Forms and handbooks

Advance directives

Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to convey your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They provide a way for you to communicate your wishes to family, friends and health care professionals, and to avoid confusion later on.

Consent to Medical Treatment — This form is for a person who has not issued a directive and needs medical care. Does not include withholding or withdrawing life sustaining treatment. PDF in English | PDF in Spanish
Declaration for Mental Health Treatment —This document allows you to make decisions in advance about mental health treatment and specifically three types of mental health treatment: psychoactive medication, convulsive therapy, and emergency mental health treatment. The instructions that you include in this declaration will be followed only if a court believes that you are incapacitated to make treatment decisions. Otherwise, you will be considered able to give or withhold consent for the treatments.PDF in English | PDF in Spanish
Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates Form — This form is designed to help you communicate your wishes about medical treatment at some time in the future when you are unable to make your wishes known because of illness or injury. PDF in English | PDF in Spanish
Medical Power of Attorney Form — Except to the extent you state otherwise, this document gives the person you name as your agent the authority to make any and all health care decisions for you in accordance with your wishes, including your religious and moral beliefs, when you are no longer capable of making them yourself. PDF in English | PDF in Spanish
Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Information & Form — This form instructs emergency medical personnel and other health care professionals to forgo resuscitation attempts and to permit the patient to have a natural death with peace and dignity. This order does NOT affect the provision of other emergency care including comfort care. PDF in English
Procedure When Person Has Not Executed or Issued a Directive and Is Incompetent or Incapable of Communication — This form is used if an adult qualified patient has not executed or issued a directive and is incompetent, or otherwise mentally or physically incapable of communication. In that case, the attending physician and the resident's legal guardian or an agent under a medical power of attorney may make a treatment decision that may include a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment from the resident. PDF in English | PDF in Spanish

top of page

DADS forms

DADS forms site — contains a comprehensive list of agency forms that can be searched by title or number.
Order printed forms — DADS service providers may order any of the forms listed in this document free of charge. This order form is in MS Word and must be e-mailed to DADS for processing.

top of page

If you want to subscribe to be notified when DADS issues handbook updates, click here. DADS contracts with a company called GovDelivery, Inc., to provide e-mail updates. When you sign up for e-mail updates, you are giving your information to both DADS and to GovDelivery. When DADS has your information, it is subject to the DADS privacy policy. When GovDelivery has your information, it is subject to their privacy policy. Read the GovDelivery privacy policy.

DADS handbooks

Handbooks include all related forms.

The Adult Day Care and Day Activity and Health Services Requirements Handbook contains rules for adult day care facilities and rules for those adult day care facilities contracting to provide day activity and health services (DAHS).
The Assisted Living Handbook contains forms that facilities use to coordinate services. Only forms are included in the handbook at this time.
The Case Manager Community Based Alternatives Handbook includes rules, policies, and procedures for DADS case managers to administer the Community Based Alternatives (CBA) program. The handbook is used in conjunction with the CBA Provider Manual, which provides rules and procedures for contracted provider agencies to administer the program.
The Case Manager Community Care for Aged and Disabled Handbook contains eligibility criteria, policy, and procedures for agency programs. DADS provides an array of services and community supports that enable aged and disabled individuals to avoid institutionalization.
The Case Manager In-Home and Family Support Program Handbook provides program information for persons with physical disabilities and their families. It contains policies and guidelines for applying for direct grant benefits and services that enable disabled persons to live independently in the community.
The Community Based Alternatives (CBA) Provider Manual includes rules and procedures for administering the CBA program. All providers of CBA services must follow these rules and procedures in order to comply with the terms of the DADS contract.
The Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Provider Manual contains rules and procedures for administering the CLASS Program. It is incorporated by reference as a part of the CLASS contract.
The Consolidated Waiver Program (CWP) Provider Manual includes procedures for administering the program. CWP service providers must follow these procedures in order to comply with the terms of the DADS contract.
The Consumer Directed Services Handbook includes rules and procedures for consumers, employers, Consumer Directed Service Agency (CDSA) staff, case managers, DADS contract managers, staff and other interested parties.
The Contracting to Provide Assisted Living and Residential Care Services Handbook contains rules for administering the Residential Care Program. It is incorporated by reference as a part of the program contract.
The Contracting to Provide Home-Delivered Meals Handbook contains rules for provider agencies contracting to provide Community Care for the Aged and Disabled (CCAD) Home-Delivered Meals (HDM).
The Contracting to Provide Primary Home Care Services Handbook contains rules for provider agencies contracting to provide Community Care for the Aged and Disabled (CCAD) Primary Home Care services.
The Contracting to Provide Special Services to Persons with Disabilities Handbook contains rules for adult day care facilities and other provider agencies contracting to provide special services to persons with disabilities (SSPD) and SSPD 24-hour shared attendant care.
The Criminal Convictions Barring Facility Licensure Handbook contains rules that govern criminal convictions that may bar licensure for nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, adult day care facilities, intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICFs/MR), and home and community support services agencies (HCSSAs).
The Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) Provider Manual contains rules and procedures for administering the DAHS Program. It is incorporated by reference as a part of the DAHS contract.
The Deaf-Blind Multiple Disabilities Medicaid Waiver Handbook is a guide for provider agencies contracting with DADS to serve individuals who are deaf-blind with multiple disabilities. The handbook includes policy, forms, resources, and links to related Internet sites.
The Electronic and Information Resources Accessibility Policy Handbook is intended to ensure accessibility for both state employees and members of the public.
The Electronic and Information Resources Accessibility Procedures Manual provides guidance for agency staff members, contractors and others involved in the creation, maintenance or procurement of electronic and information resources.
The Emergency Response Services (ERS) Provider Manual contains rules and procedures for administering the ERS Program. It is incorporated by reference as a part of the ERS contract.
The Employee Misconduct Registry Handbook contains rules relating to findings of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents and misappropriation of residents' property by unlicensed direct care employees in DADS-regulated long term care facilities.
The Guardianship Provider Handbook contains procedures relating to referrals, billing and payment, and contract monitoring for guardianship providers.
The Guardianship Services Handbook includes policies and procedures relating to the provision of guardianship services.
The Home and Community-based Services (HCS) Handbook includes eligibility criteria for applicants seeking enrollment in the HCS program; the process for enrolling applicants; the process for certifying and sanctioning program providers; and requirements for reimbursing program providers.
The Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities Handbook contains minimum standards a facility must meet in order to be licensed as an assisted living facility. The standards serve as a basis for licensure survey activities.
The Licensing Standards for Certification of Long Term Care Facilities Handbook establishes procedures that DADS uses in certifying or terminating certification, or taking action relating to long term care facilities participating in Medicare and the Medical Assistance Program in Texas under Titles XVIII and XIX of the U.S. Social Security Act.
The Licensing Standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies Handbook outlines the minimum standards that a person must meet in order to be licensed as a home and community support services agency.
The Licensing Standards for Intermediate Care Facilities Serving Persons with Mental Retardation or a Related Condition Handbook outlines the development, establishment, and enforcement of service standards for individuals residing in intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation or a related condition.
The Licensing Standards for Medication Aides Handbook contains rules for administering medications to residents in long term care facilities.
The Medicaid Hospice Provider Manual contains policy that providers must follow when administering the program and meeting the needs of hospice recipients.
The Medicaid Hospice Program Standards Handbook contains rules providers must follow when administrating the program and meeting the needs of hospice recipients.
The Medicaid Provider Manual for Long-Term Care Facilities provides basic information to nursing facilities certified to provide services to Medicaid recipients.
The Mental Retardation Authority (MRA) Handbook includes forms and publications for use by MRA staff.
The Nursing Facility Administrators Handbook contains licensure rules for administrators of nursing care facilities.
The Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification Handbook specifies federal and state requirements governing licensed nursing facilities and the Medicaid Nursing Facilities program, administered by DADS in cooperation with other federal and state agencies.
The Person-Directed Planning for State Schools Handbook contains forms, instructions and appendixes applicable to the person-directed process used in state schools in Texas.
The Texas Home Living Program Handbook contains rules for the program, which provides essential services and supports so that Texans with mental retardation can continue to live with their families or in their own homes in the community.
The Texas Home Living Program Service Definitions and Billing Guidelines contain billing procedures for various services, including dental treatment, adaptive aids and minor home modifications.
The Texas Standards for Nurse Aide Registry and Training Handbook contains information relating to the training and competency evaluation of nurse aides employed in skilled nursing facilities (Medicare) or nursing facilities (Medicaid) and the registry of nurse aides.
The Transition Assistance Services Orientation Handbook outlines the delivery of transition assistance services.

top of page

HHSC handbooks

The Fair and Fraud Hearings Handbook includes procedures for handling client and contract appeals, detecting and handling potential fraud cases, and protecting the civil rights of clients.
The Family Violence Program Nonresidential Center Provider Manual is a technical resource for nonresidential center contractors. It includes rules, notes, resources, and management recommendations to support the program philosophy that victims of family violence are in charge of their own lives, that the advocate's role is to help victims of family violence tap their own strengths and abilities, and that victims of family violence have the ability and the right to choose which services they want to access.
The Family Violence Program Shelter Center Provider Manual is a technical resource for shelter center contractors. It includes rules, notes, resources, and management recommendations to support the program philosophy that victims of family violence are in charge of their own lives, that the advocate's role is to help victims of family violence tap their own strengths and abilities, and that victims of family violence have the ability and the right to choose which shelter center services they want to access.
The Family Violence Program Special Nonresidential Project Provider Manual is a technical resource for special project contractors. It includes rules, notes, resources, and management recommendations to support the program philosophy that victims of family violence are in charge of their own lives, that the advocate's role is to help victims of family violence tap their own strengths and abilities, and that victims of family violence have the ability and the right to choose which services they want to access.
The Medicaid Eligibility for the Elderly and People with Disabilities Handbook contains policy and procedures for Medicaid programs serving people who are elderly and people with disabilities.
The Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) Provider Manual guides contractors in administering and delivering services funded under the public/private RCA program.
The Refugee Social Services (RSS) Provider Manual guides contractors in administering and delivering services funded under the RSS program.
The Security and Accountability Handbook contains procedures for safeguarding program benefits from fraud, abuse, and misuse.
The Texas Works Handbook contains policies and procedures used to determine eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); and Medical Programs for Families and Children.

top of page

Updated: September 2, 2009