August 2024 Edition

Learning Center

Dive into training and tips to enhance your understanding and skills as an EOR!

What is a Habilitation Training Specialist (HTS)?

A Habilitation Training Specialist (HTS) helps recipients with daily living skills like self-care, cooking, social skills, and more, to live successfully in the community. These services are provided at home and in the community, promoting independence and inclusion. SD-HTS services are provided only during periods when staff is engaged in purposeful activities that directly or indirectly benefits the recipient. 

An HTS can be someone you know and trust, such as a parent, family member, friend, or community member, giving you more choice and control. Important Note: To have a parent or legal guardian as their HTS, the recipient must be 18 years or older.

Requirements to Be an HTS:

• At least 18 years old 
• Pass a background check
• Have a Social Security number (SSN) 
• Be a citizen or legal resident 

HTS Highlights: What You Need to Know

1. Work Hours:

• HTS staff cannot work more than 40 hours a week, as there is no overtime pay.
  
• If more than 40 hours of support is needed, you must have more than one HTS on your plan.
  
• HTS staff cannot work during times when the recipient is sleeping.

2. Family Members as HTS:

• Family members providing HTS services also cannot exceed 40 hours of SD-HTS services in their shared household. See the policy here. 
• If additional hours of service are needed, they must be provided by someone living outside the home.

3. Daily Limits:

• No more than 9 hours of HTS services per day. 
• Combined support of HTS and non-HTS- supported activities (ex: Adult Activity Center, work, or school) cannot exceed 12 hours per day. 
• See the policy here.

4. Justifying Additional HTS Support:

• The amount of HTS support must be justified based on need, not the available funding. 
  
• Additional HTS units can be requested for new skills or health and safety needs. 
  
  • Example: More HTS hours may be needed for the recipient at the end of the school year to account for summer. 

5. Adding Another HTS:

• The EOR must notify the agent and Case Manager (CM) about adding a new HTS and provide their contact details.  
  • Request the CM to add a background check and submit the CPR/First Aid invoice if using the waiver for training. Your Acumen agent will send enrollment paperwork.
• If the pay rate differs, complete a new rate of pay sheet and submit it for authorization. 
  • Once all steps are completed, Acumen will send a “good to go” letter with the start date to the HTS, cc’ing the EOR.

6. Training:

• HTS staff must complete all training on their own time, not while they are working with the recipient.

7. Job Coaching:

• HTS staff cannot provide job coaching duties, including supervision at a job site, filling out job applications, or driving the recipient to look for a job.

New to the Process?

Click here to download a PDF for helpful information on finding and hiring an HTS.  

You can also contact your Case Manager for assistance with any HTS-related questions or concerns.

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SDS Spotlight

Stay informed about the latest developments and changes in Self-Directed Services.

Important CPR/First Aid Training Information for an HTS

Before your HTS can start working with the recipient, they must complete CPR/First Aid training. This training is required and must be done in person. 

Good news! The waiver will cover all CPR training costs. Be sure to submit an invoice to your CM for approval showing the cost and date of the class from your chosen CPR/First Aid provider. 

To find a CPR training provider, simply visit the DDS provider list here and click on “CPR and First Aid” under Self-Directed Services. You’ll see a list of all available CPR vendors that have been approved by SDS. Please note that payments can only be authorized to the organizations that have agreed to be SDS vendors.  

After attending CPR/First Aid training, verification must be provided to the fiscal agent to ensure training is complete and current before they can pay your staff. Typically, the HTS worker will receive their CPR certificate after Acumen pays for the training.

Stay up to Date

Be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

Starting Tuesday, September 3, Acumen’s Tuesday Walk-in Day will be moving to a new location! They will no longer be at the Sequoyah Building in OKC. Instead, you can find them at: 

100 NE 5th Street, 1st Floor, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 

Hours of Operation: 9 AM - 4 PM

This space offers free parking, accessibility, and a reception area for waiting if necessary. 

Acumen looks forward to seeing you at their new spot! 

Community Connect

Let's foster peer connections and build a supportive network by sharing success stories in our community!

A Mother’s Journey as an HTS for Her Son

Meet Sonia, a dedicated mother and Habilitation Training Specialist (HTS) for her 29-year-old son, Juanito. Sonia’s decision to become his HTS stemmed from her deep desire to protect and care for him. 

For the past two years, Sonia has been Juanito’s HTS, a role she embraced due to her trust issues with others caring for her vulnerable son. This decision has strengthened their bond, allowing Sonia to closely monitor Juanito’s health, weight, medications, and treatments. She describes this opportunity as a huge blessing, enabling her to help him with everything he needs. 

Becoming Juanito’s HTS brought significant changes to Sonia’s life. She feels much calmer and more secure now, no longer constantly worrying about balancing work and her son’s needs. Working together has provided a stable routine for Juanito, which is crucial for his learning and development.  

Sonia has noticed remarkable improvements in Juanito since she became his HTS. They have joined a group for mothers and children with disabilities, establishing a routine that includes social activities and learning opportunities. Every Tuesday, they attend Lilyfield’s EmpowerOKC Program, where Juanito socializes and engages in creative activities, while Sonia connects with other moms. They also participate in a Mexican folkloric dance class and enjoy meals with friends. These routines also help Juanito learn the days of the week and expand his thinking. 

Supporting Juanito’s goals on his Plan of Care has been a priority for Sonia. She takes him to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO) for tutoring and life skills training, such as cooking in Kylee’s Kitchen. Sonia believes that the more Juanito learns, the brighter his future will be. 

Sonia advises other parents considering becoming an HTS to document everything and embrace the support system available. She emphasizes that parents are already doing the hard work of caring for and teaching their children; the HTS role simply provides additional help with managing processes and paperwork. 

Sonia’s oldest daughter serves as the Employer of Record (EOR) for Juanito. She has been a reliable support, handling administrative tasks and communicating with Acumen for any necessary information. Their experience with Acumen has been positive, with helpful guidance provided in Spanish during family meetings. 

Sonia’s journey as an HTS for Juanito highlights the profound impact of dedicated care and the importance of a supportive community in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Building Together

You asked, we answered! Here you will find responses to your most commonly asked questions and helpful information to streamline the EOR process. 

Q: My HTS staff has had trouble clocking in and out. What should I do?

A: Contact your Acumen agent for assistance. Your Case Manager will not be able to help with this issue. 

Q: Is transportation provided through SDS?

A: Currently, transportation is not available through SDS. However, some EORs choose to pay their staff a higher rate to cover the cost of gas mileage so they can transport the recipient. Important Note: Transportation is not available to minors through the In-Home Supports Waiver (IHSW).  

For individuals 18 years or older, the HTS staff can apply for their own transportation contract through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) website. The assigned HTS is the only person eligible to obtain this contract and bill for transportation through the waiver. Once approved, the HTS will be listed as a transportation provider under traditional waiver services.  

Staff can apply here. The person applying should select the “New contracts” option under the Enrollment section and they will be prompted to create an account. Once the application has been completed, it can take up to 6 months for the contract to be finalized. Transportation will count toward the budget cap and should be outlined in the Individual Plan (IP).

Q: My HTS staff is trying to enroll to receive the DSP+ incentive payment. What is the next step?

A: The DSP+ incentive program is designed to address the shortage of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and HTS staff who provide essential care to individuals with developmental disabilities. This initiative offers financial incentives to attract and retain DSPs and HTS staff. To enroll for the DSP+ incentive payment, visit this website. If you have any questions, please email DSPplus@okdhs.org. 

Q: I want to give my HTS staff a raise. How do I do that?

A: Rate of pay changes can be requested anytime, but it’s best to do so at the start of a new Plan of Care year. This process is smoother if done with the new plan submission. 

To change an employee’s rate, the EOR must complete a new rate of pay sheet and submit it to the CM and Acumen agent. Your CM will submit the rate of pay request as an addendum to the POC. After DDS approval, Acumen will update their system with the new pay rate and start date. Pay rate changes should be requested at least two weeks prior to the desired start date. However, requesting a change in pay 30 days in advance is ideal. 

Do you have more questions about Self-Directed Services?

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