PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Aging and Disability Services Administration)
(Division of Developmental Disabilities)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-23-133.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Adopting chapter 388-828 WAC, The division of developmental disabilities (DDD) assessment.
Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East, Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503 (one block north of the intersection of Pacific Avenue S.E. and Alhadeff Lane. A map or directions are available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6097), on March 27, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than March 28, 2007.
Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m. on March 27, 2007.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Stephanie Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by March 23, 2007, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097 or by e-mail at schilse@dshs.wa.gov.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of these rules is to govern and support the administration of the division's newly developed, computer-based assessment tool that is designed to measure the support needs of clients for service determination. The DDD assessment will replace existing paper-based methods resulting in a universal assessment and support planning process. The purpose of the DDD assessment is to provide a comprehensive assessment process that: (1) Collects a common set of assessment information for reporting purposes to the legislature and the department; (2) promotes consistency and accuracy in evaluating client support needs for purposes of planning, budgeting, and resource management; (3) identifies a level of service and/or number of care hours that is used to support the assessed needs of clients who have been authorized to receive Medicaid/waiver personal care, waiver respite care, and/or voluntary placement program services; (4) records clients' service requests.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: In 2003, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) issued its performance audit of the division and recommended that DSHS develop a standardized assessment process for developmentally disabled clients that is designed to be consistently applied to all clients in all parts of the state. The legislature appropriated funds for the development and implementation of the DDD assessment per section 205(3), chapter 518, Laws of 2005.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 71A.12.030.
Statute Being Implemented: Title 71A RCW and chapter 518, Laws of 2005.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Mark Eliason, 640 Woodland Square Loop S.E., Lacey, WA 98504, (360) 725-2517; Implementation and Enforcement: Don Clintsman, 640 Woodland Square Loop S.E., Lacey, WA 98504, (360) 725-3426.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. DDD has identified that there are approximately forty-five supported living (SL), twenty-three group home (GH), and four hundred twenty-five adult family home (AFH) providers who provide services to DDD clients and meet the definition of a small business as defined above. DDD conducted a survey of these providers regarding their reported costs to participate in a client's annual assessment and concluded that overall costs to them will be minor, if there are any costs at all. In addition, DDD is not able to determine if there is a disproportionate impact to AFHs since all are considered small businesses. Based on this information, DDD has concluded that preparation of a small business economic impact statement is not required.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Mark Eliason, 640 Woodland Square Loop S.E., Lacey, WA 98504, phone (360) 725-2517, fax (360) 407-0954, e-mail eliasmr2@dshs.wa.gov.
January 19, 2007
Jim Schnellman, Chief
Office of Administrative Resources
Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 07-05 issue of the Register.