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DDS director details RFP for 10 CLAs, new medical unit and staffing concerns
Summary
Shannon, director for DDS West Region, told the council the agency will issue an RFP for 10 community living arrangements (nine for behavioral challenges, one for tracheotomy care), described a newly opened Lower Fairfield Center medical unit with 12 beds (two respite), and warned of statewide staffing shortages and ongoing fiscal‑intermediary (GTI) issues.
Shannon, identified as director during the meeting, updated the council on operational changes for the West Region and statewide service delivery.
Shannon said central office will begin sending a weekly document listing all bills that DDS is tracking and will distribute links so council members can follow items of interest. She confirmed public programs are returning to the regional structure; for the West Region that means the Lower Fairfield Center (Norwalk) and Unit 1 (Torrington) will come under regional management and the West Region will now oversee some public group homes, including one public group home in Watertown.
Shannon described the Lower Fairfield Center's recently opened medical unit, which currently has four residents and a 12‑bed capacity that includes two short‑term respite beds. The unit includes nursing and therapy supports; Shannon said the region hopes to hire respiratory therapists but has faced recruitment challenges because state wages lag those in private hospitals.
On procurement, Shannon said the agency has approval to release an RFP for 10 CLAs: nine intended to support individuals with challenging behaviors and one centrally located home to serve people needing tracheotomy care and deep suction. The RFP is expected to post within about two weeks; Shannon said agencies may bid on subsets of homes (for example, three homes) rather than a single contractor being required to take all locations.
Council members and staff discussed provider capacity and staffing shortages across direct support, nursing and supervisory roles; Shannon noted a slowdown in filling positions and said the agency has prioritized seasonal and direct‑care roles in hiring. The group also discussed ongoing issues with GTI, the fiscal intermediary used for payroll and payment functions; members described early rollout problems and variable user experiences, and the agency indicated case‑by‑case follow up with GTI and email‑based dispute resolution is the current approach.
Shannon closed by saying the region is coordinating the procurement and will share more details with providers and council members as the RFP is posted.
