The Developmental Disability Services Division (DDSD) has a Quality Management Team who monitor and review the quality of services provided.
Quality Service Reviews (QSRs) - Quality Service Reviews (QSRs) are completed with the intent to meet the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living's (DAIL's) commitment to the State of Vermont and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to monitor and review the quality of services provided using Federal and State home and community-based services (HCBS) funding. The QSR ascertains the quality of the services provided by the Designated Agencies and Specialized Services Agencies and ensures that minimum standards are met with respect to DAIL and DDSD guidelines and policies for developmental disabilities services.
Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professionals (QDDP) – The Quality Review Team endorses individuals who are interested in becoming an independent QDDPs. The following document provides in-depth information about the QDDP endorsement process.
- Qualified Developmental Disability Professional (QDDP) Protocol
Other components used in an effort to maintain and improve the quality of services are:
- Agency Designation - The DDSD Quality Management Team performs a designation review on a multi-year cycle for each Designated Agency and Specialized Services Agency (DA/SSA) to ensure needed services are available through local planning, service coordination, and monitoring outcomes within their geographic region.
- Housing Safety and Accessibility Review Process - DAIL works with a contractor to perform safety and accessibility inspections for all residences of people with developmental disabilities funded by the of DDSD (except those licensed through the Division of Licensing and Protection/DAIL or a public housing entity, such as the Vermont State Housing Authority for Section 8). The purpose of the inspections is to ensure the general health and safety of individuals receiving 24-hour residential supports and that the homes are in compliance with safety and accessibility standards.
- Critical Incident Reporting - Critical incidents involving people receiving developmental disabilities services must be reported to DDSD. In particular, critical incidents involving the death of an individual receiving services; an individual receiving services who is missing; incidents involving suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation or a prohibited practice; medical emergencies and potential criminal activity involving individuals receiving services all need to be reported to DDSD within the timeframes outlined in the Critical Incident Reporting Requirements. DDSD staff monitor the critical incident reports.
- Grievance and Appeals Procedures - The process for grievances, internal appeals and fair hearings are outlined in regulation.
- Adult Consumer Survey - DDSD contracts annually for the independent interviewing of adults who receive home and community-based services. This initiative is conducted in partnership with the National Core Indicators and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services.
- Training and Technical Assistance - Members of the DDSD Quality Management Review Team provide training and technical assistance to help the DA/SSA address issues and areas of importance identified during the quality services and designation reviews, provide follow up support around Critical Incidents, complaints and specific support needs of individuals.
Resource
Sources of Quality Assurance and Protection for people with Developmental Disabilities provides an annotated list of the activities, processes, and organizations that make up the multi-faceted system of quality assurance in Vermont.