Specific Components Related to DDS Initiatives

1.  Enhance HCBS Workforce-

  • Funding to temporarily increase HCBS provider rates to help rebuild, improve, stabilize, and maintain the provider workforce develop from the unprecedented strain of the COVID 19 pandemic.
  • Funding for the provider community to create an incentive-based program to help with recruitment and retention of staff.

2.  Expand and Integrate the use of Assistive Technology-

  • Increase DDS Medicaid waiver caps to allow for additional assistive technology opportunities while also expanding assistive technology utilization in group settings operated by DDS.
  • Expanding assistive technology utilization through grant opportunities.
  • Additional expansion opportunities to promote independence while maintaining quality and oversight of health and safety measures.

3.  Enhance Self-Direction-

  • Expand and enhance the current DDS employment recruiting platform to assist individuals and families that self-direct their services.
  • Develop and implement a statewide employment network to include individuals and families of the Department of Social Services.  The employment network will leverage the most recent technology and accessible platforms to facilitate enrollment of both direct care workers seeking employment and self-directed participant employers seeking employees.
  • Expand the range of supports available through the fiscal intermediary in order to build capacity in the self-directed Medicaid system.

4. Enhance and Expand HCBS Delivery Transformation-

  • Expand supportive housing models in collaboration with other state agencies, to ensure community integration and promote the highest level of independence for individuals with intellectual disability.
  • Implement a multi-pronged approach to transform the DDS system towards a model that promotes independence and freedom of choice.  The initiatives under this approach focuses on:

a. an incentive payment program that encourages providers to consolidates vacancies,

b. provides temporary payments for authorizations that move individuals to more independent settings and

c. assists the DDS provider network in developing transformation plans.

5. Enhance Provider Infrastructure-

  • Develop, purchase, and implement technology to streamline and modernize antiquated processes, improve billing accuracy, and increase overall efficiency in the DDS system.
  • Focus will be on improvements to the DDS provider network as well as department-based systems.

6. Strengthening Quality- Focus will be on improving the quality of HCBS services through DDS.

  • Fund a comprehensive review of the universal assessment,
  • Research and implement a obtaining new case management system with capacity for universal modality that takes a "no wrong door" approach to providing supports across the statewide health and human services delivery system,
  • Enhance data captured in our Critical Incident Management System,
  • Expands and improve opportunities to collect and utilize participant feedback on HCBS services through the National Core Indicator surveys.
  • Contract with consultants to research and make recommendations on the feasibility of implementing an outcome-based payment program for providers of DDS.  The consultants will also be tasked with identifying metrics that DDS providers would need to meet to receive incentive payments.
Connecticut Developmental Services

460 Capitol Avenue
Hartford Connecticut 06106