State program lets parents and other legally responsible individuals be paid as direct support under safeguards

Jennifer Gervigan, Developmental Disability Services Division director for the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, briefed the Legislative Oversight and Accountability Committee on a newly approved protocol that allows legally responsible individuals — including parents and private guardians — to be paid as independent contractors to provide authorized community or in-home supports for enrolled adults under specified conditions.

"The legally responsible individual can be paid for the authorized community supports or in-home support services up to 40 hours a week," Gervigan said, describing the principal limit imposed as a safeguard by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services during the approval process. The protocol ties eligibility for payment to circumstances such as a lack of qualified direct support professionals, prolonged gaps…