(a) The agency providing Agency Companion Services (ACS) complies with Oklahoma Health Care Authority and Oklahoma Department of Human Services policies and procedures governing all aspects of service provision.

(b) The provider agency is responsible for all employee or contract provider related activities detailed in this Subchapter.

(c) In the event the provider agency wishes to discontinue services immediately due to an emergency, the provider agency cooperates with the Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) to secure alternative services in the least restrictive environment.

(d) The provider agency ensures that services provided meet requirements of OAC 340:100-5-22.1, unless different requirements are stated in this Section.

(e) If the agency serves as the service recipient's representative payee, the agency must adhere to the requirements of OAC 340:100-3-4.1.

(f) The provider agency acts immediately to remedy any situation posing a risk to the health, well-being, or provision of specified services to the service recipient.

• (1) In the event of such a risk, the provider agency immediately notifies DDSD of the nature of the situation and notifies DDSD upon the resolution of the threatening situation.
• (2) The provider agency's program coordination staff contacts and informs the DDSD case manager within 24 hours of an incident or injury.  The provider agency completes and submits incident and injury reports to DDSD in accordance with OAC 340:100-3-34.

(g) The provider agency ensures that only one service recipient is served in a provider home.  Exceptions may be approved by the DDSD area manager or designee.

(h) When the provider agency has knowledge of problems occurring in the placement, the provider agency's program coordination staff immediately schedules a meeting with the companion, the service recipient, the service recipient's legal guardian or advocate, the DDSD case manager and other appropriate DDSD staff to resolve the issues involved.  If resolution of the issues does not occur at the meeting, any participant is to contact the DDSD area manager or designee and the provider agency for resolution.

(i) When a change in the provider agency is requested by the service recipient or the companion, all participants attempt to resolve the issues.  No change in the provider agency occurs unless the DDSD area manager or designee agrees that all issues have been discussed.

(j) The decision to remain or terminate services with the provider agency is the choice of the service recipient or his or her legal guardian.

(k) When a service recipient transfers from a provider agency, the provider agency ensures that the service recipient has a 30-day supply of medication and a seven-day supply of food, household supplies, and personal supplies.

(l) The responsibilities of the provider agency's program coordination staff are:

• (1) to visit the provider home daily during the first week of placement;
• (2) to visit the home a minimum of three times per month in accordance with OAC 340:100-5-22.1;
• (3)to allow the needs of the service recipient to determine the frequency of all other visits;
• (4) to coordinate and submit monthly reports to the provider agency for submission to the DDSD area office; and
• (5) to communicate regularly with the DDSD case manager regarding any changes in the household or any other program issues or concerns.