SSQUAL RFR Bidder Conference 3_8_22.pptx

Support Services SSQUAL-23 Bidders Conference March 8, 2022

Document type Date

CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY

Any use of this material without specific permission is strictly prohibited

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Unit of measure 1 Footnote Source: Source Title Unit of measure Confidential – for policy development purposes only Legend

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PRELIMINARY

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Welcome Introduction of DDS Staff Agenda Overview Review of nine Support Services that are being Bid High level review of each Support Service Submission and Proposal Review Power Point will be posted on COMMBUYS

Welcome and Housekeeping

Updated March 10, 2022

Questions Use chat function to type question We will stop and respond to questions after each Section and each Service Description If question will be answered later in presentation, we will defer responding We won’t be answering any questions on how rates of payment were determined, rate reviews, etc.

If we need to confer as a team to respond to a specific question, we will post the answer on COMMBUYS with the other Questions and Answers

Housekeeping Continued

Originally Issued in 2010; RFR has been updated multiple times during its life to modify services purchased. Current contracts terminate 6/30/2022 Current providers must respond and be awarded a contract in order to continue to provide services after July 1 Support Services Qualification Master Agreement DDS Central Office will execute the Master Agreement contract Contract will specify Support Services a bidder is qualified to provide Services will be managed by Regional Contract Offices All services are reimbursed according to regulated rates:

101 CMR 414.00 Family Stabilization 101 CMR 420.00 Adult Long Term Residential Services 101 CMR 423.00 Rates for Certain In Home Basic Living Services

Overview of SSQUAL RFR Support Services Qualifying List (SSQUAL) RFR

ALTR Bootcamp

BID/RFR: Array of services to support individuals and families in more individualized and flexible ways, and to maximize waiver reimbursement for certain services Services being rebid:

Adult Companion Behavioral Supports and Consultation Family Navigation (Adults and Children) Individualized Home Supports Peer Supports Respite in the Recipient’s/Family Home (Adults) Respite/Stabilization in Caregiver’s Home (Adults) Site Based Respite (Adults) Respite in Recipient’s/Family Home (Children)

Services Being BID

Departmental Priorities Person centered planning; individualized service approach Positive Behavioral Supports: Includes a broad range of strategies for helping individuals improve their social and functional skills. Intended to transform how services are provided to individuals Supportive Technology: Increases access to and utilization of technology Home and Community Based Waiver Program: Adult support services except for Family Navigation Following services can be provided Virtually on a limited basis: Behavioral Supports and Consultation, Individualized Home Supports and Peer Supports Guidance on the delivery of virtual services will be issued in FY2023

Overview of RFR

Staff must be18 years of age of older Criminal Offense Records Inquiry (CORI) Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014: National Background Check Fingerprint Based Background Check Chapter 19 of the Acts of 2020: Providers are required to consult the Disabled Person Protection Commission (DPPC) Registry of Abuse Care Providers prior to hire of prospective employees Other staffing requirements will be included under individual Service Descriptions

Minimum Staffing Requirements: All Programs

Adult Companion Used for companionship / socialization for individuals to do activities in community or at home Not skill-oriented services Service provides companion/supervision Can be used for small group activities Increase rates by aligning with rates for respite services Service Descriptions

Behavioral Supports and Consultation Service description aligns with PBS Standards outlined in 115 CMR 5.14 Standards to Promote Dignity Staff qualifications must meet PBS standards Refer to RFR. Qualified Clinician must meet independent licensure and relevant experience working with I/DD population Resume must show that this position has appropriate credentials, training and experience Department may periodically review qualifications and ensure continued compliance through duration of RFR

Family Navigation Stand alone service Does not include navigation supported through DDS/DESE program, Agency with Choice or Family/Autism Support Centers Agency staff must have a Bachelor’s degree and experience in the Human Service Field or five years experience Staff must have necessary experience and knowledge of interventions, community resources, etc.

Peer Supports Provide training, instruction and mentoring to individual/s in areas of self advocacy, leadership development civic participation, etc. Goal is to foster fuller engagement in community life Self advocate providing 1:1 peer support/mentoring Advisor / Supporter to self-advocacy group members Peer support by a person without a disability (ex. college student) to adults served by DDS

Individualized Home Supports Provides support and supervision necessary for individual to maintain a living arrangement in the family home Primary purposes: Skill development, training and building independence. Secondary purpose is socialization Licensable service if provider is serving individuals 15 hours or more a week Reimburse at Level C: 101 CMR 423.00 May authorize services at Level F: Individual with assessed significant needs that requires higher level of education and experience

Respite Overview: Adults and Children DDS provides several mechanisms for accessing respite service to include Family Support flexible funding and self direction SSQUAL-23 Respite: Contract with provider organizations who are responsible for the training and supervision of staff providing service Short term services for individuals who are unable to care for themselves when the primary caregiver is absent or there is a need for short relief for the caregiver May also include enrichment and socialization experience for the individual Assistance with basic activities of daily living may be provided but must be incidental to support of the individual

Adult Respite Respite for Adults in the Recipient/Family Home Respite/Stabilization in the Caregiver’s Home Site Based Respite Adult Respite in the Recipient/Family Home Planned service that can occur in the home of the family, community or at a community setting Hourly service Primarily provided on a 1:1 basis, but may also be provided in small group settings such as 1:2 or 1:3 ratios of staff to participants Service is not available to individuals who live in 24-hour licensed group home, shared living or live independently

Adult Respite/Stabilization in a Caregiver’s Home Procuring two activity codes under this service Common to both Daily service that includes overnight supervision Provided outside of the individual’s home by a paid caregiver.

Licensable service: Bidder must have Residential/Placement license or hold contract with DDS for Shared Living Respite:

Planned service for a short and defined period of time Stabilization Emergency situations such as the family caregiver is ill and the individual cannot remain at their family home or current residence

Adult Site Based Respite Planned service that provides 24/7 supervision and support in a residential home setting Maximum number of individuals who can be supported at a site at any given time is 5 individuals Licensable services: Bidders must have Residential license or be qualified by DDS for ALTR Aligning rate structure with ALTR rates: Operational services billed as an accommodation rate with a companion occupancy contract Providers will be paid for all days where program is available Based on regular schedule of program negotiated with Region / Area Providers must still report attendance, but reimbursement is not dependent on attendance

Children’s Respite in the Recipient’s/Family Home Planned, short/term service Available to children living at home with their family May be provided in order to provide a break for the family as well as enrichment/socialization experience for the child Provided typically on a 1:1 basis but may also be provided in small group settings such as 1:2 or 1:3 ratios of staff to children

DDS is not procuring Children’s Respite in the Caregiver’s Home or Site Based Respite at this time. These services will be rebid this summer for a January 1, 2023 start date. Contracts with providers currently providing these services will be extended as interim for six months.

Timeline Deadline for Questions: March 8 at 5:00 pm.

Submit Questions: DDSPOSProcurement@mass.gov Proposals for a July 1 start date must be uploaded to COMMBUYS by April 11 at 5:00 Rolling enrollment RFR: Proposals will continue to be reviewed, evaluated and scored on a quarterly basis starting in July 2022 Once qualified, a bidder does not have to resubmit responses to Part I questions Awards announced Mid-May

Timelines

Responses Service and Location Checklist Part I Response Document plus organizational charts Part II Response Document for each service seeking to be qualified to provide For Behavioral Supports and Consultation include resume of the Qualified Clinician Supplier Diversity Plan Form for POS Standard Contract Form and Authorized Signatory Listing: Complete and mail originals to address noted in RFR If a provider is qualified, a DDS signatory will co-sign the contact and forward to awarded provider Any bidder that is not financially and administratively pre-qualified by an EHS department must begin this process before uploading a proposal

Responding to BID/RFR

Scoring To be qualified, bidder must receive a score of 1 on each Part I and each Part II question Bidder must also receive a score of 1 on Supplier Diversity Plan Form for POS. Blank forms or forms that do not include certified partners as defined in the RFR and the Supplier Diversity Office policy, will not be awarded a contract Evaluation team may request clarifications once before determining final score Once qualified and awarded a contract, a provider can submit proposals to be qualified for other support services up to 6/30/31.

Scoring/Evaluation Process

Final Questions

Questions and Answers will be posted on COMMBUYS

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