Community companion Home Program
Frequently Asked Questions for Licensees
What does the CCH Licensee do?
A CCH Licensee offers a safe and nurturing home by giving guidance, support and personal attention. The licensee plays an active role in the individual’s team and the collaborative development of a support plan. The support plan is based on the team’s knowledge of the individual’s personal challenges, strengths, skills, preferences and desired outcomes. The plan provides guidelines and specific strategies that address the person’s needs in the social, behavioral and skill areas and is designed to lead to positive lifestyle changes. Living in a home environment presents daily opportunities to acquire and use new skills. The licensee helps the individual participate in family and community activities and facilitate a relationship with the person and his/her natural family and the general community. They help the person learn and use community resources and services as well as participate in activities that are valued and appropriate for the person’s age, gender and culture. The licensee ensures that the person’s identified health and medical needs are met and comply with licensing regulations of the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services.
A CCH Licensee offers a safe and nurturing home by giving guidance, support and personal attention. The licensee plays an active role in the individual’s team and the collaborative development of a support plan. The support plan is based on the team’s knowledge of the individual’s personal challenges, strengths, skills, preferences and desired outcomes. The plan provides guidelines and specific strategies that address the person’s needs in the social, behavioral and skill areas and is designed to lead to positive lifestyle changes. Living in a home environment presents daily opportunities to acquire and use new skills. The licensee helps the individual participate in family and community activities and facilitate a relationship with the person and his/her natural family and the general community. They help the person learn and use community resources and services as well as participate in activities that are valued and appropriate for the person’s age, gender and culture. The licensee ensures that the person’s identified health and medical needs are met and comply with licensing regulations of the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services.
How are Licensees Trained?
The initial training includes an overview of disabilities, abuse & neglect prevention and reporting, CPR, infection control, program development, interacting with families, language and communication needs, medical emergency procedures and positive behavioral supports. There are also individual and team training sessions for topics that relate specifically to the person’s needs.
The initial training includes an overview of disabilities, abuse & neglect prevention and reporting, CPR, infection control, program development, interacting with families, language and communication needs, medical emergency procedures and positive behavioral supports. There are also individual and team training sessions for topics that relate specifically to the person’s needs.
What is the role of the natural family?
The natural family continues to play an active role in the person’s life. In most cases they are a primary resource for the development of the relationship between the individual and the licensee family. They are active team members, attending team meetings and assisting in the development of the program and they are also a natural respite support to the licensee family. Working with the licensee, the natural family participates in ensuring that the individual’s health and medical needs are met as well as other needs are met.
The natural family continues to play an active role in the person’s life. In most cases they are a primary resource for the development of the relationship between the individual and the licensee family. They are active team members, attending team meetings and assisting in the development of the program and they are also a natural respite support to the licensee family. Working with the licensee, the natural family participates in ensuring that the individual’s health and medical needs are met as well as other needs are met.
What will I learn by becoming a lisensee?
Licensees will learn to provide basic needs (communication, everyday living skills, medical needs, use of adaptive equipment, behavior modification techniques). Licensees also assist clients in making new friends, maintaining old friendships, support contacts with their family members and include them in home and community activities.
Licensees will learn to provide basic needs (communication, everyday living skills, medical needs, use of adaptive equipment, behavior modification techniques). Licensees also assist clients in making new friends, maintaining old friendships, support contacts with their family members and include them in home and community activities.
Am I guaranteed that people will be place in my home?
DDS has no obligation to place people in your CCH.
DDS has no obligation to place people in your CCH.
Will I have a choice of who lives with me?
Yes, we use a matching process to look at similar interests and backgrounds and look for compatible matches. The person will have an opportunity to visit you in your home before a decision is made.
Yes, we use a matching process to look at similar interests and backgrounds and look for compatible matches. The person will have an opportunity to visit you in your home before a decision is made.
What happens if I am sick or have an emergency?
You are encouraged to identify a “designee” – someone who will get to know the person and can provide emergency back-up. This designee needs to be at least 18 years old, but does not have to be licensed.
You are encouraged to identify a “designee” – someone who will get to know the person and can provide emergency back-up. This designee needs to be at least 18 years old, but does not have to be licensed.
What happens if the person has to stay home from their day program? Do I have to take time off from my job?
The team will work with you to identify a back-up plan such as a respite licensee or your designee.
The team will work with you to identify a back-up plan such as a respite licensee or your designee.
Who pays the client medical bills?
The client’s medical bills will be paid for by various state agencies.
The client’s medical bills will be paid for by various state agencies.
What is the difference between a CCH and a DCF foster home?
It is a different license with DCF. DCF places only children. DDS is looking for homes for adults as well as children.
It is a different license with DCF. DCF places only children. DDS is looking for homes for adults as well as children.
How long does the licensing process take?
It varies depending on how quickly you send in the required documentation and if there are any issues with the home inspection. It will take 4 to 8 months.
It varies depending on how quickly you send in the required documentation and if there are any issues with the home inspection. It will take 4 to 8 months.
How often will licensing inspections occur?
An initial inspection will be done prior to a license being issued. Four to six months later, if an individual has been placed in your home, a revisit inspection will occur. After that, inspections will occur annually (including the first year) in the month the license was initially issued.
An initial inspection will be done prior to a license being issued. Four to six months later, if an individual has been placed in your home, a revisit inspection will occur. After that, inspections will occur annually (including the first year) in the month the license was initially issued.
How long will licensing inspections take?
An initial inspection usually takes less than an hour. Annual and revisit inspections may take several hours or more, depending on the number of people placed in your home and other factors.
An initial inspection usually takes less than an hour. Annual and revisit inspections may take several hours or more, depending on the number of people placed in your home and other factors.
CCH FAQ for Licensee 11-2001.doc (11-2011)