Assessment for Services
After you are enrolled in DDCS and have requested services, the next step is an assessment. This determines if you are eligible to receive services.
If you are found eligible for paid service, you will get a copy of:
- Your Person-Centered Service Plan.
- A Planned Action Notice that tells you about the services you are eligible to receive.
If the assessment determines that you are not eligible for paid services, you will get:
- A copy of the assessment.
- Information and referrals to community resources.
What to Expect
Your case manager will come to your home or wherever you choose to meet. The assessment typically takes about 3 hours. During that time, your case manager will ask about your support needs across several areas of your life. They use the assessment to:
- Create your Person-Centered Service Plan.
- Determine your level of services.
- Authorize payment to service providers.
You will always be included in your assessment. In addition, at least one person who has known you for at least six months is required to join you.
For more information on the DDCS Assessment check out WAC Chapter 388-828.
There are three sections in the DDCS Assessment:
- The Support Assessment
The Support Assessment asks questions about what supports you need to be successful. It helps your case manager assess things like waiver eligibility, caregiver needs, behavioral support needs and protective supervision. Your case manager uses it to create your Person-Centered Service Plan.
- The Children’s Support Assessment is used for clients aged 15 and younger.
- The Support Intensity Scale is used for clients aged 16 and older. The SIS is a nationally used assessment tool for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also assesses employment support needs.
The SIS is conducted every five years. Your case manager will ask every question in the SIS to ensure all support needs are up to date. This is called a Directed Assessment. All other years, your case manager will do an overview of each section. They may explore specific questions about goals in your plan. It’s more conversational.
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Support Assessment Documents
- The Service Level Assessment
The SLA asks questions about the supports you have now or that have been provided during lookback periods. Your case manager will use the department’s comprehensive assessment reporting evaluation, or CARE tool. Refer to WAC Chapter 388-106 for detailed information. Your answers help your case resource manager create your Person-Centered Service Plan.
- The Person-Centered Service Plan
This describes the paid services you are approved to receive. It also includes informal (unpaid) supports and goals you have agreed to. You can ask for a change or update to the Person-Centered Service Plan at any time. This is called a Plan Amendment.
Assessment Types:
- Initial Assessment. This takes place when you first ask for services.
- Annual Assessment. This takes place yearly.
- Significant Change Assessment. This is completed when there is a significant change in your support needs. An example would be if you have an increased need for medical or behavioral supports. This can happen at any time during the year.
- Interim Assessment. This takes place when an update is needed to the supports you receive from paid and unpaid caregivers. This can happen at any time during the year.
Informational Flyers
- DDA Assessment for Self-Advocates
- DDA Assessment for Families
- A Guide to Residential Service Levels of Support
Contacts
- For information on the Support Assessment: Erin Fatland, Joint Requirements Planning Unit Manager, Erin.fatland@dshs.wa.gov
- For information on the Service Level Assessment: Melissa Randles, State Plan Services Unit Manager, melissa.randles@dshs.wa.gov
- For information on the Person-Centered Service Plan: Anthony Blue, Quality Control and Compliance Unit Manager, anthony.blue@dshs.wa.gov
- For more information on how to become eligible for the Developmental Disabilities Administration, click here