OLYMPIA – According to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) signed an agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) May 9, 2018, to resolve issues that resulted in decertifications at two Residential Habilitation Centers late last year.
In December 2017, CMS decertified Program Area Team (PAT) E at Rainier School in Buckley, and PAT A at Fircrest School in Shoreline. Both PATs provide adult residential services and were cited for not being in compliance with some Conditions of Participation for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.
Per the agreement signed on May 9, 2018, DDA will have up to 180 days to remedy the situation. In the interim DDA will maintain its certifications. Additionally, DDA must hire an expert consultant to assess operations within the two PATs and prepare a root-cause analysis report. The report will focus on issues related to physical plant and structure, culture, personnel and other factors that may have contributed to both PATs not maintaining CMS’s Conditions of Participation. The department will contract with Westcare Healthcare Management for this work.
DDA will work with the consultants to develop corrective action plans for both PATs. These plans are required to be completed within 100 days of the settlement signing. Sometime between 120 and 180 days post settlement, Residential Care Services, on behalf of CMS, will conduct an unannounced survey of both PATs.
No later than 180 days from the date parties sign the agreements, CMS will issue a final Notice of Disposition to each facility.
“The well-being of clients at our residential habilitation centers is paramount,” said Don Clintsman, DSHS chief of staff. “We will continue providing all necessary services to the residents living at Rainier and Fircrest as we work through the settlement agreements.”
Clintsman said the agency appreciates the chance provided by CMS to improve facility operations.
“Our goal is to meet and maintain the requirements necessary to maintain Medicaid certification.”
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