SUPPLEMENTAL PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK
FOR MSS PROGRAMS:
DT&H
CARES
AUTISM
EMPLOYMENT
This handbook belongs to:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
SERVICES PROVIDED
PROGRAM HOURS
ADMISSION ACCEPTANCE
ACCOMMODATIONS
PROGRAM STAFF QUALIFICATIONS
CSSPA
BEHAVIORS
DISCIPLINE
MEDICAL INFORMATION
TRANSPORTATION
YOUR RIGHTS
Service-Related Rights
YOUR RIGHTS
Protection-Related Rights
YOUR RIGHTS
Protection-Related Rights (Cont.)
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
VULNERABLE ADULT ACT
SUSPENSION
DISCHARGE
Voluntary Discharge
Involuntary Discharge
Discharge Planning
ATTENDANCE
HOLIDAYS
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Personal Belongings
Meals
Worker Representative Committee
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION (cont.)
Civil Rights
DRESS CODE
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
CONCLUSION
CONTACT INFORMATION
COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE RESOURCES
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Midwest Special Services (MSS). MSS provides services to adults, age 18 or older, who have intellectual disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or are medically fragile.
This supplemental handbook will help you understand your rights and responsibilities as aparticipant at MSS. This handbook should be used in addition to the Midwest Special Services, Inc. DT&H Participant Handbook. Please read both handbooks and keep them at home to use if you have any questions about your program.
SERVICES PROVIDED
You can expect to receive instruction in the following areas:
Creative Arts
Vocational Skills
Adaptive Living Skills
Community Resources/Volunteering
Sensory Integration
Recreational Skills
PROGRAM HOURS
Many participants attend MSS Monday through Friday for about 6 hours per day, unless part-time hours have been agreed upon.
BUSINESS HOURS ARE FROM
7:30AM TO 4:00 PM.
ADMISSION ACCEPTANCE
MSS tries to serve everyone who would like to benefit from our programs. There are a number of criteria that need to be met and the center you choose to attend must have openings.
The capacities of our centers are:
St. Paul: 110Eagan: 80Brooklyn Park: 52
Apple Valley: 60Shoreview: 72Oakdale: 40
You can read the full DT&H Participant Handbook for more information.
Your County Case Manager, guardian, and MSS will help you through this process.
ACCOMMODATIONS
MSS wants each of their facilities to meet your needs and be fully accessible. All of the MSS centers have:
Power assisted entrance doors
Full kitchens
Accessible bathrooms
A place to keep personal items
MSS has a manual no-lift policy and will use mechanical lifts or other safe and comfortable ways if you need help transferring out of your wheelchair.
PROGRAM STAFF QUALIFICATIONS
Each participant will be assigned to a Designated Coordinator (DC). Your DC will help advocate for you, and help you with your goals and daily needs. Your DC is also the main person you should call or talk to if you have questions or concerns about your program.
Every day, you will also work with several Direct Support Professionals (DSP) who are trained to work with you specifically.
MSS also works with a Nurse Consultant to help with your daily medical needs.
ALL MSS staff meets the education and experience requirements required by the State of MN.
CSSPA
Everyone at MSS has a CSSPA (Coordinated Services and Support Plan Addendum). This is a written plan outlining your goals and objectives. A meeting will be held once a year (or more if requested) to review your CSSPA. This meeting should involve you, your County Case Manager, your MSS Designated Coordinator, your legal guardian, and your residential provider. Your goals and objectives will focus on your areas of need and interest and may include things like:
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Employment
Independent Living
Leisure/Recreation
Sensory
Creative Arts
Volunteerism
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If you have any questions or complaints about your services, you should speak with your DC as soon as possible. If you are unableget your questions answered and/or your complaints resolved with your DC, follow the steps outlined in the Grievance Procedure, the Appeal Procedure, or the Data Privacy Statement which are found in this handbook.
BEHAVIORS
MSS provides reasonable accommodations for participant behavior patterns. All MSS staff members are trained to help people with a wide range of behavior challenges.
If you display inappropriate behavior prior to admission or develop behavior challenges while you are at MSS, a plan of intervention may be developed with you and your team to help you learn new ways to manage challenging behaviors.
MSS may also help find resources and referrals to help arrange more support for your behavior needs.
DISCIPLINE
Examples of behaviors which may be a problem are:
*Verbal Abuse
*Physical Abuse
*Stealing others’ property
*Property Destruction
*Repeated refusal to work with staff
*Hurting yourself
*Violating the rights or dignity of others
MEDICAL INFORMATION
All MSS staff members are certified to help you with your medications, but you will need to bring in a prescription from your doctor and a supply of any medication you need to take.
Every year, you will need to give MSS a copy of your physical exam, a list of medications you are taking, and a seizure protocol, if applicable.
There are a few medical procedures MSS will not be able to help you with, so please talk to your DC as soon as possible about all of your medical needs.
TRANSPORTATION
MSS will arrange for your transportation every day. If you know you are going to be absent, please let MSS know as early as possible.
MSS will provide transportation for all outings, mobile work crews, and other program activities. MSS does not provide transportation to medical appointments or non-program related activities or appointments.
YOUR RIGHTS
Service-Related Rights
You have the right to:
Let MSS know what services you need and want, and how we can modify existing services to meet your needs. Your team is available to help you get and keep these services.
Participate fully in developing your service plans (your CSSPA) according to MN law
Refuse or stop receiving services provided to you through MSS and know the consequences
Know before you come to MSS any limitations we have to serve you or services we cannot provide.
Know the MSS admission, suspension, and discharge criteria, and, if applicable, why MSS isn't able to serve you
A well-planned and smooth transfer to another provider if MSSisn't able to continue your services
Know what the cost is for services and if that cost changes.
Know before you come to MSS who is paying for your Services. If you have to pay for some of the services, MSS will work with you and your team on the payment process.
Receive services from staff that are trained to keep you safe and healthy. If you think our staff needs more training or if additional training is in your CSSP, MSS will make sure staff receives that training.
YOUR RIGHTS
Protection-Related Rights
You have the right to:
Have your personal, financial, services, health and medical information kept private. You also have the right to know when MSS is sharing your information, why they are sharing it, and who they are sharing it with.
See your records and recorded information, and have copies made free of charge according to MN state and federal laws.
Be treated nicely by all staff. Staff are never permitted to be abusive (hitting, yelling swearing at you), neglectful (such as not giving you your lunch or medication or not giving you the supervision that you need). Staff are trained in preventing these things from happening and how to report it if it does.
Be free from restraint, time out, or seclusion procedures except for in an emergency to keep you safe from yourself or others. Staff members are trained to help support you in challenging situations and will follow all reporting procedures according to MN law.
Receive services in a clean and safe environment to promote health and well–being of all persons served.
You and your personal property/belongings being treated with respect.
To observe and participate in cultural, ethnic, and/or religious activities. Please let MSS if you need any accommodations in this area.
**Please refer to the DTH Participant Handbook for a more thorough list of your rights**
YOUR RIGHTS
Protection-Related Rights (Cont.)
You have the right to:
To live, work, and be in a place without bias and harassment regarding your race, gender, age, disability, spirituality, and sexual orientation.
Know about MSS’ grievance policy and procedures, how to contact persons responsible for addressing problems, and how to appeal if you are not happy with your services or need to make a formal complaint.
Know the name, phone number, website, email, and street address of the state, county, or advocacy agency to contact for additional information or assistance in filing a complaint or grievance.
Assert your rights or have your family, authorized representative, or legal representative assert your rights for you on your behalf.
Decide whether or not you want to participate in any research or experimental treatment and consult with your support team before making a decision.
Spend time with persons of your choosing and have private visits with them unless your health, safety, or well-being is at risk.
Spend time alone and close your door for privacy, unless your health, safety, or well-being is at risk.
To participate or refuse to engage in activities planned by you, your family, your support team, staff, and other people.
Receive and send mail. Staff will not look at your mail if you do not want them to.
Marital privacy at your home for visits with your spouse or domestic partner.
Choose your friends,
Personal privacy. If you need assistance with personal care, our staff will help you and they will do everything they can to respect your right to privacy.
Engage in activities that you choose.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
It is your responsibility to:
Treat other participants and MSS staff in a respectful manner
Be as active as possible in planning and creating your support plan
Observe all rules and safety practices at MSS
Keep all appointments scheduled with MSS or notify MSS as soon as possible if you need to change an appointment
Approach all tasks and testing with a “willingness to try” attitude and to provide the staff with honest feedback
Bring problems that are affecting you to the attention of the staff
Use the Grievance and Appeal Procedures appropriately and in the steps outlined
Respect the privacy of other participants
Help with your medical matters
Keep MSS informed if your medical status changes or if you change the type, dosage, or schedule of any medication even if you do not take this medication at MSS
Alert a staff person if you have concerns about any suspected maltreatment of yourself or another participant
If you feel that someone has violated your rights, we will investigate your complaint and will talk you about what we found out during our investigation. We will work with YOU to answer your questions and solve any problem we found to make sure that your rights have been respected.
**Please refer to the DTH Participant Handbook for a more thorough list of your rights**
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
All staff members of MSS are expected to maintain a relationship free from conflict of interest that may negatively impact the services you receive.
MSS employees must disclose to their supervisor the following information:
When they work with you at home and at work
If they are socializing with you during non-work hours
If they serve as your guardian or other type of legal representative while employed at MSS
If they are related to you
VULNERABLE ADULT ACT
If you feel you have been treated unfairly or poorly tell any member of MSS’ staff and they will assist you in making a formal report when needed. If you speak with someone at MSS your conversation will be kept confidential. You may contact the Common Entry Point for your county without anyone else’s knowledge.
Ramsey County:651-266-4012 (Day)
651-291-6795 (Evening)
Hennepin County:612-348-8526
Dakota County651-554-6000 (Day)
952-891-7171 (Evening)
Anoka County:763-422-7070
Washington County:651-430-6484
You will need to give as much information as possible. Again, the information will be kept confidential.
SUSPENSION
MSS has the right to suspend you from the program if you display behaviors that are not safe for you or others, or if there is a communication problem/breakdown with your support team. If you get suspended, MSS will tell you and your team and will give you a copy of our Service Suspension and Discharge Procedure. MSS will help you take the necessary steps so you can come back to the program.
DISCHARGE
Voluntary Discharge
You can leave MSS services at any time. We ask that you give us a 30 day notice so we can help you transition into your new program.
Involuntary Discharge
MSS may choose to discharge you from your program for a variety of reasons such as funding issues, behavioral issues, or communication issues with your support team. If MSS is considering this, we will tell you and your team and work with you to resolve the problem. If we are unable to resolve the problem, we will provide you with recommendations for other service providers that may be better able to meet your needs.
Discharge Planning
After you are discharged from MSS, a summary report will be written and we will complete follow-ups at 30, 60, and 90day intervals to see if we can be of any further assistance.
ATTENDANCE
MSS is open Monday through Friday, and most centers provide services from 7:30 AM until 3:30 PM.
Your schedule will be discussed at your Intake Meeting. You will be expected to attend on a regular basis so you can make progress on your goals and participate in activities. If you need to be absent for a vacation, illness, or appointment please let your center know right away.
Please try to schedule your medical and dental appointments for early morning or late afternoon, if possible. It is important that you come to work for the remainder of the day, even on days you may have an appointment. If you are absent a lot, it may lead to suspension or discharge.
HOLIDAYS
Midwest is closed on the following days:
(Some of these days may change, depending on the calendar, but you will be given a schedule at the beginning of each year informing you of the days MSS is closed)
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
& the day after
Christmas Eve
& Christmas Day
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Personal Belongings
Please bring a clean change of clothing and personal hygiene products (briefs, etc.) to MSS every day and label everything with your name.
Meals
You need to bring your own lunch to MSS every day prepared especially for you (chopped, pureed, etc.). Staff can help if you need assistance eating. All MSS sites have refrigerators and microwaves.
Worker Representative Committee
This committee is made up of people from each MSS center, and is a chance to share ideas and information, and improve communication between workers and management. Someone from the Executive Team may attend as well as staff from your center.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION (cont.)
Civil Rights
If you feel you have been discriminated against because of your race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, marital status, sexual preference, membership or activity in a human rights commission or status in regard to public assistance you can file a complaint to:
Department of Human Rights
190 E. 5th St, suite 700
St. Paul, MN 55101
-or -
Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC 20201
Specific information about getting data, contest accuracy and completeness of data, etc. is available upon request.
Harassment
If someone says or does something to you that you do not like, talk to an MSS staff person. We want MSS to be a comfortable place for you and everyone else.
Conflict Resolution
If you are having problems with your co-workers or a staff member, please talk to your DC about it. If your DC is not able to help you, talk to the Program Supervisor or Program Director. From there, if necessary, talk to MSS President Lyth Hartz at 651-778-1000.
DRESS CODE
Wear clothing that is clean and fits you properly
Do not wear clothing with writing, symbols, cartoons, or anything that might offend, ridicule, or criticize someone else because of their race, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, age, income, etc.
Wear comfortable shoes with non-slip soles. Sandals are ok in summer as long as they stay on your feet and have non-slip soles. PLEASE NO FLIP-FLOPS!
Dress appropriately for the weather.