Information on the new requirement for all providers to complete IHSS Provider Orientation. All prospective providers need to do the orientation (and other things) effective 11/1/09. Existing providers have until 6/30/09. The orientation “includes but is not limited to”: Orientation in consultation with the counties and include, but not be limited to, the following: 1) The requirements to be an IHSS provider; 2) A description of the IHSS program; 3) The rules, regulations, and provider-related processes and procedures, including timesheets; 4) The consequences of committing; and 5) The toll-free fraud hotline and internet web site for reporting suspected fraud or abuse. Counties already got a CD on the orientation with viewing instructions and handouts.
New providers must attend the Orientation Training on-site at the county or Public Authority and receive the handouts. Current providers may attend the on-site training or receive a copy of the CD-Rom for viewing at home or if they cannot view the CD at home, a copy of the Provider Guide when available.
Once the final ACL is released listing all of the crimes that bar IHSS providers, the list of criminal offenses will be added to the Provider Orientation hand outs. Counties are required to use the materials developed by CDSS, but may supplement the Orientation with county-specific information and/or directions. Following receipt of the Provider Orientation materials, counties must obtain a signed agreement from each provider stating that they understand and agree to the rules and requirements, and keep the signed form indefinitely. Counties must document that all providers have received the Orientation.
Provided there are no changes in the information that was reported, once an individual has been enrolled as a provider, it remains valid for a period of one year beyond the time that the individual stops providing services, provided that the county/PA has continued to receive the subsequent notices from the Department of Justice (DOJ). If an enrolled provider stops providing services for a period longer than one year or DOJ was directed to discontinue sending subsequent notices during the one year break in service, the person will be required to complete the Provider Orientation and enrollment forms and go through the standard county review process before he/she can be begin providing services again. [Download]