DSL MEMO SERIES 2001-17
Replaces DSL Memo Series 99-04
August 22, 2001
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living
To:
AODA Coordinators
DD Coordinators
Directors of County Departments of Social Services
Directors of County Human Services Departments
Directors of County Department of Community Programs
COP Lead Agency Directors
County COP Contacts
CSP Coordinators
ILC Directors
LTS Coordinators
LTS Planning Committee Chairs
Mental Health Coordinators
From:
Sinikka McCabe, Administrator
Division of Supportive Living
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DOCUMENT SUMMARY
This memo provides suggestions for contingency planning for those
program consumers who may need assistance in the event of an emergency.
The memo provides examples of the types of situations that might be
planned for during the consumer's annual service plan review. |
Re: Contingency Planning For Program Consumer
The Division of Supportive Living strongly encourages all case or care
managers for community long term support or community support programs to
systematically plan for emergencies with individual program participants. Local
power outages, severe storms, floods, ice or extreme heat/cold can occur, posing
a serious threat to vulnerable persons living alone or with fragile caregivers.
It is prudent to develop contingency plans for possible scattered power outages
or data system failures at any time.
For vulnerable individuals participating in your programs, we recommend an
assessment of risks they may face in a local emergency. Plans should then be
developed to prevent or respond to any assessed risk. These issues can be
appropriately considered during annual or other regular reviews, monitoring or
reassessments normally conducted by case managers. The plans, developed in
collaboration with individuals and their families, should be recorded as part of
the care plans. The following are some issues to consider:
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Living Arrangements: Is the individual in an environment that
will pose a significant hazard if there is a power outage, extreme heat,
loss of heat, telephone services, or interruption to the water supply. For
example, does the person live alone or with a frail caregiver that makes it
unlikely that the individual could take the necessary steps to get
assistance or relocate to a safe and warm place? Care plans should indicate
who can provide assistance (family, neighbor, service organization) and how
they would be in contact with the individual if utilities were out of
service in a local area.
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Vital Supplies: Would required prepared meals, food supplies,
medication or medical supplies be available if normal business activity were
interrupted in the community for a few days? Does the person have copies of
prescriptions or labeled containers in case clinic or pharmacy computer
records are not accessible?
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Emergency Government: Long term support program managers should
discuss with local emergency government officials contingency plans for
vulnerable and homebound individuals.
Of particular concern are plans for evacuation of individuals from their
homes in the event of an emergency.
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Local Technical Assistance Resources: The aging network has
been active in recent years in providing technical assistance and
coordination with emergency government. Disaster planning materials (funded
by the federal government) are available through the county aging units or
area agencies on aging. Of particular value are the checklists developed for
emergency workers, including reminders of vital materials (e.g., dentures,
medications, eyeglasses, insurance cards) that should accompany a frail
older person who is being evacuated to a safe shelter or another residence.
Colleagues in other long term support and disability services agencies could
benefit from collaboration with the aging network in planning for any
potential emergencies.
The Division of Supportive Living recently updated a handbook titled,
"After the Disaster: The Role of Human Services in Response and
Recovery." The handbook has been mailed to the Administrators of County
Human Services. The handbook is intended to serve as a resource for local
human service agencies and their contractors as they plan for responding to
the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, older people and the
general population in the counties they serve.
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Management Planning: Agencies should have contingency plans in
place to identify which staff will be contacted for what purpose. Plans for
replacing vital service providers in the event of an emergency are
important. Consideration should be given to the inclusion in provider
contracts of expectations for provider capability in an emergency.
Technical assistance can be provided by the Bureau of Quality Assurance or
the relevant program bureaus in DSL to assist you in contingency planning with
individual program participants.
Regional Office Contact::
Area Administrators
Central Office Contact::
Rita Prigioni
Director of Administrative Program Support
Division of Supportive Living
(608) 266-8472
E-mail: PrigiRE@wisconsin.gov
cc
Bureau/Office Directors
DSL Section Chiefs
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
Area Agencies on Aging
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