Dulla Developmental Services

1.1 Agency Name

Dulla Developmental Services

1.2 Mission Statement

Dulla Developmental Services is committed to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to lead meaningful, self-directed lives within their communities. We provide person-centered, high-quality waiver services that promote independence, dignity, and inclusion.

1.3 Vision

A community where every individual with a developmental disability has access to the supports they need to thrive, participate fully, and achieve their personal goals.

1.4 Core Values

1.5 Legal Authority & Regulatory Framework

Dulla Developmental Services operates in compliance with:

1.6 Service Area

Dulla Developmental Services provides waiver services to individuals residing in approved Ohio counties. A current list of service counties is maintained in the administrative office and updated annually.

2.1 Eligibility Requirements

To receive services from Dulla Developmental Services, an individual must:

2.2 Qualifying Developmental Disabilities

Per ORC 5123.01, qualifying conditions include:

2.3 Intake & Enrollment Process

1. Referral received from the County Board of DD, MCO, SSA, guardian, or individual

2. Initial inquiry call and eligibility pre-screening completed within 2 business days

3. Intake appointment scheduled — individual, guardian, and Support Administrator (SA) or Service and Support Administrator (SSA) invited

4. Review of current ISP, authorizations, health and safety needs, behavioral history, and consent documents

5. Service Agreement signed by individual/guardian and Dulla Developmental Services

6. Services initiated in accordance with the ISP start date

2.4 Non-Discrimination

Dulla Developmental Services does not discriminate in enrollment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability severity, or source of payment. All denials of enrollment must be documented in writing with the reason stated and provided to the applicant within 5 business days.

2.5 Waiting List Policy

If Dulla Developmental Services cannot immediately enroll an individual due to capacity limitations, the individual will be placed on a waiting list in order of referral date. The individual and their representative will be notified of their status in writing within 5 business days and updated quarterly.

3.1 Purpose of the ISP

The Individual Service Plan (ISP) is the central document governing all services provided by Dulla Developmental Services. It reflects the individual's goals, preferences, needs, and the specific supports authorized for them.

3.2 ISP Development & Review

3.3 Service Authorization

3.4 Person-Centered Principles in Service Delivery

3.5 ISP Amendments

When a change in services is needed:

1. Staff or guardian notifies the SA/SSA of the need for a change

2. SA/SSA facilitates an ISP amendment meeting

3. Amended ISP is distributed to all providers before changes take effect

4. Dulla Developmental Services documents the date of receipt of each amended ISP

3.6 Confidentiality of ISP

ISP documents are confidential. They are shared only with individuals directly involved in the care of the individual, with the individual's written consent, or as required by law.

4.1 Authorized Waiver Services

Dulla Developmental Services is certified to provide the following services under Ohio DODD Medicaid Waivers (subject to current certification):

Residential Services

Day & Community Supports

Individual Support Services

Behavioral & Therapeutic Supports

4.2 Scope of Services

Services are provided only within the scope authorized in the individual's ISP and in accordance with Dulla Developmental Services' DODD certification. Staff may not provide medical procedures unless specifically trained, certified, and authorized to do so in the ISP.

4.3 Limitations

Dulla Developmental Services does not provide:

4.4 New Service Requests

Requests for new or expanded services must be submitted to the individual's SA/SSA for authorization. Dulla Developmental Services will not initiate new service types without a valid authorization.

5.1 Minimum Hiring Requirements

All direct support professionals (DSPs) and other staff must meet the following before working with individuals:

5.2 Required Pre-Service Training

Prior to working independently with individuals, all staff must complete:

5.3 Annual Training Requirements

All direct support staff must complete annually:

5.4 Supervision

5.5 Professional Boundaries

Staff must maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times. Staff may not:

6.1 Fundamental Rights

Every individual receiving services from Dulla Developmental Services has the right to:

6.2 HCBS Settings Rule Compliance

In accordance with 42 CFR § 441.301 (CMS HCBS Final Rule), all settings where Dulla Developmental Services provides services must:

6.3 Rights Restrictions

A restriction on an individual's rights may only occur when:

6.4 Advocacy Resources

Dulla Developmental Services provides individuals and families with information about:

7.1 Zero Tolerance Policy

Dulla Developmental Services maintains a zero tolerance policy for abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals served. Any confirmed act of ANE will result in immediate disciplinary action up to and including termination and referral to law enforcement.

7.2 Definitions

Per ORC 5123.50:

7.3 Mandatory Reporting Obligations

All Dulla Developmental Services employees are mandatory reporters under Ohio law. Staff must immediately report known or suspected ANE to:

1. Their direct supervisor (same day)

2. Dulla Developmental Services Administrator (same day)

3. DODD's Incident Reporting System (IRS) — within 24 hours of discovery

4. The individual's County Board of DD — within 24 hours

5. Adult Protective Services (if applicable): 1-855-644-6277

6. Law enforcement — if criminal activity is suspected

Failure to report suspected ANE is a violation of Ohio law and agency policy and will result in disciplinary action.

7.4 Incident Reporting — DODD IRS

All reportable incidents must be entered into the DODD Incident Reporting System (IRS):

7.5 Investigation

7.6 Whistleblower Protection

Staff who report ANE in good faith are protected from retaliation. Any retaliation against a reporting employee is a violation of agency policy and Ohio law.

8.1 Health & Safety Planning

Dulla Developmental Services ensures each individual has a Health and Safety Plan (HSP) on file that addresses known risks, medical conditions, behavioral considerations, and emergency protocols. The HSP is developed in coordination with the individual's ISP team.

8.2 Medical Needs Management

8.3 Medication Administration

8.4 Emergency Procedures

Staff must be trained on and prepared to respond to:

Emergency contact numbers, evacuation routes, and crisis procedures must be posted in all service settings.

8.5 Infection Control

8.6 Home & Environment Safety

9.1 Documentation Standards

All documentation must be:

9.2 Required Documentation per Service

For each service event, documentation must include:

9.3 Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)

Per the 21st Century Cures Act and Ohio Medicaid requirements, Dulla Developmental Services uses EVV for applicable in-home services:

9.4 Retention Requirements

9.5 HIPAA Compliance

10.1 Incident Categories

Dulla Developmental Services uses the DODD Incident Reporting System (IRS) classifications:

Immediate Reportable Incidents (report within 24 hours):

Non-Immediate Reportable Incidents (report within 3 business days):

10.2 Immediate Response Protocol

When an incident occurs:

1. Ensure individual safety — call 911 if there is immediate danger or medical need

2. Notify supervisor immediately by phone

3. Provide first aid or other appropriate immediate support

4. Do not leave the individual unattended unless directed by emergency services

5. Preserve the environment if abuse or exploitation is suspected (do not clean up or move items)

6. Complete written documentation within 24 hours

10.3 Incident Report Requirements

Each incident report must include:

10.4 Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Action

For all serious or repeated incidents:

10.5 Notification Requirements

11.1 Right to File a Grievance

Every individual and their authorized representative has the right to file a grievance regarding any aspect of services provided by Dulla Developmental Services without fear of retaliation, service reduction, or discharge.

11.2 How to File a Grievance

Grievances may be filed:

11.3 Grievance Resolution Timeline

1. Grievance acknowledged in writing within 2 business days of receipt

2. Investigation initiated immediately

3. Written resolution provided within 10 business days

4. If the grievance cannot be resolved within 10 days, the individual is notified in writing of the delay and expected resolution date

11.4 Service Denial or Reduction Appeals

If Dulla Developmental Services denies, reduces, or terminates services, the individual has the right to appeal:

11.5 External Complaint Resources

11.6 Non-Retaliation

Any Dulla Developmental Services employee who retaliates against an individual or family member for filing a grievance will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

12.1 Quality Assurance Program

Dulla Developmental Services maintains an active Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) program that includes:

12.2 DODD Provider Certification Compliance

Dulla Developmental Services maintains current DODD provider certification for all services offered. The Administrator is responsible for:

12.3 MCO Provider Agreements

Dulla Developmental Services complies with all requirements of its managed care organization (MCO) provider agreements, including:

12.4 Corrective Action Process

When a quality deficiency is identified:

1. Document in the QA log

2. Identify root cause

3. Develop and implement a Corrective Action Plan within 10 business days

4. Re-monitor to verify effectiveness within 30 days

5. Report to agency leadership and DODD if required

12.5 Individual Satisfaction

12.6 Staff Performance Monitoring

13.1 Billing Integrity

Dulla Developmental Services bills only for services that were:

13.2 Waiver Billing Requirements

13.3 EVV Reconciliation

13.4 Fraud, Waste & Abuse (FWA) Prevention

Dulla Developmental Services strictly prohibits:

All staff are trained on FWA prevention. Suspected FWA must be reported immediately to the Dulla Developmental Services Administrator. Reports may also be made to the Ohio Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) at 1-800-686-1516.

13.5 Overpayments

Any identified overpayment must be returned to the payer within 60 days of identification, per CMS and ODM requirements. All overpayment refunds are documented in the billing record.

13.6 Record Availability for Audit

All billing records and supporting service documentation must be available for review by DODD, ODM, MCOs, CMS, or OMIG upon request.

14.1 Policy Review Schedule

This Policy and Procedure Manual will be reviewed:

14.2 Policy Revisions

All revisions to this manual will be:

14.3 Staff Acknowledgment

All Dulla Developmental Services staff must sign an acknowledgment confirming receipt and understanding of this Policy and Procedure Manual prior to beginning work with individuals and upon each annual review.

Staff Acknowledgment Form

I, the undersigned, acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand the Dulla Developmental Services Policy and Procedure Manual. I agree to comply with all policies and procedures outlined herein and understand that violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination, loss of certification, and potential legal action.

 

Employee Printed Name: _________________________________________

 

Employee Signature: ___________________________________________    Date: _______________

 

Job Title / Role: _______________________________________________

 

Program / Service Area: ________________________________________

 

Supervisor Signature: __________________________________________    Date: _______________

*Dulla Developmental Services · Ohio DODD Medicaid Waiver Provider*

*IO Waiver · Level One Waiver · SELF Waiver · My Life My Choice Waiver*

*Effective Date: October 2026 · Version 1.0*

*This document is confidential and for internal use only. Do not distribute without authorization from the Dulla Developmental Services Administrator.*