INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF
1. Evaluating the applicant and home.
(1) Interest and motivation. Explore the applicant's interest and motivation for providing services by asking questions in (A) through (H).
(A) How did the applicant learn about the applicable Home and community-Based Services (HCBS) program?
(B) Is there an existing relationship between the applicant and a specific member for placement? If so, explain the relationship.
(C) Why does the applicant wish to expand the applicant's family?
(D) Has the applicant ever had a home profile completed? If so, when, where, and what were the results?
(E) Is assuming the care of a member, in part, an attempt to work through a loss or to repeat or replace a major relationship?
(F) What expectations does the applicant have for the member?
(G) Is extended family supportive of the decision to participate in the applicable HCBS program?
(H) Has the applicant had experience with an individual with developmental disabilities? If not, the applicant is made aware of the physical and emotional requirements of a person for whom the applicant may provide care.
(2) Applicant and any other adult in the home. Knowledge of past experience and influences is vital in understanding the applicant's and other adult's current functioning. Significant areas of study include:
(A) life skills and general attitudes of the applicant;
(B) childhood relationships with parents, siblings, relatives, or other meaningful persons, asking what each adult's childhood was like;
(C) experiences, such as death, illness, divorce, or poverty, which had an impact on each person's attitudes, feelings, and expectations;
(D) whether the applicant has ever known anyone who was sexually or physically abused. If so, the applicant's experience is explored in depth and information included in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Form 06AC047E, Home Profile;
(E) concepts of appropriate behavior support and discipline and the manner in which behavior supports must be administered, especially as applied to persons with developmental disabilities;
(F) the meaning of education and training to the applicant;
(G) general physical and emotional health of household members.
(i) Adult family members must complete OKDHS Form 06AC011E, Family Health History.
(ii) If a household member has a physical disability, does the disability affect the ability to function as a provider of services in giving adequate care and supervision? If so, in what manner?
(iii) Do any household members experience a medical or emotional condition? Is any household member under professional care for any condition that requires the use of prescribed drugs or narcotics? If any household member uses prescribed drugs or narcotics, explore the extent of the use;
(H) emotional ability of family members to provide services.
(i) If any household member previously received psychiatric or psychological counseling, the circumstances and results must be explored in depth.
(ii) A release of information is obtained allowing contact with the person who provided the counseling;
(I) physical description of the applicant;
(J) employment record regarding stability of work and satisfaction derived from employment;
(K) social relationships with members of the community, including hobbies, skills, talents, and special interests;
(L) religious influences, affiliations, and activities.
(i) Does the applicant have any specific religious beliefs that may affect a member in areas such as dress code, holiday observances, medical care, daily living, or social activities?
(ii) Will the applicant ensure the member is able to attend the place of worship of the member's choice as often as desired and practice his or her faith as desired;
(M) reaction to stressful situations;
(N) current relationships within the family, including marital and parent-child relationships;
(O) relationship with children, adult and minor, living outside the home. Adult children must be interviewed by DDSD staff in writing, by phone, or in person;
(P) special training, ability, or experience in working with or caring for a person with physical disabilities, mental retardation, behavior problems, emotional disturbances, or other special needs;
(Q) explanation of any arrests or convictions, including status of parole or probation, from information obtained from the required background investigation per OAC 317:40-5-40(b); and
(R) explanation of any allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of child, adult, or animal.
(i) If there are no findings on the required searches, the absence of findings is stated as such on OKDHS Form 06ACO47E.
(ii) A copy of background investigation searches and findings is included in local and State Office records.
(3) Children in the home. Provide a description of children in the home regarding:
(A) age and physical appearance;
(B) personality, interests, and skills;
(C) strengths and problems in parent-child relationships, school adjustment, behavior, and health;
(D) ability to get along with other persons, especially persons with developmental disabilities;
(E) physical or developmental disabilities and health, including current immunizations;
(F) attitude toward having a relationship with a person who has developmental disabilities; and
(G) depending on age, attitude toward persons receiving services.
(4) Behavior support and discipline. Applicants are advised on discipline and behavior management, per OAC 340:110-5-62, and individual planning and protective intervention, per OAC 340:100-5-50 through 340:100-5-57.
(A) DDSD staff discusses with the applicant how he or she disciplines his or her natural children.
(i) If there is a divergence between OKDHS policy and the methods used to discipline natural children, DDSD staff explores how the applicant will deal with any problems that may result from this difference.
(ii) DDSD staff discusses with the applicant how the applicant was disciplined as a child and any effects it has on the applicant's attitude toward discipline.
(iii) From information obtained through training and discussion with the applicant, DDSD staff documents the applicant's understanding and acceptance of applicable Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) or OKDHS policy on OKDHS Form 06AC047E. This information is considered in the final recommendation.
(iv) DDSD staff determines whether there is agreement among all adults in the household on methods of discipline.
(v) Any applicant who does not agree to abide by applicable OHCA or OKDHS policy is not approved to provide services.
(B) Members may require behavior supports. An Individual Plan (IP) is developed by the Personal Support Team (Team) that includes the service provider.
(C) Prohibited procedures, per OAC 340:100-5-58, must be upheld in the home.
(5) Marital status and background, household composition, and children. DDSD staff documents aspects of the applicant's marital status.
(A) Current marriage, if applicable. DDSD staff describes the applicant's marriage regarding:
(i) length of present marriage;
(ii) stability of marriage;
(iii) method of resolution of marital problems; and
(iv) whether the decision to become a provider is a joint decision.
(B) Previous marriage, if applicable. DDSD staff describes previous marriage regarding:
(i) number and length of previous marriages;
(ii) reason marriages ended, if applicable; and
(iii) children involved, visitation, and child support arrangements, if applicable.
(C) Single or never married. If the applicant is not married, DDSD staff discusses:
(i) best and most difficult aspects of being single;
(ii) the applicant's source of support; and
(iii) significant adult relationships in the applicant's life.
(6) Income and money management. Verification of income and expenses is required.
(A) OKDHS Form 06AC009E, Financial Assessment, must be completed.
(B) Any financial problem areas are discussed and included in OKDHS Form 06AC047E.
(C) The applicant, and family if applicable, shows financial stability by being able to pay their bills and to live within their financial means.
(7) Teamwork and supervision, back-up plan, and use of relief. OKDHS Form 06AC047E includes a brief description of:
(A) fundamental responsibility of OKDHS to meet the member's physical, emotional, and medical needs;
(B) responsibility of the provider for the member's daily care so all areas of need are met;
(C) primary responsibility of Child Welfare staff and the DDSD case manager as liaisons in all planning with the member, natural family, provider, Team, provider agency, and court, where applicable;
(D) situations necessitating placement;
(E) varying lengths of time for which members requre services;
(F) characteristics of members requiring services;
(G) differences between service provision and adoption;
(H) importance of teamwork in:
(i) working toward reunification of the member with his or her biological family, if appropriate; or
(ii) if reunification is not possible, developing an alternative permanent plan for the member; and
(I) OHCA and OKDHS policies and procedures regarding:
(i) payment of room and board;
(ii) provision of clothing;
(iii) medical care;
(iv) behavior support;
(v) confidentiality;
(vi) education; and
(vii) religious training.
2. Consultation. Consultation may be obtained from the DDSD area residential programs manager, area manager, or State Office residential programs manager in the assessment and recommendation process.