two (2) person rate.
5. The Qualified Vendor shall not serve, at one time, more individuals than can safely be provided for, and not more than three (3) people by one (1) direct service staff person, giving considerations to compatibility (e.g., age, diagnoses, behavior, sex, etc.).
6. Consumers shall be in the care of a certified/contracted Respite provider at all times while in Respite service. The Consumer will not be transferred to another certified/ contracted Respite provider without the consent of the parent/Consumer’s representative.
B. Habilitation (HAH)[2]:
Service Description:
Services provide a variety of interventions designed to maximize the functioning of persons with developmental disabilities. Services may include, but are not limited to: habilitative therapies, special developmental skills, behavior intervention and sensorimotor development. Services are designed to assist individuals in acquiring, retaining and improving the self-help, socialization and adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in home and community-based settings. The services include the provision of training in independent living skills or special developmental skills, orientation and mobility training, sensorimotor development, and behavioral management.
Service Requirements and Limitations:
1. This service may be provided in the following settings:
1.1 The Consumer’s home
1.2 A community setting chosen by the Consumer or Consumer’s representative.
2. This service shall not be provided while the Consumer is attending day treatment and training.
3. Any center-based approach must be approved by the District Program Manager/designee and meet all licensing, certification, and inspection requirements.
4. This service shall not be provided when the Consumer is hospitalized.
5. This service shall not be provided to Consumers living in group homes, vendor supported developmental homes (child or adult), skilled nursing facilities, non-state operated ICFs/MR, or Level I or Level II behavioral health facilities.
6. This service shall not supplant services that are available to the Consumer through an educational or vocational mandate.
7. This medically-necessary service is not intended to meet a need for day care.
8. This service is not intended to replace any natural supports available to the Consumer in their home or community. If natural supports become available, the need for this service may be reassessed as natural supports may reduce the need for this service.
9. This service shall not be provided in conjunction with a daily residential habilitation service.
10. This service shall not be provided in schools or while being transported by the school.
11. This service shall be used to transfer a skill from the trainer to the Consumer and not solely for the purpose of supervision.
Service Goals:
1. To enable the Consumer to acquire knowledge and skills and be a valued member of his/her community based on his/her own choices.
2. To provide training to increase or maintain the Consumer’s self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills to reside and participate successfully with his/her family in his/her own community.
3. To assist the Consumer in achieving and maintaining a quality of life that promotes the Consumer’s vision of the future.
4. To adjust the dependence on this service as natural supports become available in the Consumer’s home and or community.
5. To encourage and develop the identification and use of natural supports and reduce the need for this paid support.
Service Objectives:
The Qualified Vendor shall:
1. In accordance with the Consumer’s Individual Support Plan (ISP) processes, assist in developing an individualized support plan, including:
1.1 Establish individualized, time-limited training objectives/functional outcomes that are based on assessment data and input from the Consumer and the Consumer’s representative who will allow the Consumer to achieve his/her long term vision.
1.2 Develop strategies for habilitative objectives/functional outcomes within ten (10) business days after initiating service. The specific training strategy for each objective/outcome shall identify the schedule for implementation, the frequency and duration of services, data collection methods, and teaching strategies. A teaching strategy is required for each behavioral outcome identified by the ISP and is a series of steps to teach the Consumer a single behavioral outcome.