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Family Support FAQs
Frequently asked questions to help parents and families get familiarized with what we do and the services we offer.
What is Family Support Services(FSS)?
FSS are family-centered services that are provided for an eligible client in order for the client to remain in an appropriate home environment. Family Support Services provides: (a) short-term Respite Care when a specialized trained caregiver is needed in order to meet the individual’s needs. Respite Care is provided when the parents/primary caregivers are absent, and can be delivered in the family home or in another location; (b) Supportive Home Care which provides a specialized trained care giver to work with the parents/family when additional help is needed to meet the individual’s needs; (c) Family Care Option, out-of-home support which is provided in a licensed family home.
How do I know if I am eligible for services?
After receiving a developmental disability diagnosis, the caregiver/guardian can apply for the North Dakota Home and Community Based Waiver through Southeast Human Service center in Fargo.
How do I get started with services?
After you have been found eligible, your Developmental Disability Program Manager (DDPM) can put in a referral to the organization of your choice to request services. Once a referral is sent, NDAC will review the request and will prompt a meeting date/time to conduct an intake meeting to get services started.
What Waiver do I need to be on to receive In Home Support services?
You must be on the Developmental Disabilities Waiver of North Dakota to get this free service. This waiver is different from the Autism Waiver and the Autism Voucher.
Do you accept private pay options?
Yes, the rate is 36.41 and is not covered by insurance. It is best to have ND Medicaid after obtaining eligibility on the DD Waiver.
Does NDAC only work with Autism diagnoses?
No, although the Autism center does specialize in Autism, we care for individuals with many different diagnoses.
Does NDAC only provide care to children?
No, in-home supports can be provided to individuals of any age as long as they live at home with a parent(s) or guardian.
I have multiple children using IHS, can I use one staff to care for both at the same time?
For families who have more than one participant in the household receiving IHS service, each participant’s individual needs are evaluated by the team to determine if staff can be safely supervise both children and maintain their health and safety.
Can staff watch my other children not on this service in the home at the same time?
If the team has determined it would be possible without putting the participant’s health and safety at risk, ‘Sibling Care’ can be checked on the authorization. Siblings must be able to take care of themselves in the absence of the caregiver and only need minor assistance during the scheduled shift.
Can NDAC provide staff to my loved one who lives outside the family home?
In-Home Support cannot be provided in a Family Care Option setting, but may be authorized in the natural family home when the participant is present and the proper requirements are met.
Who will come to my home?
A trained caregiver titled a Direct Support Professional (DSP) will come into your home. He/She provides assistance with life skills development, health maintenance and medication administration, personal care, and behavioral development in the person’s home setting and in community based settings. Their main priority is to carry out the strategies set forth by family and the team to help the person served achieve their goals and realize personal outcomes, in both formal and informal settings; and, to document the results so they can be used to determine if the persons served are making progress towards their dreams and outcomes.
May an individuals' family member become a direct support professional?
Individuals providing IHS may not live in the same home as the participant. If a family member lives in a different home, the family member may become a direct support professional.
Are staff able to take a consumer into the community?
Yes, in-home supports can be provided in the home or in the community depending on the needs of the individual and family.
What activities do you do with consumers?
Direct support professionals (DSPs) may assist and support individuals to do whichever activities they desire. This includes everything from homework to skateboarding. DSPs may also bring individuals to events such as sporting events, concerts and therapy sessions.
Can you provide services during the school day?
If your loved one is school aged, Center for Medicaid (CMS) does not allow NDAC to provide care during school hours. If your loved one is not in school yet, NDAC can provide care any time of the day. IHS is not authorized when Part B services of IDEA are offered through the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction as indicated in the participants active IEP. If your loved one has finished their schooling and attending a day support program, NDAC can’t provide services during the time day support programs are offered.
What is the wait time to begin services?
Typically, this program doesn’t have a wait list and we can immediately take on new consumers. The wait time may vary to get staffing in the home. The average wait time to get staffing is 3-4 weeks after an admission meeting is held.
Can you provide care to Minnesota (and out of state) residents?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide care to MN residents. If you live in MN and would like more information, please see the Minnesota Department of Human Services Webpage.
Can I use self-directed supports and NDAC?
An IHS participant cannot be authorized to receive both provider managed and self-directed at the same time. If you are currently self-directed and would like to learn more about NDAC, please contact your DDPM and set up a meet and greet with one of our representatives.
Do DSP's need qualifications to be hired?
For the safety and quality care of our consumers our Direct Support Professionals are required to undergo the following:
- Personal Driving Record Check
- Criminal & Non-criminal background checks
- Must be 18 years old
- Multi-state background checks
- Sex Offender Registry check
- Child abuse and neglect background checks
- Pre-Employment Drug screening test
- High school diploma or equivalent
Staff must also attend and successfully complete 25 hours of orientation.
Can I choose my support staff?
Yes, NDAC will provide a staff member of your choice to the home if you refer them and they can meet the hiring criteria. NDAC will hire an employee that meets all hiring criteria, then a parent/guardian will meet the person before setting the permanent schedule with them. If personalities don’t match well, NDAC will provide a new staff person and services will continue when the parent/guardian is happy with the staffing choice.
Can staff drive my loved one?
Yes, direct support professionals can transport your loved one to and from activities if you wish. All employees undergo a Personal Driving Record check, as well as participate in a short course on safe driving. They can use their personal vehicles or a family vehicle. Families are responsible to pay the staff mileage when the consumer is in the vehicle. Schedules and rate of payment can be discussed between the staff and the family.
What training will staff receive?
Direct Support Professionals receive over 25 hours of orientation and training. NDAC covers a wide variety of trainings, including the following;
- Autism/DD/ID Overview
- Prompting, Fading, Shaping, Errorless teaching
- Reinforcement
- Behavior Management
- Natural Environment Training
- Social Skills Programming
- CPR/First Aid
- Crisis Prevention Intervention & Therapeutic Response
- Medication Administration Training
- Mandated Reporting
- HIPAA Training
- Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation training
- Parent Training in the home
May staff assist an individual during day habilitation or behavioral consultations?
IHS shall not be furnished or billed at the same time of day as other services that provide direct care to the individual. These services include Medicaid State Plan Services, Extended Home Health Care, Parenting Support, Behavioral Consultation, Day Habilitation, Homemaker services, Prevocational Services, Small Group Employment Supports, or Individual Employment. IHS cannot duplicate any other service in this waiver.
How often can staff work?
Staff can work with an individual for their allotted hour authorization determined by his/her DDPM. The number on an individuals’ authorization reflects how much support is needed. This can be increased or decreased depending on the persons’ circumstances through the DDPM.