Expanding the Provision of Behavioral Supports
Legislation Proposed
By not permitting licensed professions for which the provision of Behavioral Supports is included in their licensing regulation’s scope of practice, DHS/DDD Community Care and Support Program Waiver is:
- At odds with the requirements in DCF/CSOC.
- Foregoing pragmatism in the service of care. There are not enough behavior analysts in the state. As a result, providers are probably paying more than they should for the services, plan approvals are delayed, and providers are out of compliance.
- Limiting broad based treatment efficacy. DHS recently noted that “studies show that too many systems of care for people with IDD continue to focus on controlling and managing challenging behavior without adequate consideration of the potential for underlying mental health or medical conditions as the causes of the behavior.”[1] Tapping various professions will expand the talent pool, treatment modalities, and care models and help DHS make inroads into addressing the concern it has raised.
- Limiting an individual with IDD’s choice of care.
We thank Assemblywoman Speight, Chairperson of the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee, for sponsoring this important legislation, A4943, the passage of which will enable individuals, families and providers to draw on qualified professionals to expand the talent pool and treatment modalities improving access, scope of care, and choice for the individuals served by the DHS/DDD system.
