Report 2016-108 Recommendation 4 Responses
Report 2016-108: Department of Developmental Services: It Cannot Verify That Vendor Rates for In-Home Respite Services Are Appropriate and That Regional Centers and Vendors Meet Applicable Requirements (Release Date: October 2016)
Recommendation #4 To: Developmental Services, Department of
To ensure that regional centers are aware of the benefits, including cost savings to the State that can be realized by using FMS vendors, DDS should formally communicate to regional centers regarding the model.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2021
In March 2020, the Department issued a directive to regional centers regarding participant directed services (PDS). Additionally, to promote the use of these services, in October 2020, regional centers received training from Department staff that highlighted the flexibility of PDS to support consumers and their families, particularly during the pandemic. Subsequently, in November 2020, DDS hosted three meetings with simultaneous interpretation in several languages and also hosted a meeting in Spanish for self-advocates & families. The informational session covered updates from DDS, information on participant directed services option including potential benefits of PDS, and an opportunity for DDS to hear from participants and answer questions. The Department Office of Community Operations assisted families with additional questions about these services and how to request them from their regional center.
- Completion Date: March 2020
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2020
DDS will formally communicate to RCs a reminder that participant-direction of respite, through the use of Financial Management System vendors, is an option for the delivery of this service. The communication will note that, as stated in regulation, "the regional center may offer Participant-Directed Services to allow the adult consumer and/or family member to procure their own... respite... services."
DDS anticipates this will be completed by July 2021
- Estimated Completion Date: 7/31/2021
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2019
DDS will formally communicate to RCs a reminder that participant-direction of respite, through the use of Financial Management System vendors, is an option for the delivery of this service. The communication will note that, as stated in regulation, "the regional center may offer Participant-Directed Services to allow the adult consumer and/or family member to procure their own... respite... services."
DDS anticipates this will be completed by January 2020.
- Estimated Completion Date: January 2020
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2018
DDS will formally communicate to RCs a reminder that participant-direction of respite, through the use of Financial Management System vendors, is an option for the delivery of this service. The communication will note that, as stated in regulation, "the regional center may offer Participant-Directed Services to allow the adult consumer and/or family member to procure their own... respite... services."
- Estimated Completion Date: January 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From December 2017
DDS will formally communicate to regional centers a reminder that participant-direction of respite, through the use of Financial Management System vendors, is an option for the delivery of this service. The communication will note that, as stated in regulation, "...the regional center may offer Participant-Directed Services to allow the adult consumer and/or family member to procure their own...respite...services."
DDS anticipates this will be completed by January 2018.
- Estimated Completion Date: January 2018
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Pending
1-Year Agency Response
DDS is in the process of drafting a letter to formally communicate to regional centers a reminder that a participant-direction of respite, through the use of FMS vendors, is an option for the delivery of service.
- Estimated Completion Date: 12/29/17
- Response Date: October 2017
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending
6-Month Agency Response
DDS is in the process of drafting a letter to formally communicate to regional centers a reminder that participant-direction of respite, through the use of FMS vendors, is an option for the delivery of service.
- Estimated Completion Date: 6/30/17
- Response Date: April 2017
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending
60-Day Agency Response
DDS is in the process of drafting a letter to formally communicate to regional centers a reminder that participant-direction of respite, through the use of FMS vendors, is an option for the delivery of service.
- Estimated Completion Date: 4/25/2017
- Response Date: February 2017
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2016-108
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.