COVID-19 DSP Training

Illinois Department of Human Services

Division of Developmental Disabilities

Information Bulletin

DD.20.005

Purpose:

This Information Bulletin provides guidance for hiring, redeployment and training for the following:

  • New Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) hired during the COVID-19 crisis
  • Redeployment of current staff to DSP roles
  • Sharing of staff between community providers
  • Medication Administration changes.


Overarching:

The Division has made a number of temporary changes to assist agencies in securing employees to work in DSP positions. The changes are allowed only during the COVID 19 crisis period as defined by the Division. After the COVID 19 crisis period, all training requirements, background checks, classes and certifications will revert to the Division's standard rules. Specific guidance on transitioning back to the standard rules will be provided at the end of the crisis period.  All modified DSP training reports must be sent to the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Bureau of Quality Management. Provider agencies must identify the facility and DSPs trained. Training reports must include at a minimum the following:

  • the agency that trained the DSP
  • the name and social security number of the DSP
  • the completion date and the trainer.

This should be sent to DHS.BQM@illinois.gov .

Failure to report the individuals trained through the modified DSP courses will invalidate the DSP training and prohibit the individuals from working as DSPs.

The agency will continue to be required to submit the 120-day waiver for all DSP's hired through the Modified DSP curriculum that haven't completed the entire standard DSP approved curriculum within the first 120 days. These should be sent to Ronald.Cooley@illinois.gov.  Reimbursement for training will be given after completion of the standard DSP curriculum training.


Changes to eligibility for DSPs:

  • CNAs may be hired as DSPs and are able to forgo the DSP training. They must receive any additional trainings required for client's individual needs including any de-escalation and prevention methods must be given based on any behavioral needs that the individuals served have, behavior plans and risk assessments.  After the crisis period, these staff must complete the standard DSP curriculum to continue employment.
  • DSPs can work without First Aid/CPR as long as there is an additional staff member working in the same location at the same time who has a First Aid/CPR card that was valid on January 1st, 2020 or after. Agencies should look into online First Aid/CPR options through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association for those without active cards.
  • Agencies have 30 days from date of hire to complete fingerprints. There is no change to other background check timelines. If you have difficulty getting them completed, please contact DHS.BQM@illinois.gov
  • Staff can be shared between agencies (including out of state agencies). The hiring agency can contact the potential staff member's current agency to confirm the necessary background checks and fingerprints have been completed. This should be documented by interagency emails. Please CC DHS.BQM@illinois.gov . The hiring agency must check the Healthcare Worker Registry to confirm the potential staff member is on it. 


Changes to eligibility for current employees to allow for redeployment:

  • Staff qualified under any service definition (examples below) in any of the Division's three Home and Community Based Waivers or any other IDHS Medicaid waiver programs may be redeployed as a DSP.
    • For example, Personal Support Workers, Job Coaches, Vocational Specialists, Behavior Therapists, Personal Assistants, QIDPs, etc. can all be redeployed to be a DSP in a residential setting.
  • Staff who are redeployed must receive training from the DSP modules to fill any knowledge gaps that might exist between their current role and the DSP role.
  • It is the agency's responsibility to determine what additional training is needed for redeployed staff based on the individual needs of the client, their behavior plan and their risk assessment.
  • Individualized training on de-escalation and prevention methods must be given based on any behavioral needs that the individuals served have.
  • DSPs can work alone if they have a First Aid/CPR Card that was valid on January 1st, 2020 or after.


Changes to DSP Training:

  • A Modified Direct Support Person (DSP) Curriculum can be used during the crisis period to accelerate on-boarding DSPs. The following modules/sections must be completed within 30 days of hire.
    • Module 3 - Abuse and Neglect Prevention, Recognition and Intervention -3 hours
    • Module 6 - Basic Health and Safety - 10 hours-15 hours
      • Section 1 - Introduction to Basic Health & Safety
      • Section 3 - Vital Sign & Symptoms
      • Section 5 - Assisting with Activities of Daily Living
      • Section 6 - Environmental and Individual Safety
  • First Aid/CPR is only required if the DSP will be working alone. Please also explore hybrid online options for this through the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
  • On-The-Job Training is to be completed as they are applicable to the required module/section intervention competencies. This information is listed in the Interventional Competencies Table of Contents on pages 5-6 of the DHS Direct Support Person Training Program.
  • The training modules omitted during the crisis period must be completed once the Division determines the COVID 19 crisis period to be over.
  • Individualized training on de-escalation and prevention methods must be given based on any behavioral needs that the individuals served have.
  • This Modified Direct Support Person Curriculum can be applied to staff who were hired prior to CDS closure who are still in training.


Changes to Agency Controlled PSW Rules:

  • Agencies have 30 days from date of hire to complete fingerprints. There is no change to other background check timelines.
  • PSWs no longer have to wait for the fingerprint results to come back prior to starting work. PSWs will be immediately terminated if there is a positive finding.
  • PSWs are able to start working with individuals prior to completion of the DSP Training as long as families are made aware that the PSW is still in training.


Changes to Medication Administration Training:

  • The basic 8-hour medication administration training class can be given by webinar.
  • The DDD will facilitate the basic 8-hour medication training class via webinar if agencies are not able to facilitate this themselves. If you are in need of this, please contact Anne.Fitz@illinois.gov
  • The formal CPR/First Aid is not required prior to completing the basic 8-hour medication administration training class nor to pass medications.
  • Basic 8-hour medication trainings can be transferable between agencies (including out-of-state agencies). The hiring agency should contact the agency who provided basic medication training to the staff to confirm the staff was trained and passed the Medication Authorization Test. The hiring agency will document this request via email.
  • RN Trainer continues to have the discretion to determine if a staff member does not demonstrate competency to administer medications.
  • For a newly Authorized DSP (ADSPs), if the RN trainer cannot complete the first CBTA in person, the RN Trainer must use a remote video process (FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, etc).
  • CBTA trainings for new clients may be provided over the phone if the ADSP has experience passing medications with other clients. It should be documented on the CBTA that it was done remotely.
  • CBTA completion on inhalers, suppositories, eyedrops and eardrops that cannot be done in person, must be provided by a remote video process (Facetime, Zoom, Skype). It should be documented on the CBTA that it was done remotely. 
  • The deadlines for the annual Nursing Assessments, SAMAs and HRSTs can be extended if they are not able to be completed as prescribed during the COVID 19 crisis period.
  • The RN Trainer can electronically sign documents with a typed signature provided that after the crisis period is over, they go back and sign/date each document.
    • For example, new "medication change forms" can be completed electronically, and the nurse can type their name. After the crisis period, they should print the document and sign and date it on the date that it was printed.
    • This should be done for any other document the RN Trainer is not able to print or sign in person.


Effective Date:

Upon Final Posting