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Ombudsperson and council members press for stronger provider accountability
Summary
DDS ombudsperson Shannon Giacovino flagged repeated provider-accountability problems raised by families; council members urged clearer routes for families to get help and asked DDS to coordinate with DSS to explain case management and the autism waiver.
Shannon Giacovino, DDS ombudsperson, told the council that her monthly report contains several recurring concerns about provider accountability and lingering unresolved family complaints. "There are certain people you'll see that there are areas where I talk about ongoing issues," she said, explaining that families frequently come to the ombuds office when they have exhausted other avenues for resolution.
Council members and family representatives agreed accountability and clarity are ongoing concerns. Adriana Ramirez and Michael Belloff urged clearer training for family members who temporarily serve as personal care assistants and recommended minimum training requirements for staff who accept higher-need individuals. Belloff also asked whether DDS could better coordinate with the Department of Social Services (DSS) to help families navigate case management and benefit programs such as the autism waiver.
Deputy Commissioner Alisa Vilardo and Kevin Bronson, DDS, proposed preparing a list of specific questions to send to DSS so that the appropriate DSS representative can appear at a future meeting able to address families' concerns.
The council did not adopt any formal policy changes at the meeting; members requested follow-up materials and signaled interest in inviting DSS to present at a future session.
