November 28, 2001

 

 

MB-AASA AAA-HCS-RCS-DDD-01-53

MANAGEMENT BULLETIN

 

 

TO:                  Home and Community Services Regional Administrators

                        Area Agency on Aging Directors

                        Residential Care Services Regional Administrators

 

SUBJECT:     INTERVENTION SERVICES--ACCESSING CLIENT CONSULTATION FUNDS

 

This MB replaces the consultation fund information in MB-AASA-HCS-97-56.

 

Home and Community Programs is now responsible for administering the Consultation Fund previously available through Residential Care Services.  This money is available for contracting with consultants for special client intervention services.  The focus is direct service with clients in need of a specific professional intervention services.  The service should assist the social worker (SW), Case Manager (CM) or Residential Care Services (RCS) staff in establishing a stable service plan for the client in his or her home or residential setting.

 

Amount of Fund

 

Due to the limited amount of funds available, a maximum amount of $5000.00 per biennium is available to each Area Agency on Aging for use in contracting for Client Intervention Services. 

 

Use of Funds

 

All intervention services paid for with consultation funds must be documented in the service plan.  Intervention services can be used:

 

  1. To provide technical information in APS cases under investigation for financial exploitation;
  2. When the determination of capacity is necessary in developing an action plan to prevent future incidents of neglect (including self-neglect), abuse, abandonment, or exploitation;
  3. When an evaluation of the home environment or physical functioning of the client is needed by a physical or occupational therapist;
  4. When a nutritionist is needed to evaluate the nutritional status of the client;
  5. When a residential facility needs assistance in evaluating and care planning for a resident special needs;
  6. When a residential facility needs training or education related to a resident’s special needs;
  7. For Independent Living consultation services.

 

For Certified Public Accountants

 

Financial exploitation or other resource availability is sometimes difficult to determine because of the complexity of the information received from financial institutions.  Certified Public Accountants (CPA) may be contracted to decipher complex financial documents and arrangements.  They must provide a written report regarding the findings and include information regarding any discrepancies or potential fraudulent activities.

 

For Psychologists

 

When it is difficult to determine if a client is at significant risk of personal or financial harm because of an apparent diminished level of capacity, a psychologist may be contracted.  The purpose of this service would be to assist in the evaluation of the client’s capacity to manage his or her own affairs.  The contracted psychologist will provide a written report regarding the outcome of the evaluation.  When arranging for an evaluation consider the following questions regarding the client’s current circumstances:

·        Diagnosis: is it permanent and/or progressive,

·        Adverse reactions from medications either being taken improperly by client or administered improperly to client; proper and adequate nutrition; history or current symptoms of mental illness; dynamics involved in current situation which resulted in APS investigation or other difficult circumstance, and

·        Prognosis and treatment recommendations.

 

For Other Professionals

 

Intervention services with contracted professionals may be critical to evaluate client needs for, but not limited to, the following:

·        medication administration

·        nursing rehabilitation

·        medical condition

·        nutritional status

·        behavioral needs

·        physical or occupational therapy

·        independent living skills training

·        peer support services

·        identifying appropriate assistive technology

·        housing consultation for subsidized housing or other housing options

·        advocacy to identify barriers to living in the community

 

Use This Procedure to Request a Contract:

           

·        For Intervention Services consultants, E-mail a request for a contract that includes consultant’s name, address phone, type of service to be provided and hourly rate, to Lois Wusterbarth at wustela@dshs.wa.gov .

·        For Independent Living consultants, e-mail request with the IL consultant’s name, address, phone, type of service and hourly rate to be provided to Patty McDonald at mcdonpm@dshs.wa.gov.

·        A Contractor’s Intake packet will be sent to the contractor to complete and return to Intervention Services at AASA headquarters.  A background check authorization form will be included which the contractor must mail to the DSHS background inquiry unit as instructed in the packet.

·        Once the background report is completed satisfactorily, a contract will be sent to the contractor for review and signature.  After execution of the contract is completed, the SW / CM / RCS staff may authorize the service.  Notification of the executed contract will be forwarded to the SW / CM / RCS staff from the Intervention Services Program Manager.

 

Use This Procedure to Authorize, Track, and Pay for Contracted Services:

 

1.      Document in the case file that the outcome of the contracted service or evaluation is a necessary and integral part of the service plan for the protection of the client.

2.      Document that all other alternative services and payment sources have been explored prior to authorizing these funds.  Other alternatives may include:  financial technician, bank officer, CNC, physician, hospital records, Nursing Services, RSN resources, OAA programs, client resources, etc.

3.      Prepare a written request with client specific questions for the contracted professional.

4.      Obtain written permission for the evaluation or service from the client or surrogate decision maker.

5.      Complete an Authorization for Intervention Services form (copy attached) for each contracted service payment.  This form must be submitted with each A-19-1A Invoice Voucher (A-19).  Important:  The rate entered by the contractor on the A-19 must agree with the rate stated in the contract.  An Intervention Services Consultants List with the rate information will be maintained on-line in the near future.  Also, you may call Lois Wusterbarth @ 360/725-2536 to verify the rates.

6.      An A-19 form will be sent with a signed contract.  The contractor must complete the A-19 and send it to the SW /CM / RCS staff authorizing the service.

7.      The SW / CM / RCS staff is responsible for overseeing the work done, the quality of service, the written report, and monitoring the hours billed.

8.      Once satisfied that the service has been completed, the SW / CM / RCS staff submits the completed A-19 and Authorization for Intervention Services to Region’s Business Manager / AAA Fiscal Manager—per local policy for approval.  All A-19’s for Intervention Services must be sent to AASA headquarters accounting office for payment processing.

9.      Should problems arise or quality of service be poor, the SW/CM/RCS staff should notify Lois or Patty so that changes can be made in the future.

 

A website will be established with current contractors’ names and information.  Until that is online periodic updates to the attached lists will be sent.

 

Inquiries to:                Lois Wusterbarth, Program Manager –Intervention Services

                                    (360) 725-2536

                                    wustela@dshs.wa.gov

 

 

                                    Patty McDonald, Program Manager – Independent Living

                                    (360) 725-2559

                                    mcdonpm@dshs.wa.gov

 

 

 

                                    _________________________________

                                    Penny Black, Director

                                    Home and Community Services Division

 

 

Attachments:

Form for Authorizing Intervention Services

Sample A19

Instructions for Completing A19

Intervention Services Current Contractors

Independent Living Consultation Services