The Department of Health and Human Services recognizes the need for a new standardized needs assessment tool for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) or Autism who seek services under the MaineCare Section 21 and 29 Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs. In partnership with service recipients, families, providers, and other stakeholders, the Department is beginning a process through which a needs assessment tool can be selected and implemented. This project will begin in May 2021 and is expected to continue through March 2025.
This project is part of reform work that is already underway at the Department’s Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS). The implementation of this assessment tool is expected to provide fair and equitable determinations of need as well as other beneficial changes and efficiencies within the IDD service system.
Understanding why OADS needs a reliable and conflict-free needs-assessment, and how the SIS-A was chosen:
Project Milestones
Winter 2022 – Assessment implementation start with Orientation Sessions for internal staff and stakeholders in December 2022, outreach to members, and training of interviewers and community case management staff.
Winter-Spring 2023 – Assessments begin.
Beyond Spring 2023 - Ongoing Assessments and Data Analysis to inform the A Path for ME Lifespan Project.
Announcements
Members and Families Can Register to help train assessors in Maine:
Members and Families can register to support the training of assessors, with a reimbursement, please use this form: https://forms.office.com/g/zyztWVydmc
Or they can reach out to Maximus by emailing: Maine-SIS@maximus.com
OADS Selects Maximus as the conflict-free assessor vendor for the SIS-A in Maine:
Maximus has been contracted to partner with the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) to administer the Supports Intensity Scale for Adults (SIS-A) Assessments, beginning in Mid-Spring 2023. For more information about Maximus and details about the SIS-A and how it will work, see their website: Maximus
Needs Assessment Presentations
- Scheduling and Referral Process - January 2023 (PowerPoint)
- Scheduling and Referral Process - January 2023 (Zoom Recording)
- Orientation to "A Path for ME" SIS-A Assessment - December 2022 (PowerPoint)
- Orientation to "A Path for ME" SIS-A Assessment - December 2022 (Zoom Recording)
- Choosing a Fair and Reliable Needs Assessment Tool (PowerPoint)
- Choosing a Fair and Reliable Needs Assessment Tool (Zoom Recording)
Please come back to this page for updated information or send an email with your questions to OADS.NAproject@maine.gov.