Upon approval of the home profile per OAC 317:40-5-40, the companion, provider agency, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) case manager, agency companion services (ACS) staff, and others as appropriate meet to develop a service authorization budget. The service authorization budget form is used to develop the individual service budget for the member's program and is updated annually by the member's Personal Support Team (Team).
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(1) The companion receives:
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(A) a salary based on the level of support needed by the member. The level of support is determined by authorized DDSD staff per OAC
317:40-5-3. The ACS rate for the:
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(i) employer model includes funding for the provider agency for the provision of benefits to the companion; and
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(ii) contractor model does not include funding for the provider agency for the provision of benefits to the companion.
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(B) any combination of hourly or daily respite per Plan of Care year to equal 660 hours in order to provide respite to the companion as reflected on the service authorization budget form.
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(C) Habilitation training specialist (HTS) services:
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(i) may be approved by the DDSD director or designee when providing ACS with additional support represents the most cost-effective placement for the member and the member has an ongoing pattern of not:
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(I) sleeping at night; or
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(II) working or attending employment services, with documented and continuing efforts by the Team.
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(ii) may be approved when a time limited situation exists in which the ACS provider is unable to provide ACS and the provision of HTS will maintain the placement or provide needed stability to the member; and must be reduced when the situation changes.
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(iii) must be reviewed annually or more often if needed, which includes a change in agencies or individual companion providers.
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(2) The service authorization budget form reflects the amount of room and board the member pays to the companion. If the amount exceeds $450, the increase must be:
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(A) agreed to by the member and, if applicable, legal guardian;
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(B) recommended by the Team; and
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(C) submitted with written justification attached to the service authorization budget form to the DDSD area manager or designee for approval.
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(3) A back-up plan identifying respite staff is developed by the provider agency program coordination staff and companion, prior to the meeting to discuss the service authorization budget.
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(A) The back-up plan:
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(i) is submitted to the DDSD case manager for review and approval;
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(ii) describes expected and emergency back-up support and program monitoring for the home; and
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(iii) is reviewed initially and annually by the SFC specialist.
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(B) The companion and provider agency program coordination staff equally share the responsibility to identify approved respite providers who are:
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(i) knowledgeable about the member;
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(ii) trained to implement the member's Individual Plan (Plan);
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(iv) when possible, involved in the member's daily life.
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(C) The spouse or other adult residing in the home may provide ACS in the absence of the companion, when trained per OAC
340:100-3-38.
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(D) The spouse or other adult residing in the home cannot serve as paid respite staff.
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(4) The companion and respite staff are responsible for the cost of their meals and entertainment during recreation and leisure activities. Activities selected must be affordable to the member and respite staff. Concerns about affordability are presented to the Team for resolution.
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(5) The member is allowed therapeutic leave per OAC
317:40-5-3.