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(1) Providers of Specialized Foster Care (SFC) are required to meet all applicable standards outlined in OAC 317:40-5-40.
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(2) Providers of SFC are required to receive competency based training as outlined in OAC 340:100-3-38. The provider keeps all required training up to date and submits documentation to the SFC specialist at the time training is completed.
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(3) The provider participates as a member of the service recipient's Team and assists in the development of the service recipient's Individual Plan, as described in OAC 340:100-5-50 through 100-5-58.
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(4) The provider documents and notifies the case manager of any changes in behaviors or medical conditions of the service recipient within one working day. Incident reports are completed by the SFC provider and submitted to the DDSD case manager in accordance with OAC 340:100-3-34.
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(5) The SFC provider is available to the service recipient at any time.
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(6) The primary employment of the SFC provider is to provide SFC services to the service recipient. The SFC provider does not have other employment unless the other employment has been pre-approved by the supervisor of the DDSD foster care unit.
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(A) Generally, providers are not approved for other employment because the provider must be available before and after school or vocational programs and often during the day due to holidays or illnesses.
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(B) If, after receiving approval for other employment, it is found that the SFC provider's employment interferes with the care, training, or supervision needed by the service recipient, the provider must determine if he or she wants to terminate the other employment or have the service recipient moved from the home.
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(C) The DDSD does not authorize Homemaker, Habilitation Training Specialist, or respite services in order for the SFC provider to perform other employment.
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(7) The provider does not deliver services that duplicate the services mandated to be provided by the public school district pursuant to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B).
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(8) The provider allows the service recipient to have experiences, both in and out of the home, to enhance the service recipient's development, learning, growth, independence, community inclusion, and well-being, while assisting the service recipient to achieve his or her maximum level of independence.
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(9) The provider ensures confidentiality is maintained regarding the service recipient in accordance with the DDSD confidentiality policy, OAC 340:100-3-2.
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(10) The provider is sensitive to and assists the service recipient in participating in the service recipient's choice of religious faith. No service recipient is expected to attend any religious service against his or her wishes.
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(11) The provider has a valid driver's license, maintains a motor vehicle in working order, and complies with requirements of OAC 317:40-5-103, Transportation.
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(12) The provider arranges, and ensures that the service recipient obtains, a medical and a dental examination at least annually, and is responsible for obtaining regular and emergency medical services as needed.
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(13) The provider transports or arranges transportation, using adapted transportation when appropriate, for the service recipient to and from school, employment, church, recreational activities, and medical or therapy appointments.
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(A) SFC providers may sign a transportation contract.
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(B) The provider must assure availability and use of an approved and appropriate child auto restraint system as required by law in transporting children and, in cases of adults receiving services, any additional restraints identified as necessary in the Plan.
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(14) The provider assures the person receiving services is clean, appropriately dressed, and on time for activities and appointments.
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(15) The provider ensures no other adult or child is served in the home on a regular or part-time basis without prior approval from the DDSD area manager or designee.
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(16) The provider does not provide services to more than three individuals regardless of the type of service provided, including SFC, DCFS foster care, respite, baby-sitting, or other such services. Any exception to this paragraph must be approved in writing by the director of DDSD or designee prior to authorization or service delivery.
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(17) The provider permits visitation and monitoring of the home by authorized DDSD staff. In order to assure maintenance of standards, some visits are unannounced. The visits occur at least monthly and are not intended to be intrusive but to ensure the safety and well-being of the service recipient.
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(18) The provider encourages and cooperates in planning visits in the SFC home by relatives, guardians, or friends of the service recipient. Visits by the service recipient to the home of friends or relatives must be approved by the service recipient's legally authorized representative.
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(19) The provider abides by the policies of DDSD found at OAC 340:100-3-12, Prohibition of client abuse, and OAC 340:100-5-58, Prohibited procedures. The provider is prohibited from signing an authorization for school personnel to use physical discipline or corporal punishment.
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(20) The provider notifies the DDSD case manager when the need arises for substitute supervision in the event of an emergency, in accordance with the Backup Plan, as specified in OAC 317:40-5-59.
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(21) The provider provides written 30-day notice to the service recipient and DDSD case manager when it is necessary for a service recipient to be moved from the home.
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(22) The SFC provider does not serve as representative payee for the service recipient.
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(23) The provider ensures the service recipient's funds are properly safeguarded.
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(24) The provider assists the service recipient in accessing and using entitlement programs for which the service recipient may be eligible.
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(25) The provider must use the room and board reimbursement payment to meet the service recipient's needs, as specified in the room and board contract.
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(A) The provider retains a copy of the current room and board contract in the home at all times.
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(B) Items purchased with the room and board reimbursement include, but are not limited to:
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(C) All items purchased for the service recipient with the room and board payment are the property of the service recipient and are given by the provider to the service recipient when a change of residence occurs.
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(D) The room and board payment is made on a monthly basis and is prorated based on the actual days the service recipient is in the home on the initial and final months of residence.
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(26) The provider maintains a Personal Possession Inventory (DDS-22) (new form number 06AC022E) for each service recipient living in the home.
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(27) The provider maintains the service recipient's home record in accordance with OAC 340:100-3-40.
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(28) The provider immediately reports to the DDSD SFC staff all changes in the household including, but not limited to:
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(A) telephone number;
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(B) address;
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(C) marriage or divorce;
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(D) persons moving into or out of the home;
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(E) provider's health status;
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(F) provider's employment; and
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(G) provider's income.
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(29) The provider maintains home owner's or renter's insurance, including applicable liability coverages, and provides a copy to the SFC Specialist.
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(30) The provider serves as the Health Care Coordinator and follows the Health Care Coordinator policy outlined in OAC 340:100-5-26.
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(31) Each SFC provider follows all applicable rules of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, promotes the independence of the service recipient, and follows recommendations of the service recipient's Team.