DADS released two information letters and three provider letters.
HSC:
DADS informed these providers about changes to the critical incident reporting requirements. (Letter)
DADS also informed these providers that effective October 1, 2013, DADS will allow a service provider of residential support and the service provider’s spouse, or person with whom the service provider has a spousal relationship, to live in a four-person residence. (Letter)
NF:
A recent legislative bill authorized DADS to adjust NF license fees. The new license fees will align with the three-year licensure period authorized by SB 7, 82nd Texas Legislature, First Called Session, 2011. (Letter)
A recent amendment authorized DADS to provide for a three-year certification period for NFs that seek voluntary certification for the care of people who have Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. (Letter)
ALF:
A recent bill allowed DADS implement a pilot program that uses accrediting organizations to fulfill the requirements of health and Life Safety Code (LSC) inspections for ALFs. An excerpt:
In response to this direction, DADS is examining the feasibility of initiating a pilot that will allow interested accrediting organizations to conduct health and LSC inspection activities for licensure in lieu of a DADS licensure survey and inspection. In accordance with the legislation, DADS will review the standards and inspection protocols of any interested accrediting organization to ensure that the organization’s standards meet or exceed the minimum licensing standards. DADS will work with those organizations that have standards and inspection protocols to initiate a pilot program.
