Hi everyone. The Provider Certification workgroup met yesterday. Some progress was made.

· For CEO’s, we decided to keep intact the provisions that the CEO must be 21 years old, have a SSN/ID and hold a HS diploma or GED. There was spirited discussion around the other components, with the suggestion that requirements be connected to how many people a provider is serving. We tabled that discussion for another day.

· For DSP’s we agreed to keep the provisions that they have a SSN/ID and are able to read/write/understand English. We removed the provision that the DSP must be 18 years of age, with stipulations that they will not able to perform certain tasks (such as medication administration) and must receive a higher level of supervision. We agreed that CPR and First aid would remain a requirement, but are looking at the timing of that requirement (maybe 60 days into employment and not able to work alone until have certifications? Also looking to remove requirement for agencies with full time nursing staff.) The requirement for a HS diploma or a GED was removed at the April meeting. Just as a reminder, staff without these credentials will not be able to pass medications.

The workgroup is rather large, so getting to agreement takes some time.

The June meeting is going to focus on direct staff training. The current rule states:

Prior to providing direct services, training completed in:

· Overview of serving individuals including implementation of ISP

· Role and responsibilities of DSP’s with regard to services including person-centered planning, community integration, self-determination, and self-advocacy

· Universal precautions

· Rights of individuals

· MUI rule including health and welfare alerts

· Completes training specific to each individual they will support including, what is important to and for the individual, individual support needs including behavioral support strategy, management of an individual’s funds and medication administration/delegated nursing

Commencing in the second year of employment, completes annual training in:

· Role and responsibilities of DSP’s with regard to services including person-centered planning, community integration, self-determination and self-advocacy

· Rights of individuals

· MUI rule including health and welfare alerts

There was preliminary discussion around the staff training components to set the stage for June. For example, do staff need to be trained in the actual MUI rule, or just understand what they need to report and who they need to report to? Some felt that information on the entire rule is overwhelming and that training could be better spent on other topics. The NADSP Code of Ethics (attached) was shared as something that could be incorporated into training, in whole or in part.

Here is where I need your feedback. What is/is not working in regards to DSP training requirements? What would you like to see? How can we improve this and make it more relevant? It’s an open-ended question and I would love to hear your thoughts. If you could get those to me in the next couple of weeks so that I can compile them, it will be greatly appreciated. This is our opportunity to improve this rule and the DSP training requirements!

Anita Allen

Vice President

Ohio Provider Resource Association

1152 Goodale Blvd

Columbus  OH    43212

614-224-6772 x110

614-655-0170 direct

614-224-3340 fax

The Trusted Voice for Providers Serving Ohioans with Disabilities for over 40 Years.