All of the documents on the DDSD website can be found in the Document Library. The library can be sorted by category, name of document, or by date. A search can also be done.
To assist you in finding some of the most commonly used policies, guidelines, and procedures for Developmental Disabilities Services Division, links are provided below. (Listed alphabetically by document name.)
Abuse Allegations through Facilitated Communication Guidelines - Guidance for Vermont developmental disabilities services agencies, schools and other organizations on the process to follow in the event a person using facilitated communication makes an allegation of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Accessing and Maintaining Medicaid for DD Services - This notice provides clarification about the process for applying for Medicaid by means of being found eligible for developmental disability home and community-based services.
Behavior Support Guidelines for Support Workers Paid with Developmental Services Funds - These Guidelines outline the types of interventions that support workers paid with developmental disability services funds may use to support behavior change and also the steps to follow when restriction of rights or restraints are required.
Best Practices Guidelines for the Diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) - A description of best practice in diagnosing PDD for Vermont Clinicians. This describes how evaluations should be completed for the purposes of eligibility for DDS and Guardianship.
Bridge Program: Care Coordination for Children with Developmental Disabilities Guidelines - These guidelines outline the rules, procedures, documentation and reporting requirements, and include the forms related to the operation of the Bridge Program.
Community Notification and Safety Procedures for Sex Offenders with Developmental Disabilities, Rescinding Memo - This 2014 memo outlines the changes to the community notification and safety procedures for sex offenders with developmental disabilities. .
Critical Incident Reporting (CIR) Guidelines - Detailed requirements for critical incident report, including critical incident report form. (Critical Incident Reporting Form)
DAIL Background Check Policy - Performing background checks on individuals who work with vulnerable people is a component of preventing abuse, neglect and exploitation. This policy describes when a background check is required, give the components of a background check, and what is done if a background check reveals a potential problem.
Department of Labor Home Care Rule: Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Domestic Service
A memo by DAIL about the US Department of Labor rule governing the Fair Labor Standards Act for minimum wage and overtime protections to direct care workers.
DDSD Encounter Data Submission Guidance for Home and Community-Based Services: This document provides instruction and information on submission of DDSD encounter claims, procedure codes and modifiers, and provider requirements and responsibilities. It can be expected that the guidance and process for reporting to the MMIS will require additional adjustments, guidance and process modifications as providers begin reporting.
DDSD Services Codes and Definitions for Home and Community-Based Services: This document provides a list of the available DD Home and Community-Based Services that are provided by Designated Agencies and Specialized Service Agencies or through self/family-managed services. The list includes the service definitions and Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) Encounter claim codes for each service category.
End of Life Care Decision Making Guidelines - A Developmental Disabilities Services Division policy that outlines the role of the public guardian when needing to make critical health care decision or do advance care planning for adults with developmental disabilities for whom they are guardian. It includes an outline of the role of the Ethics Committee.
Education and Support of Sexuality Policy - This document provides a clear statement about the rights of individuals receiving developmental disability services to learn about the risks and responsibilities of expressing their sexuality.
Family Managed Respite (FMR) Program Guidelines - Developmental Disabilities Services Division Family Managed Respite Programs
Flexible Family Funding (FFF) Guidelines - The Flexible Family Funding Program offers support to individuals with developmental disabilities and families to enhance their ability to live together.
Guide for People who are Self- or Family-Managing Medicaid-Funding Developmental Services - This document is designed to help people who wish to self- or family-manage their services understand what tasks are required and who is responsible for seeing that those tasks are accomplished.
Health and Wellness Guidelines - These guidelines were created because the Developmental Disabilities Services Division is responsible for insuring the health and safety of people who receive Medicaid-funded developmental disability services.
(DD) Home and Community-Based Services Spreadsheet and Encounter Codes Crosswalk - This document provides a crosswalk for the DD HCBS services between the obsolete MSR codes and the new MMIS encounter claim codes. It also lists the relevant HCBS spreadsheet column for each service.
(DD) Home and Community Based Services Spreadsheet Manual for SSAs and DAs- This manual provides guidance to Designated Agencies and Specialized Service Agencies on how to use and make changes to the DDS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) spreadsheets.
(DD) Home and Community Based Services Spreadsheet Manual for TII - This manual provides guidance to Transition II on how to use and make changes to the DD Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) spreadsheets.
Home Visit Requirements for Developmental Disability Services - These requirements outline the frequency of home visits made by service coordinators to assure the stability of home support and the well-being of people with developmental disabilities.
Housing Safety and Accessibility Review Process Protocol - The Review Process outlines the Housing Safety and Accessibility Reviews that are conducted by DDSD to assess safety and accessibility of all relevant residential and agency community support sites. February 2019 Addendum to the Housing Process Protocol
Human Rights Committee Guidelines - These guidelines describe the purpose and operations of the Human Rights Committee, in its role to safeguard the human rights of people receiving developmental disability services in Vermont.
Individual Support Agreement (ISA) Guidelines - An Individual Support Agreement is a contract between the individual, the guardian (if there is a guardian), and the provider(s). If the individual is managing all or some of their supports, they are required to have an Individual Support Agreement (ISA). The agreement addresses the individuals' needs that the individual, designated agency, and others have prioritized through an individualized planning process.
Individual Support Agreement (ISA) Variance Request form - This form is completed by the individual's service coordinator.
Medicaid Eligibility and Placement Out of State - This document provides information to assist individuals who receive Vermont developmental disability Medicaid home and community-based services funding and who live out-of-state for the purposes of receiving "treatment" (i.e., shared living/developmental home) to not lose their Vermont Medicaid or SSI.
Medicaid Manual for Developmental Disability Services - The Medicaid provider manual details the procedures for Medicaid-funded developmental disability services. This manual only outlines requirements for reimbursement of Title XIX services (Social Security Act covering Medicaid) including fee-for-service and home and community-based services.site
Peggy's Law (Home Provider/Respite Worker Disclosure Law) - In May 2002, a law was passed in Vermont (18 V.S.A. Chapter 171 § 7103) to assure that home providers and day/overnight respite workers have relevant information about individuals in the mental health system in order to make informed decisions about whether to provide care for the individual in their own home.
Protocols for Evaluating Less Restrictive Placements & Supports for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Who Pose a Risk to Public Safety - These protocols establish guidelines for Developmental Disabilities Service Agencies to follow when evaluating less restrictive supervision and placements for people with developmental disabilities who pose a risk to public safety. The intent is to move people towards greater independence consistent with the needs of public safety. These protocols are to be followed for all persons who receive public safety funds as part of their home and community-based supports budget.
Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professionals (QDDP) Protocol - This document explains the Developmental Disabilities Services Division definition, qualifications, roles, and endorsement of qualified developmental disabilities professionals.
Quality Review Process of Developmental Disabilities Services, Guidelines - The Quality Services Review (QSR) process has been developed by the Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) in collaboration with service providers,
individuals, and families, and is based on the DDAS consumer outcomes.
Room and Board Guideline, Personal Spending Allowed- This memo is to communicate the room and board amount and minimum personal spending allowed under the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL) Room and Board Standards.
Transfer of Documents when Changing Providers: Guidelines for Agencies – Guidance to agencies regarding the timely transfer of service records when an individual receiving services is transferring from one agency to another.
Variance Procedures for Direct Support Workers
Vermont Facilitated Communication Guidelines - These guidelines provide formalized standard practice regarding the processes (orientation, assessment, team planning, training and review) that assure that facilitated communication is used appropriately and effectively.
Vermont State System of Care Plan for Developmental Disabilities Services (SOCP) - Three Year Plan FY2018-2020, Effective October 1, 2017. This plan describes the nature, extent, allocation and timing of services that will be provided to people with developmental disabilities and their families. The Three Year Plan and any subsequent Updates make up the complete plan for the current year.
Explanation of the changes in the State System of Care Plan FY2018-2020 (PowerPoint)
Explanation of the changes in the State System of Care Plan FY2018-2020 (Webinar, 12/19/17)
Designated Agencies' Local System of Care Plans.