Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 115 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES › Title 115 CMR 7.00 - Standards For All Services And Supports › Section 7.11 - Standards for Placement Services

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1) In
			 selecting the care provider the placement agency shall comply with the
			 following:
(a) The placement agency shall
			 assess the personal characteristics of the care provider and, where applicable,
			 other members of the household who will be providing supervision or services
			 with respect to their ability and appropriateness to serve the individual as
			 determined through interviews, review of any prior service assessments, and
			 information from at least two personal references. The placement agency shall
			 also inquire of the care provider and the personal references as to whether any
			 reports have been filed against the provider under M.G.L. c. 119 regarding the
			 abuse, mistreatment, or neglect of children; under M.G.L. c. 19C, regarding
			 abuse of adults with disabilities; under M.G.L. c. 19A, regarding abuse of
			 elders; or under M.G.L. c. 111, regarding abuse of a resident in a facility
			 licensed or certified by the Department of Public Health.
(b) In assessing the care provider's ability
			 to provide supports and services to individuals, the placement agency shall
			 consider the following factors:
1. motivation
			 for application;
2.
			 characteristics, number, and age of the individuals the care provider can
			 adequately serve;
3. geographical
			 location of the care provider's home in relation to the needs of the individual
			 the placement agency intends to serve;
4. ability to adjust to family changes which
			 will occur when the individual is placed;
5. capacity to integrate the individual into
			 daily routines and patterns of living without undue disruption;
6. flexibility to meet the individual's
			 changing needs;
7. ability to
			 accept the individual's relationship with his or her natural parents and other
			 family members;
8. ability, if and
			 when appropriate, to assist an individual to make the transition to a more
			 independent living arrangement; and
9. previous work experience, competencies, or
			 training in providing supports and services to persons with intellectual
			 disability or other disabilities, and relevant personal experiences.
(c) The placement agency shall
			 assure that the minimum age for a person providing residential supports to an
			 individual eligible for the Department's services in the care provider's own
			 home is 21 years of age, except that a person 18 of age or older may provide
			 such services if the person works under the direct supervision of someone 21
			 years of age or older and through training or experience exhibits the knowledge
			 and competencies as set forth in 115 CMR 7.11(2)(a) prior to the provision of
			 services. The age of any care provider shall be considered in determining the
			 appropriateness of placing specific individuals with that person based on the
			 individual's ISP.
(d) The placement
			 agency shall assess whether the care provider's employment, if any, outside the
			 home will decrease the provider's capacity to meet the requirements of
			 115 CMR 7.00 and that adequate
			 provision exists for the care and supervision of individuals during any such
			 absences.
(e) The placement agency
			 shall assess the composition of the care provider's household to ensure that
			 the number and characteristics of other members of the household do not
			 adversely affect either the capacity of the provider to give adequate time,
			 energy, and attention to individuals served or the appropriateness of the
			 environment for specific individuals in accordance with their needs.
(f) The placement agency shall assure that a
			 care provider is serving only individuals 18 years of age or older unless there
			 is prior approval by the area director. The approval shall be based on the area
			 director's consideration of the circumstances and relationships of all
			 individuals who will be supported in the home and the capacity of the care
			 provider to meet their needs.
(g)
			 The placement agency shall conduct and document a review of the home of the
			 person who may be selected as the care provider in accordance with the
			 standards set forth in
			 115 CMR
			 7.07(1) and (3) through
			 (7).