Best Practices – Provider

Practice
Originally, the provider was working with the person and their support circle to have benefits transferred. After several tries over a period of several months, with no positive results, the provider heard about assistance that could be accessed through a higher level within our governmental system. The provider made contact with and received assistance from a congressional resource to get healthcare and social security benefits transferred from Orange County to Volusia County.

Who Benefits? The Individual
How? Healthcare and social security benefits were transferred to the county in which the person now resides. The individual can now resume regular healthcare appointments and use social security benefits in a timely manner.

Practice
Ms. Brown of Afire makes a practice of educating individuals who utilize the organizations transportation services of their right to file a grievance related to their transportation services. As a practice, the vans used for transporting have a sign posted with the phone number to call if anyone has a complaint about their transportation services.

Who Benefits?
How? The individual benefits as they are being educated on their right to file a complaint and their right to be transported safely. The individual also benefits by being empowered to take action if they feel their services are not the best they can be.

Practice
Ms. Dilenge has created a “Communication with family and others involved in your care” form. The intent of this form is to sit down with the individual in which you render services to and talk to them about their preferences related to confidentiality. This form specifies the person and their relationship to the client and specific instructions and limitations the individual has relayed to the provider for sharing of information with their circle of supports. Individuals have expressed that they don’t want their health information or financial information shared with a particular person or details of what information they would like shared. The details of the person’s preferences are tracked on this form and the form is placed in the individuals file. The individual is informed of their right to update or make changes to this form at any time. It is the practice of Ms. Dilenge to review this form with each person at least annually and as deemed necessary.

Who Benefits?
How? The individual benefits as this system captures the persons preferences related to confidentiality as well as provides an opportunity to teach the individual about their right to confidentiality. Staff benefit as there is a clear system that lets them know who they can and can not release information to and what information can be released.

Practice
The provider has created a database that links the individual, WSC, and provider. The site has security protocols to ensure HIPAA compliance. Employees enter the service logs directly. The provider ensures a back up system in a secure environment. WSC’s can access the database to obtain implementation plans, monthly summaries, annual summaries, and to view service logs. Additionally, the WSC can share the individual support plan. The individual has access and also utilization of an electronic signature that is password protected by the individual.

Who Benefits?
How? Individuals and families benefit as they are able to view their own service logs and other billing documentation for accuracy WSC benefit as they are able to access the documentation easily. The provider benefits from the ability to track service logs as well as the reduction of overhead costs

Practice
Individuals are conducting fire drills in their home and assuming a role that was previously a staff responsibility. The Local Fire Department trained the group home director, staff and individuals on evacuation procedures, locating exits, using fire extinguishers and helping one another in case of emergency including the rolling technique. Individuals learned how to evacuate their group home and follow the safety procedures taught by the Local Fire Department. One of the individuals considers it cool that he gets to document the procedure, time and duration of the evacuation. According to the group home director, the staff and group home manager supervise the process but the individuals are empowered to take a leadership role for their safety. Individuals are eager to continue practicing these drills as they rotate every month. Individuals are continuously learning how to secure their safety in case of a fire.

Who Benefits?
How? Individuals are continuously learning how to react to secure their safety in case of a fire.

Practice
Once a year during a house meeting, the provider invites a representative of the Advocacy Center to attend. During this meeting, the “house rules” are reviewed and developed with the individuals. The Advocacy Center ensures individuals’ rights are upheld.

Who Benefits?
How? Individuals have an outside entity ensuring their rights are not being violated and become aware of this community resource. The provider benefits by making the connection with and utilizing this community resource on behalf of the individuals served.

Practice
The ARC of Palm Beach County has been the lead Agency for the Supported, Competitive, and Integrated Employment Training (SCIETT) Project funded through the University of South Florida and the Florida Developmental Disability Council. This project has brought extensive training by national experts to the community and is attended by employment staff. There are network meetings as part of the SCIETT project including teams throughout the state and local meetings attended by provider agencies.

Who Benefits?
How? This project is in its second year and the leadership teams are working towards improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

Practice
Happy Mail Club–a pen pal program with soldiers stationed in Iraq, which started three years ago. Individuals correspond with deployed soldiers overseas via letters, cards, care packages, etc.

Who Benefits?
How? Individuals in the Pen Pal program, as well as soldiers serving in the US Armed Forces benefit from the contact. Relationships are forged, developed and maintained throughout the years.

Practice
During the tour and observation of the group home the provider showed the consultant and Nurse the medication cart. It was a refurbished dresser and it fit in with the home décor.

Who Benefits?
How? All the individuals benefit from this practice as it enhances the home environment atmosphere over a medical environment. When guests visit, they would not be looking at a medication cart since the furniture fits in with the home, enhancing areas of dignity and privacy for individuals.

Practice
The provider tapped into one individual’s interest in learning to do crafts. The woman was educated about various crafts (scrapbooking, beading, etc.) through the ADT program. From there, they supported her to be exposed to new craft ideas through craft classes in the community where she was able to enhance her skills. She was also afforded the opportunity to volunteer at a nursing home where she could put her skills to work. As a result she is now exploring the possibility of experiencing a paid position utilizing her skills (she is in the process of applying to become an activities coordinator in a nursing home).

Who Benefits?
How? The person receiving services benefits because she has been able to receive education, exposure and experience in order to make an informed decision about a paid position she wants to pursue that matches her interests.