(a) Habilitation Training Specialist (HTS) Services are:

• (1) authorized as a result of needs identified by the team and informed selection by the service recipient;
• (2) shared among service recipients who are members of the same household; and
• (3) authorized only during periods when staff are engaged in purposeful activity which directly or indirectly benefits the service recipient.  Staff must be physically able and mentally alert to carry out the duties of the job.  At no time are HTS services authorized for periods during which the staff are allowed to sleep.

(b) HTS Services may be provided in community residential service settings defined in OAC 340:100-5-22.1 including:

• (1) agency companion services as described in OAC 317:40-5-1 through 40-5-39;
• (2) as provided in accordance with Daily Living Supports policy at OAC 317:40-5-150; and,
• (3) as provided in accordance with Specialized Foster Care Policy at OAC 317:40-5-50 through 40-5-76; or
• (4) services for people with Prader Willi syndrome.

(c) HTS Services are based on need and limited to no more than 12 hours per day per household in any setting other than settings described in OAC 340:100-5-22.1, Community Residential Supports, except with approval in accordance with OAC 340:100-3-33, Service authorization, that the increased services are necessary to avoid institutional placement due to:

• (1) the complexity of the family or caregiver support needs.  Consideration must be given to:
• (A) the age and health of the caregiver;
• (B) the number of household members requiring the caregiver's time; and
• (C) the accessibility of needed resources; and
• (2) the resources of the family, caregiver, or household members that are available to the service recipient.  Consideration must be given to the number of family members able to assist the caregiver and available community supports; and
• (3) the resources of other agencies or programs available to the service recipient or family.  Consideration must be given to services available from:
• (A) the public schools;
• (B) the Oklahoma Health Care Authority;
• (C) the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitative Services;
• (D) other OKDHS programs; and
• (E) services provided by other local, state, or federal resources.

(d) When it appears that approval of an exception is needed to prevent institutional placement, the case manager submits the request which identifies the circumstances supporting the need for an exception to the area manager.

(e) The DDSD area manager or designee must approve, deny, or notify the case manager of issues preventing approval within 10 working days.