Following Up on SOS Recommendations Made to DHS Aging and People with Disabilities Program

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SALEM, OR — Today, Secretary of State Dennis Richardson released a report showing the Department of Human Services (DHS), Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) program has made progress implementing the recommendations made in Audit Report 2017-23, “Consumer-Employer Provider Program Needs Immediate Action to Ensure Home Care Consumers Receive Required Care and Services.”

In the original audit released in 2017, auditors issued 11 recommendations. At that time, DHS agreed with the first 10 recommendations and partially agreed with the final recommendation. Implementation of these recommendations would help ensure consumers receive the services they need, address case manager’s excessive workloads and responsibilities, and provide more support to consumers and homecare workers.

According to today’s follow-up report, the agency has fully implemented four of the recommendations and made some progress toward implemented the remaining seven, including:

  • Adopting homecare worker training requirements and assessments;

  • Creating a risk-based monitoring tracking system; and

  • Reassigning financial eligibility determinations to reduce case manager workload.

However, significant work is needed to fully implement the remaining recommendations. Two require changes to Oregon Administrative Rules, which the agency is in the process of preparing. Other recommendations are affected by DHS and the Oregon Health Authority’s timeline for implementing the integrated eligibility information system for public assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

“We are encouraged by the progress the Aging and People with Disabilities program has made to implement the audit’s recommendations,” said Secretary of State Dennis Richardson. “But there is still more work to be done to ensure aging adults and people with disabilities are safely receiving the care they need.”

Read the full report on the Secretary of State website

Press release provided from the office of Oregon Secretary of State, Dennis Richardson.

Dennis Richardson, Oregon Secretary of State.

Dennis Richardson, Oregon Secretary of State.