We promote opportunities and provide support for persons with disabilities to lead self-determined lives. We oversee home and community-based services for more than 4,000 people who have disabilities. Support includes community living, day services, supported employment services, and support for people with disabilities and their families.
We also provide services to about 250 people at the Utah State Developmental Center (USDC), a state operated Intermediate Care Facility for people with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR).
Recent News
DSPD Budget Cuts:
None of us were expecting the last minute budget cuts. They have thrown our system for a loop, to say the least and I know this is a difficult time.
Change is never easy and we are compelled to make a lot of changes. But a lot of positive things can come out of difficult circumstances. I am confident we will recover. DSPD will continue to serve with high standards, making a difference every day.
I hope people will carefully read this document and understand the principled approach that we took in developing the cuts. This document is the final version of the budget cut implementation strategy.
Final Budget Cut Implementation Strategy - PDF version
Alan Orsmby
DSPD Division Director
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NEW: Provider Roundtable on Video. The lead speaker of the Roundtable series was Dr. Amy Hewitt from the Institute on Community Integration of the University of Minnesota accompanied by her colleague, John Sauer, also from ICI. The Roundtables provided an opportunity for our community of providers to gather together and discuss innovative ways of addressing the critical shortages of direct service professionals here in Utah that are affecting our service system's capacity to provide critical services to Utahns with disabilities and the aged, and their families. Dr. Hewitt and Mr. Sauer provided expert guidance and assistance throughout the roundtables. You can see this informative and timely video at the following link:
http://multimedia.its.utah.gov/dhs/provider/index.html
NEW: April 2008, DSPD announces the implementation of the new Person-Centered Support Plan (PCSP) process. This new process combines the Individual Service Plan, Person-Centered Plan, Action Plan, and Individual Budget into one integrated document. The PCSP incorporates many of the existing components with an increased emphasis on personal goals and direct links to assessments. For additional information on the PCSP process and links to training material click here. Person Centered Support Plan
NEW INFORMATION ON AUTISM
Individuals and Community Groups may be interested in borrowing a copy of the following DVD:
“First Look - Autism Awareness” - 17 minutes running time
Produced by the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, Pennsylvania Department of Education and Bureau of Autism Services, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
To borrow a copy, please contact Helene Lonick at 801-538-4200.
HOUSING ALLOWANCE PROGRAM 2009
HAP Instruction Memo
Housing Allowance Program Guidelines 2009
Financial Directive #2.3
Financial Directive #2.4
HAP Application
NEW: Self-Administered Services, Support Coordinators Conference 2008, Power Point Presentation by Chuck Bruder Ph.D., UCSW Program Administrator, Division SAS Manager
NEW: Division Calendar of Training Opportunities
NEW: Parking Pass for Training
NOTE: Please note that some earlier versions of the Self-Administered Services Support Book had incorrect pages 12 and 13. The corrected pages 12 and 13 can be found at the following link. Corrected pages 12 and 13 of Support Book
RECENT: May 2007, Utah's enhancements and applications of the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) were presented at the national conference of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). For information about the conference presentation, additional information on the SIS, and links click here.
Support Intensity Scale
RECENT: For the current version of the Emergency Planning Documents, email Steve Wrigley at SWRIGLEY@utah.gov
PUBLIC NOTICE: August 3, 2005 All Services Available to Everyone. For information regarding enrollment, eligibility or accessing medical or psychiatric services offered under the Utah Medicaid State Plan, please refer to www.health.utah.gov/medicaid or, you may call the Utah Department of Health at (801) 538-6101
Eligible for DD/MR Waiver
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please be aware of the reporting requirements concerning the abuse of a vulnerable adult or abuse of a child in Utah law:
Vulnerable Adults Abuse
Utah Code 76-5-111.1. Reporting requirements -- Investigation -- Immunity -- Violation -- Penalty -- Physician-patient privilege -- Nonmedical healing.
(1) As provided in Section 62A-3-305, any person who has reason to believe that any vulnerable adult has been the subject of abuse, neglect, or exploitation shall immediately notify the nearest peace officer, law enforcement agency, or Adult Protective Services intake within the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services.
To make a Referral to Adult Protective Services call 801-264-7669 (Salt Lake County) or 1-800-371-7897 (Statewide).
Utah Code 62A-4a-403. Reporting requirements.
(1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), when any person including persons licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or Title 58, Chapter 31b, Nurse Practice Act, has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to incest, molestation, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, or who observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, he shall immediately notify the nearest peace officer, law enforcement agency, or office of the division. On receipt of this notice, the peace officer or law enforcement agency shall immediately notify the nearest office of the division. If an initial report of child abuse or neglect is made to the division, the division shall immediately notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency. The division shall, in addition to its own investigation, comply with and lend support to investigations by law enforcement undertaken pursuant to a report made under this section.
To report child abuse call 1-800-678-9399 within the State of Utah or, in the Salt Lake Area, 801-281-5151.
