115 CMR 2.01
Definitions
As used in 115 CMR, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Adaptive Behavior. The quality of everyday performance in coping with environmental demands
(what people do to take care of themselves and to relate to others in daily living).
Adequate. With respect to services or supports, that they are in compliance with the regulations
of the Department or of the agency of the Commonwealth with legal responsibility for licensure
or regulation.
Adult Supports. A variety of support models designed to support individuals with intellectual
disability that have informal and generic supports available to them and who do not need
intensive or community living supports, as defined in 115 CMR 2.01, to live in the community.
Adult Supports includes supports to assist the individual to develop and acquire work skills,
assist the family or caregiver to coordinate informal or generic supports (service coordination),
community-based day support, individualized home supports, respite, adult companion and
assistive technology. Adult Supports includes the supports identified in the Adult Supports
Waiver for Adults with Intellectual Disability approved by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services under the Social Security Act, § 1915(c).
Antipsychotic Medication. Medication that is used to treat a thought disorder of psychotic
proportions as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5 edition,
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as revised or in subsequent editions and revisions, of the American Psychiatric Association, and
which has been designated by medical authorities as belonging to the class of medications
categorized as antipsychotic medication.
Appropriate. With respect to a service or support or facility, that it is sufficient to provide the
quality and quantity of staff, assistance, intervention, and environment to meet the individual's
needs or objectives indicated in his or her Individual Service Plan (ISP). With respect to an
intervention strategy, appropriate means designed to achieve the desired goal or objective.
Area of Service. The geographical area determined by the Department to be the locality for the
organization, coordination, and provision of services and supports to an individual. The
principle consideration is the preference of the individual. Other factors considered in
determining an individual's area of service are:
(a) the individual's needs;
(b) the availability of appropriate services or supports within a given locality;
(c) the location of the individual's family and friends; and
(d)
if the individual is younger than 22 years old, the location of the city or town in
Massachusetts responsible for providing special education under M.G.L. c. 71B.
Area Office. The locally based office of the Department, and the employees therein, responsible
for the organization, coordination, and provision of services or supports to individuals whose
area of service falls within that office's geographical scope as designated by the Department.
Arranged by the Department. With respect to services or supports, made available to the
individual through referral by the Department to agencies, organizations, or persons other than
facilities, services or supports operated, licensed, certified, or contracted by the Department.
(Mass. Register #1411 2/21/20)
Autism Spectrum Disorder. Has the same meaning as in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders, 5 edition.
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Available. With respect to a facility, service or support, that the provider has the staff, resources,
assistance, and space to meet the needs or objectives indicated in an individual's ISP and has not
been designated for another individual with a higher priority of need for services or supports.
Capable of Evacuation. The capability of an individual to exit his or her residence to grade level
within 2½ minutes with or without assistance.
Certification. Verification by the Department of the quality of providers’ services and supports
described at 115 CMR 8.01(3): Certification based upon their compliance with certification
standards and quality outcomes for individuals set forth at 115 CMR 7.04: Standards for
Services and Supports or the approval issued by the Department to a licensed provider with
respect to certain behavior modification treatments in accordance with 115 CMR 5.14A: Level
III Interventions.
Chemical Restraint. See 115 CMR 5.02: Definitions.
Children's Supports. Family support services provided to individuals younger than 22 years old
who reside in their family home, or enhanced or specialized family supports which are available
upon referral and assessment by the Department.
Closely Related Developmental Conditions. Genetic, neurodevelopmental or physical disorders
that have a significant overlap with intellectual disability, and result in similar support needs.
For the purposes of 115 CMR 6.06(1), closely related developmental conditions may include:
(a) Williams Syndrome;
(b) Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome;
(c) Angelman Syndrome;
(d) Cri du Chat Syndrome;
(e) Down Syndrome;
(f) Fragile X Syndrome;
(g) Cerebral Palsy;
(h) Rett’s Syndrome
(i) Spina Bifida (Myelomeningocele type MMC);
(j) Tuberous Sclerosis;
(k) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; or
(l) any other developmental disorder that the Department determines to be a closely related
developmental condition.
Commissioner. The Commissioner of the Department of Developmental Services.
Community. A city, town, district, neighborhood, or other commonly recognized geographical
or political area.
Community Developmental Disability Supports. A variety of support models designed to
support individuals with Developmental Disability (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Prader-Willi
Syndrome, or Smith-Magenis Syndrome) who are living in the community. Community
Developmental Disability Supports may include day and employment services, family supports,
individualized home supports to an individual residing in his or her home or family home and,
based upon an individual’s assessed need, support to stabilize the individual in his or her own
home, family home or in the home of another. The availability of these services is subject to
appropriation, and the types of services may be changed based on further assessment of the needs
of such persons.
Community Living Supports. A variety of support models designed to support individuals with
intellectual disability that need a moderate level of support that is less than 24 hours per day
living in the community. Community Living Supports may include those supports identified in
the Community Living Supports Waiver for Adults with Intellectual Disability approved by the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Social Security Act, § 1915(c).
Community Resources. Workplaces, businesses, places of worship, social groups, consultants,
health care facilities or professionals, places for recreation or entertainment, and other facilities,
professionals, or supports generally available to the population-at-large within a community.
Department. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
Designated Representative. A person who has come forward as an advocate for the individual's
interests, or whom the individual has, through consent, chosen as a representative, in connection
with the development and review of the ISP, who is not otherwise disqualified from taking an
appeal therefrom, and who is acknowledged by the Department to be the designated
representative for the individual in connection with such service planning, in accordance with
115 CMR 6.20: Introduction to Individual Support Planning.
Developmental Disability. For persons who are five years of age or older, a severe, chronic
disability that:
(a) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment resulting from Intellectual Disability,
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Smith-Magenis Syndrome or Prader-Willi Syndrome;
(b) is manifested before the individual attains 22 years of age;
(c) is likely to continue indefinitely; and
(d) results in substantial functional limitations.
Emergency Restraint. “Restraint" as that term is used in M.G.L. c. 123B, § 1, and defined at
115 CMR 5.02: Definitions.
Facility. (Formerly referred to as a "state school" and referenced in M.G.L. c. 19B, §§ 7 through
10 and 12 as such.) Unless otherwise specified, any of the facilities operated by the Department
listed in 115 CMR 3.03: Designation of Facilities/State Schools. This definition does not apply
within the context of 115 CMR 3.06: Charges for Care - Department Facilities governing
charges for care or within the context of 115 CMR 2.01: Community Resources.
Facility Director. The chief executive officer of a facility, and also is intended to mean the
"superintendent" referenced in M.G.L. c. 19B, §§ 8 and 10 and throughout M.G.L. c. 123B.
Family. Parents, foster parents, spouses, siblings, and others who perform the roles and
functions of family members in the life of an individual, including persons in a relationship of
mutual support with an individual that is exclusive and expected to endure over time.
Family Supports. A variety of supports designed to assist individuals and their families that
include services such as respite, family training and leadership development, support to assist
the individual to participate in the community, social or recreational activities, and home
modifications.
Generic Service. Services, supports, or treatment options generally available to the population-
at-large with or without special accommodations for persons with Intellectual Disability or
Developmental Disability.
Goals. Long-range outcomes generally expected to be achieved by an individual within five
years and stated in measurable terms so that their attainment can be determined. Goals are
developed from an evaluation of the individual's present performance, abilities and desires as
these relate to what society expects of persons of the same age and culture who do not have
disabilities.
Governing Board. The group of individuals that constitute the governing body of a provider.
Guardian. With respect to persons younger than 18 years old, a natural or adoptive parent, or the
individual or agency with legal guardianship of the person; and with respect to persons 18 years
of age and older, the individual, organization or agency, if any, that has been appointed legal
guardian of the person by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Habilitation. The process by which an individual is assisted to acquire and maintain those life
skills necessary to cope more effectively with personal and environmental demands or to
improve physical, mental, and social competencies.
Head of the Provider. The person with executive responsibility for the operation of the
provider's agency, services, or supports. Where a provider operates at more than one location,
"head of the provider" includes the person with responsibility for the operation at a particular
location. Where the provider is a facility, the head of the provider is the facility director.
Individual. Except where otherwise specified, a person receiving services or supports provided,
purchased, or arranged by the Department.
Individual Support Plan or ISP. A written plan of services or supports for an individual, which
is developed, implemented, reviewed, and modified according to the requirements of the
Department's regulations on individual support plans.
Individualized Home Supports (Individual Supports). A variety of services and supports that are
provided regularly, but that are less than 23 hours per day, and that are determined necessary to
prevent institutionalization. This service may include teaching and fostering the acquisition,
retention or improvement of skills related to personal finance, health, shopping, use of
community resources, community safety, and other social and adaptive skills to live in the
community as specified in the Service Plan.
Intellectual Disability. Consistent with the standard contained in the American Association of
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports
(2010), 11 edition, significantly sub-average intellectual functioning existing concurrently with
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and related to significant limitations in adaptive functioning. Intellectual Disability originates
before 18 years of age. A person with Intellectual Disability may be considered to be mentally
ill as defined in 104 CMR: Department of Mental Health, provided that no person with
Intellectual Disability shall be considered to be mentally ill solely by reason of his or her
Intellectual Disability. The determination of the presence or absence of Intellectual Disability
requires the exercise of clinical judgment.
Intellectual Disability Supports. A variety of support models, including Adult Supports,
Community Living Supports or Intensive Supports that are designed to support individuals with
Intellectual Disability living in the community. The availability of these supports is subject to
appropriation, and the types of services included under these support models may be changed
based on further assessment of the needs of such persons.
Intensive Supports. A variety of support models designed to support individuals with Intellectual
Disability that need supervision and support provided 24 hours per day seven days per week to
an individual living in an out-of-home setting or in their family home, or in the family home less
than 24 hours per day. Intensive Supports includes those supports identified in the Intensive
Support Waiver for Adults with Intellectual Disability approved by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services under § 1915(c) of the Social Security Act.
Intervention Strategy. Training or teaching procedure, a manipulation or change of environment
or the provision of supports designed to teach or assist an individual to achieve a goal or a
specific objective. Depending on its content, an intervention strategy may also fall within the
definition of a Level III Intervention set forth under 115 CMR 5.14A(2): Level III Interventions.
Knowing Objection. The act of an individual in rejecting a choice, made with a reasonable
degree of awareness of the likely consequences of his or her act.
Least Restrictive. Those settings, modes of service, and styles of living or working that are most
similar to and most integrated with what is typical and age-appropriate in the community, and
which interfere the least with the individual's independence.
Legal Representative or Legally Authorized Representative. With respect to an individual, an
attorney representing the individual in connection with a particular matter, a court appointed
trustee, conservator, or guardian ad litem representing the interests of the individual in
connection with particular matters, or the individual's guardian.
Legally Competent or Presumed Competent. For individuals 18 years of age or older, not having
been declared by a court to be incapable of making informed decisions with respect to the
conduct of one's personal and/or financial affairs.
License. The legal authorization to provide services or supports described in 115 CMR 8.02(1)
to persons with Intellectual Disability or Developmental Disability required by M.G.L. c. 19B.
Licensee. The individual, agency, or other legal entity licensed by the Department.
Mechanical Restraint. See 115 CMR 5.02: Definitions.
Medication Incidental to Treatment. Sedatives or anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a
qualified practitioner for the sole purpose of relaxing or calming an individual so he or she may
receive medical treatment.
Minor. A person younger than 18 years old.
Non-self-medicating. Personally using medication in the manner directed by the prescribing
practitioner only with assistance or direction by program or facility staff, in accordance with
Department standards (see Self-medicating).
Objective. Short term outcomes stated in behavioral or otherwise measurable terms, expected
to be achieved through the provision of a particular service or support, the implementation of a
particular intervention strategy, or a change of modification of the environment.
Physical Restraint. See 115 CMR 5.02: Definitions.
Prader-Willi Syndrome. Consistent with the definition of the National Institute of Health, a
neurologic condition that typically results from a specific genetic abnormality affecting the
regulation of gene expression; for purposes of 115 CMR, the diagnosis of Prader-Willi
Syndrome must be supported by a medical diagnosis based upon genetic testing.
PRN. With respect to the prescription and administration of a prescribed medication, "pro re
nata", meaning "as circumstances arise" or "as needed".
Provided by the Department. Made available to the individual directly through employees of the
Department at Department expense.
Provider. The individual, agency or other legal entity with day-to-day responsibility for
the operation of services or supports or facilities regulated by the Department by law or contract.
In accordance with the foregoing definition, a provision which applies to "providers" applies
with equal force to the Department's service, supports, or facilities, unless otherwise specified.
Purchased by the Department. Made available to an individual through a contract between the
Department and a private or other non-Departmental entity.
Region. Depending on the context:
(a) a grouping of area offices as determined by the Commissioner;
(b) the geographic area represented by such a grouping; or
(c) the office established by the Commissioner as appropriate to supervise area offices
within a grouping of area offices and to perform administrative or service functions for the
geographic area represented by the grouping.
Research. A systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable
knowledge and involving access to human subjects or private information, with the exceptions
set forth in 115 CMR 10.00: Research.
Self-medicating. Personally using medication in the manner directed by a health care provider,
without assistance or direction by program or facility staff, in accordance with Department
standards. A verbal reminder that the time for taking a dose of medication has arrived or
providing mechanical assistance under the direction of the individual in order that he or she can
self-medicate does not constitute assistance or direction by program staff.
Service Coordinator. The person designated by the Department to arrange, coordinate, or
monitor, or to remain informed about, services or supports provided, purchased, or arranged by
the Department for a particular individual and to be responsible for the development of an ISP
for the individual.
Services. A system of formalized supports, generic or specialized.
Severe Functional Impairments. Functional impairments in at least three specified areas of
adaptive functioning, based upon normative expectations of the types of skills normally acquired
as the child develops, as measured by standardized assessment or comparable data. The areas
of adaptive functioning considered are: self-care, communication (receptive or expressive
language), learning, mobility, and self-direction and, for individuals 14 years of age or older,
capacity for independent living and economic self-sufficiency.
Significant Limitations in Adaptive Functioning. For purposes of establishing intellectual
disability, an overall composite adaptive functioning limitation that is approximately two
standard deviations below the mean or approximately two standard deviations below the mean
in one of the three domains of the appropriate norming sample determined from the findings of
assessment using a comprehensive, standardized measure of adaptive behavior, interpreted by
a qualified practitioner. The domains of adaptive functioning that are assessed shall be:
(a) areas of independent living/practical skills;
(b) cognitive, communication, and academic/conceptual skills; and
(c) social competence/social skills.
Significantly Sub-average Intellectual Functioning. An intelligence test score that is indicated
by a score of approximately 70 or below as determined from the findings of assessment using
valid and comprehensive, individual measures of intelligence that are administered in
standardized formats and interpreted by qualified practitioners.
Smith-Magenis Syndrome. Consistent with the definition of the National Institute of Health, a
neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a well-defined pattern of anomalies typically due
to a common deletion in chromosome 17 found by genetic testing; for purposes of 115 CMR
2.01, the diagnosis of Smith-Magenis Syndrome must be supported by a medical diagnosis and
based upon genetic testing.
Substantial Functional Limitations:
(a) for an individual five years of age or older:
1. functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:
a. self-care;
b. receptive and expressive language;
c. learning;
d. mobility;
e. self-direction; and for individuals 14 years of age or older only;
f. capacity for independent living;
g. economic self-sufficiency; and
2. reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special,
interdisciplinary or generic services, supports or other assistance that is of a lifelong or
extended duration and is individually planned and coordinated; or
(b) for an individual younger than five years old, a substantial developmental delay or
specific congenital or acquired condition with a high probability that the condition will result
in a developmental disability if services are not provided.
Supports. Those resources and strategies that promote the interests and causes of individuals
with or without disabilities; that enable them to access resources, information, and relationships
inherent in integrated work and living environments; and that result in their enhanced
independence, productivity, community integration, and satisfaction.
Vision Statement. A statement of what is important to the individual in his or her life. It
describes the individual's preferences on how he or she wishes to live, work, and spend his or
her leisure time and it identifies interests, relationships, and activities he or she would like to
continue or explore. If the individual is unable to fully express him or herself, the ISP team will
assist in the development of the individual's vision statement. The vision statement expresses
the individual's vision; it does not create any enforceable rights and is not binding on the
department. An individual's vision statement is not subject to appeal under 115 CMR
6.30: Scope and Purpose.
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