January–February 2026 Edition
Please look for our next edition in April!

Learning Corner

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

Electronic Visit Verification Requirements for Compliance 

On July 1, 2020, Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) implemented Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) in accordance with the federal 21st Century Cures Act, which was signed into law in December 2016. During implementation, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) allowed a live-in caregiver exemption to EVV. 

Beginning October 1, 2025, all providers of Habilitation Training Specialists (HTS) (including Self-Directed live-in caregivers) were expected to use Electronic Visit Verification. 

Manual entries by the Employer of Record (EOR) on behalf of the HTS into the Direct Care Innovations (DCI) portal are not EVV compliant. Compliant entries must be made by the employee via the DCI app or a landline telephone. 

Acknowledging that occasional errors and noncompliant entries are inevitable, OHCA established a 90% compliance benchmark. The SDS team receives routine compliance reports, and analysis of the past three months of data revealed the following: 

As of January 1, 2026, 57% of the individuals required to use EVV are achieving the 90% mandate. We still have work to do! If you are struggling with using EVV, please reach out to Acumen. 

Acumen is available to provide training on the DCI EVV system. Please use the training on the Acumen website. You can also call Acumen at 877-364-2835 or email ​AcumenOK@acumen2.net.

Electronic Vendor Payment Forms

• It has come to light that some EORs are using old vendor payment request forms. You may have saved these forms on your computer to copy and reuse instead of redownloading the form from the Acumen website. However, the Vendor Payment Request Form has been updated with additional important information. We request you do not use old forms; they will be rejected, and this will cause a delay in payment.
• To find the latest Vendor Payment Request Form, go to Acumen’s website. ​https://www.acumenfiscalagent.com​ > Programs by State > Oklahoma > DDS in Home Support Waiver for Adults and Children > Participant Employer forms > Vendor Payment Request Form
• You can also find the “Show Me the Money” sheets and other important forms there!
• EORs should email their electronic Vendor Payment Request forms to ​vendor-ok@acumen2.net

For questions regarding these training opportunities, please email Acumen at AcumenOK@acumen2.net​ or call 877-364-2835.

Important note regarding the DSP+ Incentive Program

If you participated in the DSP+ Incentive Program, you should receive a Form 1099 reporting the income you received from Solix. Please consult your tax professional for instructions on how this should be reported on your tax return. 

SDS Spotlight

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

New EOR webinar series in 2026

On Wednesday, January 28, the SDS team and PossABLE successfully launched a new virtual training series for Employers of Record (EORs) across Oklahoma! 

This initial webinar was developed to provide EORs with guidance and support related to budgeting for Self-Directed staff and Goods and Services. This was the first release in a series of 2026 trainings designed to strengthen service delivery for individuals enrolled in Self-Direction and offer targeted, skill-based knowledge for the Employer of Record.

We had a great turnout!

• 28 attendees
• 9 questions submitted ahead of time to be answered during the live webinar
• 3 great resources you can still take advantage of: 
• View a preview of the webinar here: ​EOR Webinar Preview.mp4
• Access the full training here: ​Budgeting for Self-Directed Services on Vimeo​
• Review all the learning materials and find the questions and answers from the webinar here: ​EOR Resources

Be on the lookout for your invitation to participate in the next virtual training for Employers of Record, which will be offered this spring!

Stay Up-to-Date

Be the first to hear about upcoming events and opportunities.

Self-Directed Services Family Meeting coming soon!

Wednesday, March 4 | 10 AM – 2 PM | Oklahoma City

Self-Directed Services will host its next Family Meeting this March in Oklahoma City, and we’ll connect again in Tulsa later this year! These events are an exciting opportunity for families, Developmental Disabilities Services staff, your fiscal agent, Acumen, and SDS vendors to connect and collaborate. 

You should have received an email inviting you to register for this event. You can also register through the link below.

Join us for a day of learning and camaraderie and leave with more knowledge, helpful tips, and a sense of community!

What can you expect from this event?

• In-Person Assistance: Knowledgeable DDS and Acumen staff will be available to answer questions and offer support. 
• Interactive Stations with Specialized Information: Explore various stations covering every step of the SDS process and learn how to get the most out of the services. 
• Vendor Room: Connect with community vendors who provide essential services to SDS recipients. 
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with established families and new families, all using the Self-Directed option! 
• Free Lunch with Live Entertainment: Enjoy a complimentary lunch during the event. 
• Stipend: First-time registrants who stay the full day will receive a $100 Visa® Gift Card to help offset the cost of attending. 

Who should attend? 

• Regardless of where you are in your SDS journey, you’ll find relevant information and support. 
• If you are a current recipient of SDS or an Employer of Record, this event is tailored for you!
• If you are not enrolled in SDS yet, but want to learn more about your options, this event is also for you! 
• Registrants can bring up to two guests—including the recipient, additional caregivers, Habilitation Training Specialist (HTS) staff, or anyone else who supports your recipient while using SDS. 

Building Together

Here you will find helpful information to streamline the EOR process.

Important policy for family members who serve as HTS 

If you or a loved one serve as the direct support staff, or Habilitation Training Specialist (HTS), for a family member on waiver services, we want to emphasize the rules and policy regarding hours worked. Caregivers who live in the same household cannot provide more than 40 hours of HTS services per week in the home. When multiple caregivers live in the same household, the combined total of paid HTS services provided by all household members may not exceed 40 hours per week. When more than 40 hours per week are needed, they must be provided by someone living outside of the home. Please refer to the policy language below. If you have questions, please email your case manager. 

317:30-5-482. Description of Services 

Habilitation services include the services identified in (1) through (15) of this Section. Habilitation services providers must have an applicable agreement with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to provide Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). (8) Habilitation Training Specialist (HTS). (ii) Family members who provide HTS services meet the same standards as providers who are unrelated to the member. HTS staff residing in the same household as the member may not provide services in excess of forty (40) hours per week. Members who require HTS services for more than forty (40) hours per week use staff members who do not reside in the household, and who are employed by the member's chosen provider agency, to deliver the balance of necessary support staff hours.

Do you have more questions about Self-Directed Services?

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