WAC 388-825-252   Family support services.  (1) The purpose of the family support program is to reduce or eliminate the need for out-of-home residential placement of an individual with developmental disabilities where it is in the best interest of the person to continue living with their family.

     (2) The department's family support services include the following and become available only after you have used your full benefits through medicaid, private insurance, school and child development services:

     (a) Respite care is intermittent relief to the family caregiver and may include community activities which provide respite;

     (b) Nursing services provided by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, that cannot be provided by an unlicenced caregiver, including but not limited to, ventilation, catheterization, insulin injections, etc.;

     (c) Therapeutic services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, communication therapy, behavior management, or counseling needed by individuals with developmental disabilities.

     (3) Receiving family support services is based on:

     (a) Funding for state paid services available in the state operating budget;

     (b) SSP funding available to the individual/family.

     (4) The following rules, subsections (5) through (9), apply only to family support services authorized by the department and do not govern services purchased by the family with SSP (state supplementary payment) funding (see WAC 388-827-0145 and 388-827-0170).

     (5) Up to nine hundred dollars of the service need level amount in WAC 388-825-254 may be used during a one year period for use as follows. The requested service must be necessary as a result of the disability of the individual and after you have used your full benefits through medicaid, private insurance, school and child development services:

     (a) Training and supports including parenting classes and disability related support groups. This does not include registration or costs related to conferences;

     (b) Specialized equipment and supplies including the purchase, rental, loan or refurbishment of specialized equipment or adaptive equipment not covered by another resource including medicaid. Mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs are included, as well as communication devices and medical supplies such as diapers for children three years of age and older;

     (c) Environmental modification including home repairs for damages or modifications to the home needed because of the disability of the individual;

     (d) Medical/dental services not covered by any other resource. This may include the payment of insurance premiums and deductibles and is limited to the premiums and deductibles of the individual;

     (e) Special formulas or specially prepared foods as prescribed by a licensed physician and needed because of the disability of the individual;

     (f) Parent/family counseling related to the individual's disability, dealing with a diagnosis, grief and loss issues, genetic counseling and behavior management. Payments cannot be approved for services occurring after the death of the eligible individual;

     (g) Specialized clothing adapted for a physical disability, excessive wear clothing, or specialized footwear;

     (h) Specialized utility costs including extraordinary supplemental utility costs related to the individual's disability or medical condition;

     (i) If another resource is not available, transportation costs, including gas, ferry or transit cost, so an individual can receive essential services and appointments; per diem costs may be reimbursed for medical appointments. Funds cannot be used for the purchase or rental of a car or for airfare.

     (6) Recommendations will be made to the regional administrator by a review committee. The regional administrator will approve or disapprove the request and will communicate reasons for denial to the committee.

     (7) Payment for services specified in subsection (5) shall cover only the portion of cost attributable to the individual.

     (8) Requests must be received by DDD no later than midway through the service authorization period unless circumstances exist justifying an emergency.

     (9) A plan shall be developed jointly by the family and the department for each service authorization period. The department may choose whether to contract directly with the vendor, to authorize purchase by another agency, or may reimburse the parent of the individual.

     (10) Emergency services. Emergency funds may be requested for use in response to a single incident or situation or short term crisis such as care giver hospitalization, absence, or incapacity. The request shall include anticipated resolution of the situation. Funds shall be provided for a limited period not to exceed two months. All requests are to be reviewed and approved or denied by DDD.

     (a) If approved, you will receive emergency services for a limited time period, not to exceed two months.

     (b) If denied, you have no appeal rights.

     (11) If the individual becomes eligible and begins to receive medicaid personal care services as defined in chapters 388-71 and 388-72A WAC or other DSHS in-home residential support service, the family support funding will be reduced at the beginning of the next month of service. The family will receive notice of the reconfiguration of services at least five working days before the beginning of the month.

     (12) Family support services may be authorized below the amount requested by the family for the period. When, during the authorized service period, family support services are reduced or terminated below the amount specified in service authorizations, the department shall deem such actions as a reduction or termination of services.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 71A.12.030, 71.A12.120 [71A.12.120], and chapter 71A.12 RCW. 04-22-068, § 388-825-252, filed 10/29/04, effective 11/29/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 71A.12.030, 71A.10.020 and 2002 c 371. 04-02-014, § 388-825-252, filed 12/29/03, effective 1/29/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 71A.16.010, 71A.16.030, 71A.12.030, chapter 71A.20 RCW, RCW 72.01.090, and 72.33.125. 02-16-014, § 388-825-252, filed 7/25/02, effective 8/25/02. 99-19-104, recodified as § 388-825-252, filed 9/20/99, effective 9/20/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 71A.12.030, 71A.12.040 and Title 71A RCW. 97-13-051, § 275-27-220, filed 6/13/97, effective 7/14/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 71A.12.040 and 43.43.745. 94-04-092 (Order 3702), § 275-27-220, filed 2/1/94, effective 3/4/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 71A.12.040. 92-09-114 (Order 3372), § 275-27-220, filed 4/21/92, effective 5/22/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 71.20.070. 88-05-004 (Order 2596), § 275-27-220, filed 2/5/88; 86-18-049 (Order 2418), § 275-27-220, filed 8/29/86.]