DHS COVID-19 PROVIDER GUIDANCE // ODP
ODP Announcement 20-063: Reinstatement of the Supports Intensity Scale-Audit (SIS) and Pennsylvania Supplement Assessments
Issued: May 28, 2020
Audience
All Stakeholders
Purpose
The purpose of this communication is to announce that effective June 1, 2020, the
Supports Intensity Scale-Adult™ (SIS-A
TM) and Pennsylvania (PA) Supplement
assessments will be reinstated for counties that have transitioned to the yellow and
green phases of Governor Wolf’s Plan to Reopen Pennsylvania.
Discussion
As counties transition to the yellow and green phases, ODP will be beginning virtual SISA
TM and PA Supplement assessments through a conservative roll-out strategy,
concentrating first on 5-year reassessments, prioritizing those that are overdue, and
select individuals identified by ODP.
ODP will gradually increase the target population.
ODP has been working collaboratively with the American Association on Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) and Keystone Peer Review Organization (KEPRO) to
develop operating procedures that will allow for the completion of the SIS-A
TM and PA
Supplement assessments virtually.
The assessment tools, submission requests and approval process will remain the same.
Below is a description of what will need to be done differently when scheduling and
completing a virtual assessment.
- Once the assessment is scheduled, a confirmation email will be sent from KEPRO
containing information on how to access the SIS-A Respondent Guide For Use with Remote Assessments and a link to join the assessment. If a respondent does not
have an email address, KEPRO will mail this information to the respondent.
- The SIS Assessor will need to have a virtual view of the individual being assessed.
This requires the individual to have access to a device that has audio and video
capabilities. If an individual does not have access to a device with audio and video
capabilities, the virtual assessment cannot be completed.
- Respondents that can should also participate virtually (audio and video capabilities).
If the respondent cannot participate virtually and has access to a landline phone, the
respondent should be sent by mail the telephone number of a secure conference
line to dial in.
- Respondent teams should plan on logging in to the meeting ten minutes prior to the
assessment start time. This will allow time for troubleshooting any connectivity
issues.
- Virtual assessments may take longer to complete. Ample time should be allocated
(up to three hours) for accurate information to be obtained. Breaks should be
offered during the assessment and respondents should be instructed to feel free to
request a break any time one is needed.
- As an additional level of quality oversight, an ODP Regional SIS Lead and/or KEPRO
quality staff may listen in on the assessment.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your SIS Regional Lead.