Dear Portal User,
Starting
May 1st, 2024, South Carolina DDSN Portal,
https://scddsn.alliantaso.org will move to
https://scqio.allianthealth.org. This change will be transparent to all users. If you go to the former alliantaso.org portal, you'll get automatically redirected to the new allianthealth.org portal. Please update your bookmark to use this new Url if you've saved it as a shortcut.
Effective
April 1, 2024, Alliant Health Solutions has begun secure multi-factor authentication (MFA) login process for Quality Assurance for SC Department of Disabilities & Special Needs Web Portal.
In preparation for this transition, Alliant Health has created a portal account for submitting, viewing, and updating QA and Licensing review requests for your associated provider ID(s) on March 11, 2024.
You may have received a welcome email with "Activate OKTA Account" link embeded for you to complete the registration, which will allow you to login using MFA (SMS or Email) to this portal.
For any additional support, please contact
SC Portal Support team.
If you're a provider admin, use
Provider Administrator's Guide for user management activities for MedGuard portal within your organization.
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities & Special Needs employs a Quality Management system that includes the cycle of design, discovery, remediation and improvement. SC DDSN contracts with a Quality Improvement Organization, Alliant ASO, to conduct assessments of Targeted Case Management (known as Service Coordination) and service providers by making on-site visits as a part of its quality assurance process. During these visits, records are reviewed, consumers and staff are interviewed, and observations made to ensure that services are being implemented as planned and based on the consumer's need, that the consumer/family still wants and needs them, and that they comply with contract and/or funding requirements and best practices. In addition, the provider's administrative capabilities are reviewed to ensure compliance with DDSN standards, contracts, policies, and procedures. Any deficiencies found with the provider's compliance will require a written Plan of Correction that addresses the deficiency both individually and systemically. A follow-up review will be conducted approximately 6 months after the original review to ensure successful remediation and implementation of the plan of correction. Failure to comply with certain performance requirements and failure to correct noted deficiencies may result in the imposition of sanctions by DDSN.
Alliant will utilize Key Indicators to evaluate the administrative capability of each provider reviewed and general agency indicators for each service provided to consumers. These indicators are grouped by type (administrative, general agency, early intervention). Each type is further grouped by a domain (e.g. service coordination, ID//RD Waiver, support plan, residential). A valid and random sampling methodology will be used for all providers. For each case reviewed, Alliant will review the consumer's primary record/file as well as those records/files pertaining to ancillary supports/services as provided by DDSN. Each case review must include an evaluation of the most current assessment data used in developing the consumer's current plan(s). The review must also include an evaluation of the consumer's “Plan” or “Individual Family Services Plan” (IFSP)/Family Service Plan (FSP) as well as an evaluation of progress notes and file documentation pertinent to the quality of services delivered. Alliant will also observe and evaluate the implementation of Residential Habilitation and Day Services.
All newly qualified providers will be reviewed between three to six months of accepting their first consumer. Qualified providers who are beyond their first year will be reviewed at least annually to every 18 months. Follow-up reviews will be conducted approximately 6 months following the regular 12 to 18 month review.
All providers will be required to submit a plan of correction to Alliant for all citations.
For Quality Assurance Reviews, the Plan of Correction will be due within 30 days of receipt of the Report of Findings. The latest completion date for any correction or action will not exceed 90 calendar days following the report of findings. A response will be provided by Alliant within 30 calendar days.
Alliant will conduct a follow-up review to assure that all elements detailed in the provider's plan of correction have been implemented. The follow-up review will include the criteria and timeframes for evaluating the extent to which the provider's plan of correction has been implemented. Follow-up reviews will include records/consumers from the original sample as well as new records. Upon receipt of the report, the Provider will have 30 days to submit a written Plan of Correction. The Plan of Correction should not only address the individual deficiency cited, but should also include a systemic response to ensure correction across the agency. Corrections must be completed within the designated time requirements unless otherwise specified and subsequently approved by Alliant or DDSN.
If the provider does not agree with the content of the report, reconsideration may be requested through a formal appeal. The provider may request reconsideration of the deficiencies by submitting, in writing, the Key Indicator cited, the finding, the nature of their disagreement with the finding, and any documentation to support their position. The provider is allowed one appeal request per survey cycle. The provider would submit the appeal with their Plan of Correction (i.e. within 30 days of receiving the QA report of findings). Requests for appeal should be submitted via the Alliant Reporting Portal with notification to DDSN Quality Management. DDSN Program Staff will review the appeal request and the supporting documentation to make a determination to uphold or remove the citation and notify the provider of the outcome.
If an appeal is submitted, a Plan of Correction is not required to be submitted until a decision regarding the reconsideration is reached. However, any citation not being appealed must be corrected according to the timelines as outlined in this document.
The appeal review will be completed within 30 days of receiving the request. Based on the results of the appeal, if needed, a revised report will be issued. A Plan of Correction for all citations must be submitted to Alliant within 30 days of the appeal decision for QA. Corrections are required to be completed no later than 90 days after receiving the QIO report unless otherwise specified and subsequently approved by DDSN.
S.C. Code Ann. §44-20-710 (Supp. 2011), authorizes DDSN to license or contract for licensure day facilities for adults. Facilities may be licensed as: Residential or Day Camps; Adult Activity Centers; Work Activity Centers; Sheltered Workshops and Unclassified Programs.
S.C. Code Ann. §44-7-260 (Supp. 2011), authorizes DDSN to sponsor, certify, or license community-based housing for adults or contract for these functions. Since 1985 DDSN has maintained a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Social Services (DSS), which grants DDSN authority to license Community Training Homes for children. The MOA is in accordance with provisions of S.C. Code Ann. §44-20-1000 (Supp. 2011). DDSN standards meet Child Foster Care Regulation 27 S.C. Regs. §114-550 (Supp. 2011) for homes licensed as a CTH-I or Child Group Home Regulation 27 S.C. Regs. §114-590 (Supp. 2011) for homes licensed as a CTH-II as approved annually by DSS. Please note, DSS defines a child as a person under the age of 21 years and any movement of these children within DDSN Residential Services must be coordinated through the District Offices and the Quality Management Division.
S.C. Code Ann. §44-7-110 (Supp. 2011), §44-20-10 (Supp. 2011), and §44-21-10 (Supp. 2011), grants DDSN authority to license or contract the licensure function for respite facilities for children and/or adults.
South Carolina Law grants DHEC the authority to license Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCF) for adults and Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with an Intellectual or Related Disability (ICF/ID). CRCF Providers are required to submit a copy of their DHEC CRCF Licensing Inspection Reports and a copy of their license certificate within 15 days of receipt to the DDSN Quality Management Division.
No residential, day or respite facility shall provide services and supports unless the service provider is:
- Qualified by DDSN;
- Compliant with applicable federal, state and local laws;
- Compliant with all applicable DDSN policies, procedures, and standards; and,
- Issued a license or certification by DDSN or DHEC.
Facilities shall only provide the type of service that is identified on the certificate or license, and shall serve no more than the maximum number of people identified on the certificate and/or license.
The original certificate and/or license shall be maintained in the facility at all times. Certificates and/or licenses are non-transferable.
Reviews of facilities may be conducted at any time, without prior notice.
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Residential: Residential Habilitation, as defined by the DDSN Residential Habilitation Standards, is provided in each of the models for residential support listed below:
- Community Training Home-I (CTH-I) including the enhanced CTH-I
- Community Training Home-II (CTH-II)
- Supervised Living Program-II (SLP-II)
DDSN's contracted provider agencies may provide additional residential options, including Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCF) and Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Intellectual or Related Disability (ICF/ID). These facilities are licensed by DHEC.
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Respite:
Services may be provided in the person’s home, other residence selected by the person/family, or a facility licensed/certified by DDSN or its contractor.
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Day:
- Adult Activity Center
- Sheltered Workshop
- Work Activity Center
- Unclassified Program
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IV. Recreational Day or Residential Camps
Licensing/Certification reviews will be conducted as follows:
| SETTING | FREQUENCY |
| Community Training Home-I Serving adults (21 years and older) | A 50% sample of every provider’s homes every year. |
| Community Training Home-I Serving children (20 years and younger) | Annually |
| Community Training Home-II Serving adults (21 years and older) | A 50% sample of every provider’s homes every year. |
| Community Training Home-II Serving children (20 years and younger) | Annually |
| Supervised Living Program-II | A 50% sample of every provider’s homes every year. |
| Respite Facility | Annually |
| Adult Activity Center | Annually |
| Sheltered Workshop | Annually |
| Work Activity Center | Annually |
| Unclassified Program | Annually |
| Recreational Day Camp | Annually |
| Recreational Residential Camp | Annually |
Staff from Alliant will make an on-site review of the physical plant and records, then compare their finding with the requirements as set forth in standards, policies, and procedures. As a result of these activities, a report will be issued to the provider agency. In all cases, a report will be provided within 30 days.
Each report will include the standard, policy, or procedure determined to be deficient, a statement of the specific findings and the classification of the deficiency. Each standard cited as deficient will be classified as one of the following:
- Class 1 Deficiency: The person’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being is in immediate jeopardy. Immediate correction is required.
- Class 2 Deficiency: A failure of organizational safeguards which could put the person’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being in jeopardy. The Plan of Correction from the provider is either required before the end of the survey or within 15 days of receiving the written licensing report. The nature, circumstances, and extent of the deficiency will be evaluated by the surveyor to determine the time frame requirements for the Plan of Correction. Corrections are required to be completed no later than 60 days after receiving the written licensing report unless otherwise specified and subsequently approved by Alliant or DDSN.
- Class 3 Deficiency: All other reportable deficiencies. The Plan of Correction from the provider is required within 15 days of receiving the written licensing report. The nature, circumstances, and extent of the deficiency will be evaluated by the surveyor to determine the time frame requirements for the Plan of Correction. Corrections are required to be completed no later than 60 days after receiving the written licensing report unless otherwise specified and subsequently approved by Alliant or DDSN.
Upon receipt of the report, the Provider will have 15 days to submit a written Plan of Correction The Plan of Correction should not only address the individual deficiency cited, but should also include a systemic response to ensure correction across the agency. Corrections are required to be completed no later than 60 days after receiving the written licensing report unless otherwise specified and subsequently approved by Alliant.
If the provider does not agree with the content of the report, reconsideration may be requested. The provider may request reconsideration of the deficiencies by submitting, in writing, the standard, policy, or procedure cited; the finding related to the standard, policy, or procedure; the nature of their disagreement with the finding; and any documentation to support their position. The provider is allowed one reconsideration request per survey cycle. The provider must submit the request of citation reconsideration within 15 days of receiving the licensing report. Requests for reconsideration should be submitted via the Alliant Reporting Portal.
If reconsideration is requested, a Plan of Correction is not required to be submitted until a decision regarding the reconsideration is reached. However, any deficiency not being reconsidered must be corrected according to the timelines as outlined in this document.
The reconsideration will be completed within 30 days of receiving the request. Based on the results of the reconsideration, if needed, a revised report will be issued. A Plan of Correction for all deficiencies must be submitted to Alliant within 15 days of the reconsideration decision. Corrections are required to be completed no later than 60 days after receiving the written licensing report unless otherwise specified and subsequently approved by Alliant or DDSN.
All deficiencies cited in a licensing report will require a follow-up review. A provider may have two follow-up reviews for annual surveys. All timeframes identified above apply to these follow-up surveys. All citations identified on the reports will be individually reviewed to determine the type of follow up needed (i.e., documentation request or onsite review). All Class I citations will be resolved onsite at the time of the review. Each Class II or Class III citation will be reviewed individually to determine the most appropriate method for follow-up. Some follow-up activities may be completed through an off-site documentation review.
A written Plan of Correction will be submitted by the provider in response to the follow-up review.
DDSN collects, analyzes and reports information on how well service providers are performing on various other quality indicators which give an indication of the health and safety of each person, dignity and respect, personal choice, participation in the community and attainment of goals. Some of the ways this information is gathered include: comprehensive provider self-assessments, service coordinator oversight, peer reviews, consumer/ family monitoring, local human rights committee work, staff turnover, circle of support contacts, and the quality of facilitated plans.
- For more information regarding the DDSN Quality Framework, please click here.
- For information on The Council's Personal Outcome Measures, please click here.
- For information regarding DDSN's Incident Management Reporting Process, please click here.
- For information on Reporting Procedures for Allegations of Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation, please click here.
- For APCC Reporting Information, please click here.