Pennsylvania adopts SIS: An interview with Priscilla Hill

In just a few months, Pennsylvania will start implementing the Supports Intensity Scale for 23,000 people receiving services from the state through two Medicaid Waivers for people with intellectual disabilities. Around 125 interviewers will assist the state in administering SIS and determining what support and services citizens with intellectual disabilities require in daily lives. Priscilla Hill, Administrative Officer, tells us more in this interview.

AAIDD: What motivated Pennsylvania to choose the Supports Intensity Scale?
Hill: The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) selected the Supports Intensity Scale to fulfill the need for a consistent, standardized assessment that would assess the needs of individuals receiving services from the Office. The ODP selected SIS for a few reasons. The person with the disability and the people who know the individual best are the main sources of information for completion of SIS. Also, SIS was the only nationally-known tool available that assessed the level of supports an individual would need. The other assessments focused on functional skill deficits. The SIS also reflects Pennsylvania’s “Everyday Lives” philosophy for person-centered service delivery, and the information presented in SIS complements ODP’s plan of care format (the Individual Support Plan) and the planning process utilized in ODP’s service delivery. Finally, SIS was supported by ODP’s stakeholders because it was statistically normed and field-tested nationally.

AAIDD: How do you think SIS benefits the state's developmental disability services?
Hill: A standardized assessment for the identification of the needs of Waiver participants will promote consistency and equity in the Pennsylvania developmental programs system.

AAIDD: What would you say to family members wondering how SIS will affect services received from the state?
Hill: ODP has published an informational policy bulletin that provides all stakeholders with general information on the Supports Intensity Scale and its intended use in the Pennsylvania developmental programs system. It is important for family members to understand that SIS will serve as the primary needs assessment for Waiver participants. The SIS results will be used by planning teams to develop individual support plans for Waiver participants. Other assessments may be utilized in the planning process, as a supplement to SIS results, based on the unique needs of the participant. The participant, and those that know him or her best, contribute to SIS results, and are also involved in the planning team.

AAIDD: What is the timeline for the implementation of SIS in Pennsylvania?
Hill: Pennsylvania had originally anticipated the implementation of a statewide roll-out strategy beginning in September 2007. However, the contracting process has taken longer than expected, which has prompted a change to the original roll-out strategy. Pending implementation of the roll-out strategy, ODP will complete a limited number of assessments. The goal is to complete initial assessments on all current Waiver participants within the next five years and initiate a reassessment process that is responsive to changing needs without overburdening people and resources.

AAIDD: How will SIS be tied into person-centered planning systems in your state?
Hill: ODP has adopted a tool that crosswalks SIS results with the standard plan of care format, known as the Individual Support Plan. This tool references plan sections such as “Important For” and “Important To” as well as “Individual Preferences: Know and Do, and Desired Activities” section. The notes taken by the interviewers during the assessment meeting, as well as the results of the assessment itself, are to be utilized by the Supports Coordinator as they support the planning team during discussion and plan development. It is recommended that the Support Coordinator be present for the assessment meeting as an observer to capture the information provided in the discussion. The information gained will be truly reflective of the person, and when utilized in the development of the services and supports will provide for individualized service delivery.

AAIDD: How has working with AAIDD been?
Hill: AAIDD has been responsive to the Pennsylvania questions regarding SIS and has been supportive of our needs in the implementation of this process.

Priscilla Hill can be contacted at phill@state.pa.us.