Options Counseling B-05

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this policy is to ensure individuals/guardians will receive conflict free information about their service options.

POLICY:

Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization (SCDDO) will provide options counseling either in person or over the phone, and comprehensive options counseling upon initial determination and annually to all eligible individuals and/or their guardian, to impartially assist eligible individuals/guardians to select the community service provider (CSP) of their choice, and inform them of their resource options in Sedgwick County. CSPs will direct individuals to SCDDO for options counseling. Options counseling must occur prior to referral or initiation of services.

PROCEDURES:

1. SCDDO will perform options counseling for individuals requesting access to a new service provider. The following are examples of circumstances that would warrant options counseling:
   1. Individuals who are newly determined eligible and seeking services from a targeted case management agency.
   2. New access to services regardless of funding source.
   3. Individuals with services wanting to change providers or add a new service.
   4. Discharge from public/private intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability (ICF/ID) or nursing facility.
   5. Transfers from other CDDO areas.
2. Exceptions to options counseling include:
   1. Services funded through the SCDDO Family Support Program.
   2. Accessing additional units from the current provider.
3. SCDDO will initiate options counseling when requested by:
   1. The individual/guardian
   2. Members of the individual’s support network
   3. CSP
   4. Care Coordinator
   5. Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
4. SCDDO will provide information on community service options. The individual/guardian may choose to research their options by touring or meeting with prospective providers.
5. Once options counseling has been completed and the individual/guardian has informed SCDDO of their choice, the options counseling form will be sent to the individual/guardian for signature. When the options counseling form is signed and returned to SCDDO, written notification will be provided to the appropriate parties.
6. The CSP is responsible for obtaining appropriate authorization prior to delivering services.
7. Comprehensive options counseling will be delivered upon initial eligibility determination and annually during the functional assessment to individuals and/or their guardian.
   1. Individuals/guardians will be offered the following documents:
      1. Rights and Responsibilities
      2. HCBS Waivers and how to access them
      3. Funding resources
      4. Community resources
      5. Waiver services by age
      6. MCO options
      7. Affiliate directory
      8. Other information as needed/requested