The Operations Division is responsible for carrying out the program’s administrative and eligibility functions.  The division is responsible for intake and eligibility, the Medicaid waiver, service authorization and service planning.  The division will support the Deputy Director in the development of operational policies and procedure, preparation of the home and community based waiver application, amendments and the submission of the HCBW quality review reports.

• INTAKE AND ELIGIBILITY SECTION
  Program Manager, Robin Exton

The purpose of the Intake Branch is to coordinate, the preparation, and implementation of individuals application for services as part of the DDS service delivery system and to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to determine eligibility once the application is received. This Division is responsible for establishing the protocols and standards by which screening and processing of all applications/requests for services and supports and the determination of eligibility is determined and to ensure that eligibility is determined consistent with agency policies and procedures as well as all federal and district laws.

• RESOURCE PLANNING & ALLOCATION SECTION
  Resource Planning Manager, VACANT

This Section manages the primary service planning and development and resource allocation and coordination functions for the DDA.  This will include ensuring an adequate provider network in the District and surrounding jurisdictions as appropriate through analysis of sufficient access to providers by DDA consumers, recruitment of providers in necessary service areas, and provision of training and technical assistance to providers during the application and start up phases of operation.  In resource allocation and coordination, this section is responsible to ensure all services are aligned with the appropriate funding source, and ensures the coordinated management of existing service resources in the ICF/MR and waiver group home system.

•  MEDICAID WAIVER UNIT
  Supervisor Medicaid Waiver, VACANT

The Medicaid Waiver Unit is responsible for administering, planning, coordinating, developing and implementing a network of services defined by the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disability (MR/DD) Waiver implemented under the Federal Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver program. The MR/DD waiver services provide residents of the District of Columbia receiving services from DDS with an alternative to institutional care.  On a day-to-day basis the Medicaid Waiver Branch reviews and approves initial eligibility for waiver enrollment; reviews and approves waiver services based on submission of appropriate documentation; processes annual renewal of plan of care and level of care; maintains waiver records; submit prior authorizations to providers, persons receiving services and DOH; and, processes service additions, changes, and cancellations from plans of care. The Unit is also responsible for directing the provider application process in the DDS Home and Community Based Waiver program, and coordinates waiver services with DDS’s contracting unit to ensure that all expenditures covered by the waiver are correctly reflected in client budgets.

• SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND AUTHORIZATION SECTION

The purpose of the Office of Service Development and Authorization is to establish the standards procedures by which DDS will identify the appropriate funding streams for payment of support and/or services identified in the Individual Service Plan (ISP) and established in the Plan of Care (POC) for all individuals served as part of DDS’s service delivery system.  The Office is further responsible for the oversight and management of consumer benefit funds and establishing DDS as the payee for consumer SSI.  The office ensures that all relevant paperwork is processed in a timely manner to establish DDS as the payer of last resort.

This Section is also responsible for assessing the adequacy of the    Provider network, and assisting interested providers in navigating    the administrative processes to become a service provider in the    District.