Program acceptance

Agencies licensed to provide supervised independent living programming shall define in writing policy and procedures specific to acceptance of a client into the program. The agency shall have written policies that describe the program and services offered, range of client characteristics the agency shall accept, and procedures for placement into a supervised independent living setting. The supervised independent living program policy must indicate the agency shall provide services to a client referred to the program without discrimination. 1. Application. The agency shall have written policy regarding the application required, including prospective client information, placement settings options, and financial agreements with the applicant or referral source. 2. Program acceptance committee. The agency shall have policy detailing employees on the committee, how often the committee meets, and the timeliness the committee has in responding to referrals. Before a prospective client is accepted for supervised independent living programming, the committee shall evaluate the needs of the prospective client using information and procedures described in policy and determine whether the agency can meet the identified needs of the prospective client. 3. Acceptance determination. The program acceptance committee shall complete a written, dated, and signed determination on a prospective client which includes review and identification of the prospective client's primary presenting needs. The committee shall: a. Provide a written statement recommending reasons for or against program acceptance based on the ability of the agency to meet the prospective client's needs. b. Provide the determination and decision within fourteen working days of receipt of the completed application; and c. If denied, ensure a process for assisting the applicant or referral source in obtaining services from other agencies when the supervised independent living program is not appropriate to the applicant's needs. 4. Orientation. Each client shall receive orientation upon acceptance into the supervised independent living program. An agency employee shall: a. Orient the new client and client's placement and care agency worker, if applicable, to the program; b. Help the client adjust to the setting; and c. Provide the client and placement and care agency, if applicable, copies of the supervised independent living setting rules, including rules on visiting, expected behavior and consequences for rule infractions, client rights and grievance and complaint procedures, with explanations of the documents.