The vast majority of individuals with developmental disabilities are served in community settings. There is a great demand for these services. DHMH's focus is on making sure that each individual is provided the services and programs to meet their unique needs.

There are many aspects to the continuum of quality assurance for community placements:

• The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) completes an unannounced survey to many of the 2,900 community provider sites each year. OHCQ prioritizes the surveys so that those with poor track records and those with serious complaints are visited more frequently. Typically, community providers are surveyed every 2-3 years. All complaints are investigated and serious complaints receive an on-site investigation expeditiously. The number of community providers surveyed is increasing and five additional surveyors have been added to the OHCQ staff in this area in the FY 09 budget, further increasing capacity.
• In addition to the OHCQ oversight, DDA regional staff will make annual visits to each community provider. Also, Service Coordination, Inc. (DDA's contracted Resource Coordination provider for Central Maryland) will be visiting sites on a quarterly basis.
• In placements where a Rosewood resident has transitioned to the community, at a minimum there will be 30, 60, 90 and 180 day visits by Service Coordination, Inc. following the transition to the community provider to assure the transition is going smoothly. This is also an opportunity to address changes to the plan for each individual.
• Providers are required by DDA to have their own internal quality improvement plans.

Links:

• Office of Health Care Quality complaint form: http://dhmh.state.md.us/ohcq/regulated_programs/dd_file_a_complaint.htm