Virginia Administrative Code › Title 12 - HEALTH › Agency 30 - DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES › Chapter 122 - COMMUNITY WAIVER SRVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES › Section 12VAC30-122-330 - Community guide service

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A.
				Service description. Community guide services include direct assistance to
				promote individuals' self-determination through brokering specific community
				resources that lead to connection to and independent participation in
				integrated, independent housing or community activities so as to avoid
				isolation. This means that community guides investigate and coordinate as
				necessary the available naturally occurring community resources to facilitate
				the individual's participation in those resources of interest to the
				individual. Community guides provide information and directed assistance that
				aids the individual in developing supportive community relationships and
				exploring specific community resources that promote implementation of the
				person-centered plan. This service involves face-to-face contact with the
				individual to determine the individual's specific interests and exploration of
				community resources, which may lead to typical community activities or settings
				in which the individual will engage or reside. In addition, there is a
				component of supporting the individual that may occur without the individual
				present. Community guide services involve assisting the individual to identify
				the type of community options that maximize the individual's opportunities for
				meaningful engagement and growth in independence. The community guide shall
				provide the in-depth individualized assistance needed to connect with community
				activities and foster engagement distinct from the generic activities provided
				through routine support coordination. This service is designed to be short-term
				and periodic in nature.
B. Criteria
				and allowable activities. This service may be provided by persons with one of
				two emphases:
1. General community guide.
				This involves the utilization of existing assessment information regarding the
				individual's general interests to determine specific preferred activities and
				venues that are available in the individual's community to which the individual
				desires to be connected (e.g., clubs, special interest groups, physical
				activities/sports teams, etc.) to promote inclusion and independent
				participation in the life of the individual's community. The desired result is
				an increase in daily or weekly natural supports, as opposed to increasing hours
				of paid supports. Allowable activities include the following for the individual
				as documented in the individual's plan for supports:
a. Utilize assessment and other information
				provided by the support coordinator along with an in depth discussion with the
				individual and people who know the individual. Discussion shall involve an
				outline of the individual's interests to develop a plan for supports that
				contains a step by step strategy for the individual and family or friends, as
				appropriate, to reduce barriers and challenges in accessing community resources
				or activities to support those interests. The plan for supports shall identify
				targeted actions that will promote community integration and independent or
				naturally supported involvement;
b.
				Assist the individual in connecting to the identified, non-Medicaid funded
				community resources by researching and contacting the parties responsible for
				the identified integrated activities, supports, services, or resources
				delineated in the individual's plan for supports;
c. Provide advocacy and informal counseling
				that helps guide the individual in problem solving and decision making that
				enhances the individual's ability to interact and contribute to the local
				community;
d. Escort the individual
				or demonstrate on site the means of accessing the identified integrated
				community activities, supports, services, or resources;
e. Follow up with the individual to determine
				and document the individual's participation in or utilization of the
				activities, supports, services, or resources to which the community guide
				assisted in connecting.