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. In partnership with service recipients, families, providers, and other stakeholders, the Department has selected the SIS-A 2nd Edition for use in Maine. The SIS-A is intended to be used for all participants in the planned Lifespan Waiver and in 2023 and 2024 is being used to inform the Lifespan design, and to support Person Centered Planning. This project began 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
Community Case Manager, Pauline Gendron, shares her experience of SIS-A
Watch the video of Pauline describing her experience and how she uses it.
Josh tells us about his Maine SIS-A Experience
Watch the video of Josh telling us about his SIS-A experience.
SIS-A Experience Quotes:
SIS-A Satisfaction Surveys have been conducted voluntarily with people who have participated in an assessment since 2023. Here is a selection of these comments from a recent survey:
- "Donna did a great job of explaining the process to us all. It was my first time attending a SIS assessment, and I found her explanations to be respectful and effective. She was honestly interested in the client and his service needs. She was very respectful to the client and everyone in attendance. She asked meaningful questions and validated the client’s life and values." - Adult Case Manager
- "She was very knowledgeable and friendly. It was an amazing experience." -– Adult Case Manager
- "Great tool but Donna is the BEST!!!!" -– Adult Case Manager
- "Assessments have historically been pretty grueling and demoralizing. Donna was respectful, clear, positive and nonjudgmental. I felt safe in being as open as possible and even had a few good laughs. Donna did a great job in getting to our core." - Guardian
- "Meeting went well and was great experience." – Adult Case Manager
- "Thank you, Donna! You make this an educational but fun assessment!" -– Adult Case Manager
A Mom recently shared another unique perspective on the SIS-A experience:
“Yesterday’s assessor was a true pro: she explained her questions, listened carefully to answers, asked follow-up questions, observed my son carefully, and adjusted her interactions with him. Most importantly, she was flexible. I asked the assessor to start with any questions she had for my son and to wait to read her explanation of the process until he had a chance to talk with her. He left the field after 10 minutes. He just couldn’t stay there (for the entire assessment), and the assessor was quite relaxed about it. I felt that my son - his preferences and the supports he’d need for both ADLs and to fulfill his wishes - were documented.”
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
SIS-A Assessment Presentations
- SIS-A Member and Family Update- May 2023 (PowerPoint)
- 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.