woman and young man doing arts and crafts

Staff working for or contracted with the agency as well as volunteers utilized in providing any direct support services or spend any time alone with an individual must meet the following minimum standards:

  1. Be at least 18 years old;
  2. For non-commercial providers, possess a valid driver’s license for vehicle necessary to provide
    services; and
  3. For non-commercial providers, have automobile insurance for all automobiles that are owned,
    leased, and/or hired and used in the provision of services.
  4. Orientation, Mobility and Travel Training Specialists – must attend and have a current certification as a travel trainer from one of the following entities
    1. Easter Seals Project Action (ESPA);
    2. American Public Transit Association;
    3. Community Transportation Association of America;
    4. National Transit Institute (NTI);
    5. American Council for the Blind;
    6. National Federation of the Blind;
    7. Association of Travel Instruction;
    8. DORS approved vendors/contractor;
    9. Other recognized entities based on approval from the DDA.
  5. Assure that the stand-by intervention (float) staff meet required credentials, license, certification, and
    training;
  6. Complete necessary pre/in-service training based on the Person-Centered Plan;
  7. Complete the training designated by DDA. All new hires must complete the DDA
    required training prior to independent service delivery.

Verification of Provider Qualifications

Entity Responsible for Verification:

  1. DDA for verification of the OHCDS
  2. OHCDS provider will verify Remote Support System requirements and qualifications

Frequency of Verification:

  1. Initial and at least every three years

Additionally, staff will maintain connections with supervisory personnel while working in the community through the use of mobile phones with texting capabilities. The agency is currently utilizing this technology in Employment Services. Also, arrangements will be made to include staff in-service trainings and to spend a portion of the week working at the agency.

Staff training required by COMAR 10.22.02.11 will be provided to agency staff that supports individuals with this model of support.

SPECIFIC SERVICES LIST

The agency believes strongly in the value of community connections, and we assist individuals to be very involved in the choices they make about their activities. We have assisted some of our individuals to be involved in the Neighborhood program in their community.

We tailor our services to fit the needs and wishes of the individual. Our Agency’s staff provides services such as:

Skill training as requested by the individual’s team; individual behavior planning, training, monitoring and documentation, if requested; First Aid; CPR; Medication Administration; transportation both to medical appointments as well as to activities in the community; Family Support and periodic Family Meetings; transportation for the individual to visit family and friends as requested; transportation to community activities and assistance to access those activities; food service; laundry services; health and safety monitoring; assessments; annual reviews; individual training plans; Human Rights Reviews; grocery shopping or training; clothes shopping or training; financial services; banking, payee invoicing; social histories; medical histories; psychological updates; birthday presents, holiday presents and parties paid for by the our Agency’s Board of Directors; group and individual therapy as required; coordination with day programs to ensure a 24 hour habilitation program; transportation to the day program if necessary; site and house maintenance; lawn service; vehicle maintenance; sprinkler maintenance and periodic checks; weight and vital signs monitoring; advocacy; quality assurance; and resource referral.

Additionally, the agency ensures that the following services are acquired if requested by the individual, the individual’s team, or the family: Annual medical examination; ongoing medical supervision; nursing reviews every 45 days or more often; nutritional assessments and specific diet planning; psychological services; psychiatric services; medication evaluation and monitoring every 30 or 90 days or more often if required; neurological assessments and evaluations; podiatry services four times per year or as needed; audio-logical assessment and evaluations; dental services and evaluations; vision exams as necessary; lab studies as ordered; monitoring of Social Security Benefits; applying for and maintaining Medical Assistance; and burial planning. The list is not exhaustive because if other services are requested, the company will either provide or acquire those services as needed.