Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) Project
Results of CSNI Supports
Intensity Scale Interview Survey through June 2011
Through the collaborative
effort of the Bureau of Developmental Services and the Community Support
Network, Inc., New Hampshire began implementing the Supports Intensity Scale
Assessment (SIS) in 2010. The SIS measures the intensity of an individual’s
support needs and was developed by the American Association on Intellectual
and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). In NH we have 4 Nationally
Certified Interviewers / Trainers and 7 Nationally or State Certified
Interviewers. It is our commitment to assure that NH SIS Interviewers
maintain the high standards set by the AAIDD for Inter Rater Reliability and
Quality Improvement. Since we began administering this assessment we have
completed over 800 interviews. Interviews typically involve 2 to 5
respondents.
One step in our quality
improvement process is the SIS Respondent Survey. The SIS Interviewers
encourage respondents to complete a satisfaction survey at the end of the
interview. Respondents can choose to complete a paper survey or an on line
version. Questions are presented in a yes / no format and allow for
comments. We recently tallied the results of the 348 surveys received and
wish to share the results with individuals, families, guardians, and other
key stakeholders. Here are some highlights:
·
45% felt they got information to help them know what to expect
when they went to the interview
·
91% did not attend an SIS orientation session prior to their
interview
·
93% answered that the interview started on time
·
94.5% felt the interviews questions were clear
·
96.9% felt the interviewer covered the areas that are
important to the individual being served
·
98% felt the interviewer explained the purpose of the
interview
·
99.4% felt they had enough time to answer all the interview
questions
·
99.7% felt the interviewer treated them with respect
We greatly appreciate the
effort of respondents to complete the survey and want to assure them that we
take respondent feedback seriously.
We would like to acknowledge
the dedication and professionalism of the New Hampshire Interviewers and
thank them for their commitment. All Interviewers continue to participate in
ongoing quality improvement through regular Inter Rater Reliability testing
and monthly peer group trainings.
The Community Support
Network, Bureau of Developmental Services, and the SIS Interviewer/Trainers
will be developing strategies to strengthen and improve our process. In the
coming months we will be looking at ways to get information out to
individuals, families, and staff so that they have a better understanding of
the SIS assessment and process.
The Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) was
developed over a five year period under the auspices of the American
Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (formerly AAMR).
It is a nationally recognized, standardized tool for individuals ages 16-72
with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The SIS measures supports
a person needs to successfully participate in 57 specific activities by
rating:
Type of support (monitoring to full physical assistance)
How frequently the support is needed (none to hourly)
·
Daily support time (no time to more than 4 hours per day)
The SIS also measures support needed for
29 exceptional medical and behavioral areas. It is completed in an interview
with a trained SIS interviewer, the individual in need of services and 2 – 5
other people who know the individual well. Respondent teams should include
the individual being assessed, as appropriate, and a minimum of 2 other
people who have known the individual for at least 3 months and have had
recent opportunities to observe the person for at least several hours at a
time. Respondents can be a parent, guardian, relative, direct support staff,
teacher, work supervisor or anyone who lives or works with the person being
evaluated and understands their specific support needs. Interviews usually
take an average of 3 hours to complete.
After an intensive training program
conducted by trainers from AAIDD, NH currently has 11 SIS interviewers, four
of whom have been certified to be state trainers!
In January 2010, CSNI and the NH Bureau
of Developmental Services (BDS) began using the SIS to assess service needs
for a random sample of 400 individuals already receiving funded services.
The random sample was completed in December 2010 and the data from this
group will be compiled and evaluated by a 3rd party organization
to develop funding bands. BDS will utilize the funding bands in conjunction
with the SIS results and other records/ information to determine funding for
each individual. The SIS will eventually be completed with every individual
in NH receiving funded services every 5 years as a tool for service planning
and budget determination.
Each area agency is responsible for
scheduling the SIS interviews. Individuals and their response teams will be
contacted to arrange a time and location for their interview.
