FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions for Families
How does someone get placed into a CCH?
An individual who is interested in moving out of their family home needs to work with their case manager to be placed on the regional waiting list for residential supports. When funding becomes available, the person and their family are encouraged to consider various types of support options. CCH’s are one of many options and offers people a residential setting in a family environment.
What does the CCH Licensee do?
A CCH licensee offers a safe and nurturing home by giving guidance, support and personal attention. The licensee plays an active role in the individual’s team and the collaborative development of a support plan. The support plan is based on the team’s knowledge of the individual’s personal challenges, strengths, skills, preferences and desired outcomes. The plan provides guidelines and specific strategies that address the person’s needs in the social, behavioral and skill areas and is designed to lead to positive lifestyle changes. Living in a home environment presents daily opportunities to acquire and use new skills. The licensee helps the individual participate in family and community activities and facilitate a relationship with the person and his/her natural family and the general community. They help the person learn and use community resources and services as well as participate in activities that are valued and appropriate for the person’s age, gender and culture. The licensee ensures that the person’s identified health and medical needs are met and comply with licensing regulations of the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services.
How are licensees trained?
The initial training includes an overview of disabilities, abuse and neglect prevention and reporting, CPR, infection control, program development, interacting with families, language and communication needs, medical emergency procedures and positive behavioral supports. There are also individual and team training sessions for topics that relate specifically to the person’s needs.
What is the role of the natural family?
The natural family continues to play an active role in the person’s life. In most cases they are a primary resource for the development of the relationship between the individual and the licensee family. They are active team members, attending team meetings and assisting in the development of the program and they are also a natural respite support to the licensee family. Working with the licensee, the natural family participates in ensuring that the individual’s health and medical needs are met as well as other needs are met.
What if it doesn’t work out? What if I am not happy?
The team will meet and try to address the issues. If it cannot be resolved through the team process, the case manager will work with you to identify other options. If it is urgent, you can call your case manager right away.
What is the difference between a DDS supported CCH and a CCH supported by one of our private licensees?
There should be no difference in the types of supports, but you will want to make sure that all of the supports that you need are available.
What will be the expectations for me if I move to a CCH?
You will be expected to treat everyone in the home with respect and allow everyone their own privacy. You will be expected to be an active member of the family and participate in family activities and routines.
Will I get to choose the family I live with?
Yes, we use a matching process to look at similar interests and backgrounds and look for compatible matches. You will have opportunities to visit the proposed family and make your own choice.
What does my Case Manager and other staff do to support me?
The case manager will visit you at least every three months to see how you are doing. Other staff may visit on a regular basis depending on what you need.
What happens to my entitlements?
All entitlements will be used to cover your cost of care. You will have a spending allowance to use on personal needs, recreation, clothing, etc. If you make over a certain amount of earnings, your wages may also go to the cost of care.
What kind of monitoring will DDS Central Office do to ensure that I or my family member will be safe, healthy and receive the proper services in a Community Training Home?
Quality reviewers from Central Office will visit the CCH prior to its being licensed to make sure that the environment is safe and that the CCH licensee has been properly trained. After an individual moves into a new CCH, a review will occur within four to six months to make sure that the appropriate services are being provided. After that, reviews will occur annually. Reviewers will look at a number of different areas of an individual’s life (e.g. individual plan, health care, finances, human rights, etc.) to make sure that the individual’s needs and goals are being met.
Frequently Asked Questions for for Licensees
What does the CCH Licensee do?
A CCH licensee offers a safe and nurturing home by giving guidance, support and personal attention. The licensee plays an active role in the individual’s team and the collaborative development of a support plan. The support plan is based on the team’s knowledge of the individual’s personal challenges, strengths, skills, preferences and desired outcomes. The plan provides guidelines and specific strategies that address the person’s needs in the social, behavioral and skill areas and is designed to lead to positive lifestyle changes. Living in a home environment presents daily opportunities to acquire and use new skills. The licensee helps the individual participate in family and community activities and facilitate a relationship with the person and his/her natural family and the general community. They help the person learn and use community resources and services as well as participate in activities that are valued and appropriate for the person’s age, gender and culture. The licensee ensures that the person’s identified health and medical needs are met and comply with licensing regulations of the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services.
How are licensees trained?
The initial training includes an overview of disabilities, abuse and neglect prevention and reporting, CPR, infection control, program development, interacting with families, language and communication needs, medical emergency procedures and positive behavioral supports. There are also individual and team training sessions for topics that relate specifically to the person’s needs.
What is the role of the natural family?
The natural family continues to play an active role in the person’s life. In most cases they are a primary resource for the development of the relationship between the individual and the licensee family. They are active team members, attending team meetings and assisting in the development of the program and they are also a natural respite support to the licensee family. Working with the licensee, the natural family participates in ensuring that the individual’s health and medical needs are met as well as other needs are met.
What will I learn by becoming a licensee?
Licensees will learn to provide basic needs (communication, everyday living skills, medical needs, use of adaptive equipment, behavior modification techniques). Licensees also assist clients in making new friends, maintaining old friendships, support contacts with their family members and include them in home and community activities.
Am I guaranteed that people will be place in my home?
DDS has no obligation to place people in your CCH.
Will I have a choice of who lives with me?
Yes, we use a matching process to look at similar interests and backgrounds and look for compatible matches. The person will have an opportunity to visit you in your home before a decision is made.
What happens if I am sick or have an emergency?
You are encouraged to identify a “designee”. This is someone who will get to know the person and can provide emergency back-up. This designee needs to be at least 18 years old, but does not have to be licensed.
What happens if the person has to stay home from their day program? Do I have to take time off from my job?
The team will work with you to identify a back-up plan such as a respite licensee or your designee.
Who pays the client medical bills?
The client’s medical bills will be paid for by various state agencies.
What is the difference between a CCH and a DCF foster home?
It is a different license with DCF. DCF places only children. DDS is looking for homes for adults as well as children.
How long does the licensing process take?
It varies depending on how quickly you send in the required documentation and if there are any issues with the home inspection. It will take four to eight months.
How often will licensing inspections occur?
An initial inspection will be done prior to a license being issued. Four to six months later, if an individual has been placed in your home, a revisit inspection will occur. After that, inspections will occur annually (including the first year) in the month the license was initially issued.
How long will licensing inspections take?
An initial inspection usually takes less than an hour. Annual and revisit inspections may take several hours or more, depending on the number of people placed in your home and other factors.