Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
 
Board
State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
 
Guidance Document Change: The new documents are designed to establish direct support professional and supervisor competencies in developmental disability programs licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and a corresponding protocol, and are intended to address concerns identified by the Independent Reviewer for the Settlement Agreement.
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11/8/19  2:31 pm
Commenter: Myca E. Gray, MVLE

DSP Competencies
 

1. It is strongly recommended DBHDS streamline DSP competencies as most agencies already have competencies which are reviewed annually via Performance Evaluations, as well as mandated and other trainings that are competency based.

2. It is strongly recommended DBHDS consider not requiring Competencies for agencies that are CARF accredited who have not received recommendations in Workforce Development standards regarding training.  CARF accreditation shows commitment to quality and competency. 

3. On page 3 of “Direct Support Professional (DSP) and DSP Supervisor DD Waiver Orientation and Competencies Protocol”, lists Workplace Assistance Training as being a service that requires competencies.  As Group Supported Employment does not require competencies and this would be a service provided to an individual receiving individual supported employment, in an integrated community employment setting, should this service be removed from the list?

4. On page 8 of “Direct Support Professional (DSP) and DSP Supervisor DD Waiver Orientation and Competencies Protocol”,  those individuals having been assessed for a Tier 4 via the SIS require staff to complete training the areas of autism, complex health supports, and complex behavioral supports.  Agencies utilizing MANDT training cover autism and complex behavioral supports – could this be considered to meet competency requirements?  Each individual served on a tier typically does have specific trainings that are person-centered, provided to their staff, and documented via their plan.

5. If staff have already been deemed competent, unless there is noted regression we suggest, not having to continue to assess annually.  Performance evaluations should already indicate competency.

6.  On page 12, “Direct Support Professional (DSP) and DSP Supervisor DD Waiver Orientation and Competencies Protocol”, if an individual changes their SIS tier score to a higher tier, could the review of competencies be amended and specific to those individual’s needs, as opposed to completing the entirety of the competency assessment?

 

CommentID: 76853