	Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Introduction

Administration and Management

Service Delivery Administration Standards

Service Standards

PA-DDS 10: Personnel

Direct support personnel are trained and able to provide services, supports, and other forms of direct assistance.

PA-DDS 10.01

Direct support personnel have a high school degree or equivalent and are trained and competent in:

establishing rapport with individuals served;
interaction and communication techniques;
implementation of person-centered service plans;
implementing the principles of self-determination and inclusion;
use of assistive technology;
teaching ADLs; and
recognizing and addressing abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

PA-DDS 10.02

Direct support personnel or service coordinators receive training or demonstrate competency in:

advocating on behalf of individuals served;
coordinating services within a team;
knowledge of community programs and how to access services;
building bridges between the individual and the community; and
knowledge of public assistance programs, eligibility requirements, and benefits.

PA-DDS 10.03

Training can include, as appropriate to the service and needs of individuals served:

management of behavior, including risk of harm to self or others;
positive behavioral supports;
assisted dining techniques and good nutrition;
lifting and transfer techniques;
safe transportation techniques;
health related supports; and
medication administration.

PA-DDS 10.04

Direct support personnel receive training in CPR, basic first aid, and universal precautions.

PA-DDS 10.05

Caseload size and case assignments are sufficiently small to permit direct support personnel to respond flexibly to the differing needs of persons served and their families,and are are assessed and adjusted according to:

the work and time required to accomplish assigned tasks and job responsibilities;
the qualifications, competencies, and experience of the worker, including the level of supervision needed; and
service volume, accounting for assessed level of needs of new and current clients and referrals.

QUICK JUMP TO


	PURPOSE: Children, youth, and adults who participate in Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities achieve full integration and inclusion in the mainstream, make choices, exert control over their lives, and fully participate in, and contribute to, their communities.

RELATED FILES


	SERVICE One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.


	PERSONNEL The body of employees and/or volunteers that carries out the organization's tasks under the organization's administration and/or supervision. This definition does not include foster parents who are specifically referenced in relevant standards


	SERVICE PLAN A written plan of action based on the assessment of consumer needs and strengths that identifies problems, sets goals, and describes a strategy for achieving those goals and engaging in joint problem solving with the consumer. Also known as a "treatment plan".


	ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY The commercial or custom-designed devices, modifications, accommodation strategies, and/or related technical services that help persons with disabilities increase, maintain, or improve their functional capabilities.


	TRAINING Instruction so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient in a skill or body of knowledge.


	COMMUNITY A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.


	PROGRAM A system of services offered by an organization. For example, an organization providing a mental health service may offer several mental health programs to different populations, e.g., a mental health program for adolescent teens. The word "program" can be used interchangeably with the word "service" or to describe specific programs.


	ELIGIBILITY The degree to which an individual, family, group, or community meets the specific criteria and qualifications required to receive goods, benefits, or services.


	MEDICATION A prescribed or over-the-counter drug that is injected, taken orally, applied topically, or otherwise administered.


	ADMINISTRATION The personnel responsible for management functions of the organization, including fiscal management, human resources, and service delivery. Such personnel determine organizational goals, acquire and allocate resources to carry out a program, coordinate activities toward goal achievement, and monitor, evaluate, and make needed changes in processes and procedures to improve the likelihood of goal achievement. The term is synonymously used with MANAGEMENT.


	MANAGEMENT See ADMINISTRATION


	CASELOAD The aggregate number of clients and/or consumers of service (including individuals, families, and groups) for whom a given employee is responsible. See also WORKLOAD


	CASE A general term used to designate clients (including individuals, families, and groups) served by an organization for purposes of monitoring the provision of services. A foster care case is generally based on the placement of an individual child, although casework for the child may include services to the child's family. A child protective services case is based on an entire family household if a family assessment model is used; otherwise a case is defined as a child.


	SUPERVISION Assumption of responsibility for directly overseeing and evaluating the work or work products of personnel within an organization. Also includes inspecting the act or process of accomplishing a function or activity.


	REFERRALS Resource suggestions provided to consumers to address problems or needs that are beyond the scope of the organization's mission.