OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Developmental Disabilities Services Division
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 521-3571
October 19, 2007
DDSD #07-04
Dear Provider:
As you may know, the Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) is required to report quarterly to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on compliance with the assurances made in our home and community-based waivers. Compliance with the assurance that the state monitors non-licensed/non-certified providers to assure adherence to waiver requirements is measured, in part, by provider compliance with the requirements for pre-employment screenings for community services workers (OAC 340:100-3-39).
Through Quality Assurance Performance Surveys, compliance is measured each quarter on criminal background checks, community services workers registry checks, and pre-employment screenings (reference checks) of potential applicants for employment as community services workers. For FY07, compliance in the community waiver was 85% for reference checks, 88% for criminal background checks, and 96% for registry checks. The annual compliance rates in the Homeward Bound waiver were 85% for reference checks, 87 % for criminal background checks, and 96% for registry checks.
In order to emphasize the importance of compliance with these provider qualifications, this is to advise that deficiencies in the following pre-employment screening requirements of criminal background checks, registry checks, and reference checks, will result in placement of agencies on immediate vendor hold per OAC 340:100-3-27.2(f). Per policy, agencies will have 60 days to correct all deficiencies. During the re-survey following the 60 day period, if all deficiencies have not been corrected, DDSD will pursue recoupment in those instances where services were delivered by an unqualified provider.
Your attention to ensuring compliance with these important provider qualifications is appreciated. If you have questions, please contact Genny Gordon, DDSD Quality Assurance Director, at (405) 521-4968.
Sincerely,
James M. Nicholson, Director
Developmental Disabilities Services Division