D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-7499
The terms in this Chapter shall have the definitions set forth in Section 2 of the Act.
In addition, the following terms in this Chapter shall have the meaning ascribed:
Act - the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005, effective October 22, 2005 (D.C. Law 16-35; D.C. Official Code §§ 4-751.01, et seq.), as amended.
Assessment - a clinical evaluation performed by a qualified group or individual of the consumer's physical, mental, behavioral, social, and emotional health. It considers the consumer's s perception of self and ability to function socially at home and in the community, and relevant historical data as it impacts the quality of the consumer's life.
Case management - a set of services and interventions focused on assisting HSS individuals to obtain and retain permanent housing, move toward the greatest degree of self-sufficiency, and are based on the consumer's goals and preferences outlined in their ISP. These services include coordination of and assisting consumers to access financial assistance, tenancy support, social services, health care services, and other resources available in the community.
Case note - a chronological record of the delivery of services and support to head of households and their dependent and/or minor children. Case notes also provide the necessary documentation to support claims to funding sources, and provide a single place for case managers, social workers, supervisors and colleagues, state and federal auditors and others with appropriate access to read about recent case activity.
Certification - the written authorization from the Department rendering an entity eligible to provide HSS.
Certification standards - the minimum requirements established by the Department in this Chapter that a provider shall satisfy to obtain and maintain certification to provide HSS and receive reimbursement from the District for HSS.
Collateral contact - an individual involved in the individual's care. This individual may be a family member, guardian, healthcare professional or person (e.g., landlord/property manager, lawyer) who is a knowledgeable source of information about the individual's situation and serves to support or corroborate information provided by the individual. The individual contributes a direct and an exclusive benefit for the individual.
Consumer - an individual client as defined in Section 2(7) of the Act.
Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement (CAHP) System - the District's "centralized or coordinated assessment system" as defined in Section 2(6A) of the Act, also referred to as coordinated entry or coordinated intake, and further defined in publicly available CAHP governance guidance.
Data Assessment Plan (DAP) - a standard used to define a comprehensive case note in the Department's web-based case note system. The term 'Data' is defined as the subjective and objective information about the individual's goals and progress made toward them. The term 'Assessment' is defined as a written note completed by the individual's case manager that describes the case manager's observations about the individual's interactions with family members, the individual's motivation to move toward their goals and the tone, and affect and demeanor of the individual, along with how the individual is maintaining their housing unit. The term 'Plan' is defined as the measurable objectives the individual will be working on until the next visit. The Plan also notes when the next engagement with the individual is scheduled.
Department - the District of Columbia Department of Human Services or any successor organizational unit (in whole or in part).
Department of Health Care Finance - the District of Columbia state Medicaid agency.
Director - the Director of the Department.
Disability - as defined at 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i).
Disabling condition - an injury, substance use disorder, mental health condition, or illness, as diagnosed by a qualified health professional, that is expected to cause an extended or long-term incapacitation but does not meet the definition of disability in, as defined at 42 U.S.C. §§ 416(i).
Governing authority - the designated individuals or body legally responsible for conducting the affairs of the HSS provider.
Grievance - a description by any individual of his or her dissatisfaction with an HSS provider, including the denial or abuse of any consumer right or protection provided by applicable Federal and District laws and regulations.
Homeless Management Information System - the District's information technology system used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and persons at risk of homelessness.
Homeless Outreach Provider Team - an organization contracted by the Department to engage individuals who are living on the streets and are experiencing homelessness. Outreach efforts connect vulnerable individuals to housing resources within the Coordinated Entry System
Household - a home dwelling and its occupants.
Housing navigation - using a Housing First approach, Housing Navigation assistance offered by the provider is designed to identify and secure housing for consumers as quickly as possible, by implementing activities such as: active recruitment and retaining of landlords and housing managers willing to rent to consumers (who may otherwise fail to pass typical tenant screening criteria); housing unit search and identification; helping consumers gather documents needed for housing placement; completing the housing and subsidy application process; and moving and securing basic housing needs. The Housing Navigation assistance offered by the PSHP provider to all consumers, needs to be consistent with the consumer's needs and preferences (within the limits of their income combined with available subsidy), taking into consideration safety and access to transportation, connection to health care, treatment, school, daycare and support systems, and employment opportunities.
Housing stabilizations - services and actions designed to help households at risk of becoming homeless to keep housing.
Housing Supportive Services - housing-related activities and services that support a person's ability to prepare for and transition to housing, and services that support a person in continuing successful tenancy in their housing unit.
Housing unit - a single room occupancy room/facility, individual apartment, townhome, or single-family home utilized to house consumers in HSS. Housing units for families have separate cooking facilities and other basic necessities to enable families to prepare and consume meals; bathroom facilities for the use of the family; and separate sleeping quarters for adults and minor children in accordance with the occupancy standards of Title 14 of the DCMR. Housing units can be project-based or tenant-based.
HSS Provider - the individual, organization, or corporation, public or private, that provides HSS services, meets the qualifications set forth in this Chapter and seeks reimbursement for providing those services under the Medicaid program. An HSS provider is a provider as defined under Section 2(30) of the Act and an HSS agency as defined at 29 DCMR 10399.
Human Care Agreement - a written agreement for the procurement of education or special education, health, human, or social services pursuant to D.C. Official Code §§ 2-354.06, to be provided directly to persons who are disabled, disadvantaged, displaced, elderly, indigent, mentally or physically ill, unemployed, or minors in the custody of the District of Columbia.
Individual - a person eligible to receive HSS as set forth in this Chapter.
Individual Service Plan - a written agreement between the individual and the HSS provider describing the results of the person-centered planning process addressing the strengths, preferences, needs and dreams as described by the person. The plan consists of time-specific goals and objectives designed to promote self-sufficiency and attainment of permanent housing. These goals and objectives are based on the consumer's assessed needs, desires, strengths, resources, and limitations.
Key personnel - the essential staff required to implement and execute the scope of work in the HSS provider's Human Care Agreement.
Linkage - when a provider connects or joins a consumer with a needed service or support. This could include, but is not limited to, communicating on behalf of the consumer to the service, providing the consumer contact information or completing needed applications or paperwork. The provider must first ensure the service or support is current and viable.
Medicaid - the medical assistance program approved by federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and administered by DHCF, which enables the District to receive federal financial assistance for its medical assistance program and other purposes as permitted by law.
Organizational onboarding - the mechanism through which new employees acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviors to become effective performers. It begins with recruitment and includes a series of events, one of which is employee orientation, which helps new employees understand performance expectations and contribute to the success of the organization.
Outreach and engagement - describes the processes used to find/locate a consumer, establish contact with them (outreach) and build a long-lasting, trusting connection with the individual services provider (engagement). Outreach and engagement practices are targeted, proactive, and clientcentered, with particular attention given to finding and engaging with persons in crisis, who may be initially reluctant to accept assistance.
Quality control - an HSS provider's internal system for monitoring and improving delivery of services and internal operations.
Self-sufficiency - the ability to provide for one's own social and economic needs with little to no assistance from others.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - formerly known as the Food Stamp program, SNAP provides food-purchasing assistance to District residents with low- or no-income.
Supportive Services - an array of medical, behavioral health, substance use, educational, social services, employment, life skills, and financial services aimed at enabling housing placement, housing stability, health, wellness, community integration, self-sufficiency, and the improved quality of life of an individual.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-7499