Q: Tell me about the level of training, experience, and required credentialing for staff providing services to individuals. A: Each Direct Care Staff must have a High School diploma or equivalent. Each receives extensive pre-service training, annual training and training specific to the individual served. Training includes, but is not limited to, CPR and First Aid, Signs and Symptoms of Illness, Special Needs specific to the individual, Medication Management and Administration, Verbal and PhysicalIntervention, Confidentiality, Abuse and Neglect, Rights, Documentation and Reporting, Ethics, Fire and Safety, HCS Program review, Infection Control, Nutrition, Oral Hygiene, Lifting and Positioning, Personnel Policies and Procedures, Injury prevention, and ACH Program Philosophy.
Q: Describe ways in which you involve the individuals, guardians, and family members in the development of the individual's program. How do you incorporate a family's preference when they are different from what the agency wants?
A: Individualized services plan are developed using a Person-Directed planning approach. This allows the individual served and family the opportunity to voice their preferences in the development of services and supports. However the team will agree on what services best meets the individuals’ needs at that time.
Q: Does your agency have experienced and professional staff who train new staff or provide mentoring?
A: Yes, the management staff has at least 5 years experience in the field of developmental disabilities, with a minimum of three years required.
Q: Does your agency train staff in any type of crisis intervention?
A: Each staff member receives Crisis Intervention training. Additionally, supervisors and nurses are on call 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Q: How does your agency develop plans for persons with behavior problems? Are plans approved by a Behavior Therapy Committee, Human Rights Committee or by a psychiatrist? If plans are reviewed by a Human Rights Committee, is the Human Rights Committee made up of outside members, professionals, parents and individuals?
A: All behavior plans are developed jointly by the psychologists and necessary team members, including the individual and family members. All plans involving intrusive or restrictive procedures require review and approval by ACH’s Human Rights Committee, the composition of which includes community and family representatives.
Q: What are your policies regarding visitors?
A: Our doors are always open. We welcome and encourage visitors.
Q: What are your policies regarding privacy?
A: We respect each individual’s right to privacy.
Q: What type of leisure/recreational activities will be available? Does my family member choose their daily routine?
A: Individuals are offered and choose their daily routines and activities. These choices are from those generally available in the community in which that individual lives.
Q: What type of transportation does your program provide?
A: ACH provides transportation to activities as specified in each Individual’s Program Plan in vehicles owned by the agency.
Q: How do you accommodate persons who are non-ambulatory?
A: Each residence will be modified to fit the needs of the individuals who live at that home.
Q: Do you have staff who speaks other languages? If not, will you have an interpreter available?
A: Staff are available who speak a number of languages. Interpreter services are used through contract in instances where no staff is available who are fluent in a given language.
Q: How do you accommodate persons who are non-verbal? Is staff trained in sign language or augmentative communication devices?
A: Assistance is provided through a variety of methods, including augmentative communication devices, and sign language. ACH staff that are fluent in the use of these techniques and also have expertise with tactual sign language for individuals who are deaf and/or blind will assist the individual with meeting their needs.
Q: What provision will your company make for my family member to attend the religious services of his or her choice?
A: We facilitate each individual in attending the religious service of their choice by coordinating transportation and attendant services where needed.
Q: What are your back-up procedures when there is an emergency?
A: An emergency 24-hour on-call system is used in all areas for all administrative and medical issues, with highly trained team
members responsible for these duty rotations.
Q: Is staff available to support my family member to participate in activities in the community? (e.g., Girl Scouts, religious activities, sports)?
A: ACH staff in all areas are actively involved in supporting individuals in activities limited only by choices of each individual and community availability.
Q: How and where will my family member be cared for when he or she is ill?
A: The individual and family makes their healthcare provider choices based on the available medical resources in the community which accept that individual’s health coverage plan. ACH staff facilitate and coordinate these services.
Q: Do you have medical staff on site or on call for medical or dental issues? Is medical staff willing to practice/rehearse with my family member what to expect when going to the doctor, hospital or dentist?
A: The nurse is on call 24 hours daily to assist with medical and dental issues. ACH’s nursing staff team members have extensive experience in preparing individuals for medical procedures and appointments.
Q: What choices will my family member have concerning day programming, vocational training, supported employment, etc.?
A: In most areas where available, ACH has multiple options for each of these services. ACHactively promotes contracting with other community providers of these services.
Q: Describe how staff trains individuals in daily living skills.
A: Each individual Person Directed Plan provides specific direction to team members on methods to employ and teach
specific skills to that individual. The individual’s case manager and the staff supervisor specifically train each person working with the individual in these techniques.
Q: What geographical locations do you serve?
A: ACH services are available in most areas of Texas.
Q: Will the home serving my family member be located in close proximity to school / day program /place of employment?
A: All ACH homes will be located in communities easily accessible to shopping, entertainment, dining, and employment and day opportunities.
Q: How does your agency build community awareness about persons with disabilities moving into their neighborhood? How does your agency resolve concerns from neighborhood families?
A: ACH has completed a survey, which focused on persons with disabilities moving into residential neighborhood and have found minimal concern in this area. However, concerns that are brought to our attention will be addressed immediately by a director at the corporate office.
Q: Describe your complaint process.
A: Complaints regarding Anointed Caring Homes’ practices or policies may be directed to any ACH staff member or The Department of Aging and Disability Services without fear of retaliation from ACH or its staff members. ACH will make every effort to resolve complaints by conducting thorough investigations of the situations and being open to suggestions and ideas of others. All complaints are reviewed each quarter by the Quality Advisory Committee to ensure each has been adequately resolved. Individuals served and their families are provided with this information upon enrollment.
Q: What screenings do you require when staff are hired (drug screen, criminal background check, abuse/neglect)?
A: All team members undergo extensive screenings including criminal history; employee misconduct and nurses aid registry, random drug screenings and background reference checks.