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External Program Review Committee (EPRC) minutes

Date: Dec. 1, 2022

DSD liaisons: Stacie Enders, Linda Wolford, Antonina Puente

Type: Whole committee

Attendees: Melanie Eidsmoe, Kim Frost, Jodi Greenstein, Dan Baker, Mary Piggott, Laura Daire, Susie Haben and Stacy Danov

Not present: Lindsay Nash, Danielle Bishop and Liz Harri

Agenda items

Public comments

There were no public comments during this meeting.

Vote

The committee voted to approve the November 2022 whole committee meeting minutes:

· Melanie Eidsmoe: yes

· Laura Daire: yes

· Stacy Danov: yes

· Dan Baker: yes

· Kim Frost: yes

· Jodi Greenstein: yes

· Mary Piggott: yes

· Susie Haben: yes

Updates to share

Direct care workforce shortage

· DHS likely will have a signed contract by next week for the PCA training stipend. In addition, the stipends are being increased from $300 to $500.

· The retention bonuses contract will likely be signed later in December.

Discussion

· Review of annual recommendations

· The committee reviewed recommendations from their most recent annual evaluation report:

The committee would like to see Technology for Home or similar services available to more people, particularly all people who need additional support with communicating. While technology devices alone can be very helpful to some people, for others, use of technology requires ongoing training, follow up and a hands-on approach to determine the right type. Creativity, flexibility and trying different things has been helpful to teams.

The head of the occupational therapy team at the U of M is very interested in the use of assistive technology. Linda Wolford explained how it is a big issue in Minnesota and how many people do not have access to assistive technology. They are interested in collaborating with DHS to address this issue.

NDSU works with providers in their area to help design assistive technology.

Linda Wolford will connect with the DHS Disability Services assistive technology lead to see how we can collaborate with both universities.

· The committee would like to see increased access to telehealth and remote supports, as well as training and assistance when needed to address barriers to or knowledge gaps for using these types of supports. It may be helpful to providers to explore creative ways of using telehealth, particularly in relation to staffing shortages. Use of remote supports might lessen the need for in-person staff, and might help retain staff that would like the option to occasionally work from home. People should be given opportunities to try these supports before making a decision. Teams should collect data during that time to see what does and does not work. Some people prefer more independence and engage in fewer interfering behaviors when given opportunities to be independent.

· DHS sent an eList today to lead agencies with tips on how to address remote support and assistive technology liability concerns with providers.

· EPRC members will increase their in-person or remote technical assistance with service providers who are using restraint. When determining which approach to take, members will use the least intrusive and most valuable approach to the entire team.

· EPRC members have enjoyed visiting with people again in-person.

· The committee recommends DHS do what is feasible to build capacity and ensure that qualified professionals are competent to develop and implement positive support transition plans and other relevant support documents.

· The committee recommends that DHS look at existing studies, or conduct a study if needed, on barriers that prevent the development and successful implementation of effective positive behavior supports as they relate to positive support plans.

· The training resource that was developed in early 2022 was added to the Community-Based Services Manual.

· DHS continues to work with the Institute on Community Integration to conduct listening sessions to get feedback on the PSR 100 test. They also have a survey that will be sent out in January.

Other

Do providers need to have a signed consent before using EUMR? Not exactly, but service users do sign off on receiving notice of an EUMR policy for each licensed company. Providers should determine if use of restraint would be contraindicated for a person. Stacie Enders will send the licensing form about EUMR to Susie Haben.

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