(a) "Aversive Procedure" means the planned use of an event which may be unpleasant, noxious, or otherwise cause discomfort to alter the occurrence of a specific behavior. These procedures include the use of physical isolation, mechanical and physical restraint.
(b) "Behavior modifying medications" means any chemical agent used for the direct effect it exerts upon the central nervous system to modify thoughts, feelings, mental activities, mood, or performance. These chemical agents or psychotropic medications are often broken down into antimanics, antianxiety agents, antipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants, and sedative/hypnotics. Medications which are not usually described as psychotropics are covered by this definition when they are prescribed primarily for their psychotropic effects such as mood stabilization and impulse control. These medications include certain anticonvulsants, some beta-blockers, and certain other drugs.
(c) "Case manager" means the person responsible for assisting individuals to gain access to department services, managing development of the client's overall plan of services, securing and/or coordinating services, monitoring client progress, maintaining family contact, collecting and disseminating data and information.
(d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of developmental services.
(e) "Community training home (CTH)" means a private family home in which three or fewer adults or children with mental retardation or autism reside and which is licensed pursuant to Section 17a-227 CGS. For children, the CTH provides a substitute family for those who cannot live with their own families or for whom adoption is not immediately possible. For adults, the CTH provides a nurturing home environment where adults can share responsibilities, develop mutual relationships, be independent and make their own choices.
(f) "CTH home study" means a compilation of information gathered through processes of visitation, interview and research which includes the following topics: general information, family members, applicants as individuals, family/individual in function, health status, desired characteristics of individuals to be placed, physical aspects of the home, neighborhood and community and social worker's evaluation.
(g) "Community training home residential survey" means a checklist that is used during the licensing procedure to determine that general conditions in the home meet the standards contained in these regulations.
(h) "Department" means the department of developmental services (DDS).
(i) "Designee" means a person selected to act on someone's behalf.
(j) "DMR policies" means written procedures and rules issued by the commissioner which govern the operation of the department and organizations and persons licensed to conduct or maintain private facilities pursuant to Section 17a-227 CGS.
(k) "Direct contact person" means any person, other than the licensee or his designee who provides personal care services, supervision or assistance to residents.
(l) "Document" means to provide material that is evidence of compliance with applicable regulatory standards. Such material may take any form which is sufficient to document compliance.
(m) "Dwelling" means any building designed for human habitation.
(n) "Emergency" means a critical circumstance in which the health or safety of the client or other persons must be protected immediately.
(o) "Fire safety inspection report" means a checklist that is used to determine compliance with the current edition of the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code, as amended by the department.
(p) "Individual" means any person with mental retardation or autism who resides in a private residence conducted or maintained by a person or organization licensed pursuant to Section 17a-227 CGS and these regulations.
(q) "Habilitation" means the process by which a person with mental retardation or autism is helped to acquire those life skills which enable him to experience community presence and participation, provide him with opportunities to develop and exercise competence, to make choices, to develop meaningful relationships and to be accorded respect and dignity.
(r) "Human rights committee" means a group of individuals who are not employees of the department, who provide monitoring to ensure the protection of legally guaranteed rights of persons who are mentally retarded and are recognized to do so by the region.
(s) "Interdisciplinary team (IDT)" means a group of persons which includes the individual being served, his or her family, guardian or advocate, those persons who work most directly with the individual in each of the professions, disciplines, or service areas that provide service to the individual, including direct care staff, and any other persons whose participation is relevant to identifying the needs of the individual, devising ways to meet them, writing an Overall Plan of Services and reviewing the plan for effectiveness.
(t) "License" means written authorization issued by the commissioner to any person or organization to conduct or maintain a private residence for the lodging of persons with mental retardation or autism for a period of up to one year.
(u) "Licensee" means the person who is authorized by the commissioner to conduct or maintain a private residence for the lodging of persons with mental retardation or autism and is responsible to the department for complying with the provisions of these regulations.
(v) "Mechanical restraint" means any apparatus that restricts movement. Helmets, mitts and similar devices used to prevent self injury are considered mechanical restraints.
(w) "Occupant" means any person residing in a home licensed as a community training home including residents placed there by the department and non-retarded persons residing there for whatever reason.
(x) "Overall plan of services (OPS)" means a document which specifies a strategy to guide the delivery of service to a client for up to one year.
(y) "Personal care services" means assistance to individuals which allows them to perform their routine activities of daily living to maintain independence, health, personal appearance, comfort, safety and interactions within their community.
(z) "Physical restraint" means physically holding a client to restrict movement or to prevent the client from harming himself or others.
(aa) "Private residence" means any dwelling that is conducted or maintained by a person or organization, licensed pursuant to Section 17a-227 G.S., as a residence for the lodging of persons with mental retardation, autism or both.
(bb) "Program review committee" means a group of professionals who are assembled to review client programs and behavior modifying medications to ensure that they are clinically sound, supported by proper documentation, and that they provide the least restrictive service within as normalized a setting as possible and are recognized by the region to do so.
(cc) "Provisional license" means a license which is issued in response to an application for renewal if, for any reason, the department has not denied or issued a permanent license within thirty (30) days after the expiration date of the previous license. A provisional license is valid for not more than 180 days.
(dd) "Region" means the management of a geographical subdivision of the state as defined by the department of developmental services.
(ee) "Record" means written information pertaining to each resident which shall include administrative, treatment and educational data.
(ff) "Specific service plan" means a component of the overall plan of service that is written and implemented by a member of the interdisciplinary team to implement the goals assigned to that team member.
(Effective August 24, 1994.)
Regs. Conn. State Agencies § 17a-227-23, CT ADC § 17a-227-23
CT ADC § 17a-227-23