Library: Policy
340:75-8-40. Accessing Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) for a child with an intellectual disability
Revised 9-15-16
An array of services, support options, and placement settings, designed to meet individual needs exist for a child in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) custody who has an intellectual disability.Per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:75-8-36, the child may live with a family or in another community-based setting while receiving DDS services.
(1) The child's child welfare (CW) specialist pursues appropriate placement resources for a child in DHS custody consistent with OAC 340:75‑6‑40.
(2) Home and Community Based Services, arranged by DDS staff, may be available to meet the child's identified needs and may be provided in most placement settings.
(3) Early identification, expedient application, and joint planning between CW and DDS staff, facilitate appropriate referrals and service plan development for a child with a developmental disability.
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-8-40
Revised 9-14-24
1. Grand staffing. When a child's needs can no longer be met in less restrictive forms of care, such as own home, relative home, adoptive home, or any type of foster family care, the child is assessed and referred for grand staffing. The grand staffing process is a monthly meeting conducted by Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) and Child Welfare Services (CWS) to review, assess, and determine service and placement needs for children who present significant challenges that prevent services in a family setting.
(1) The DDS case manager or the child welfare specialist makes a referral for grand staffing.
(2) Children staffed in grand staffing:
(A) require:
(i) 24-hour supervision by trained staff;
(ii) professional crisis management; and
(iii) intensive support services to establish and maintain life in a community‑based setting; and
(B) have ongoing severe and persistent emotional and behavioral disturbances.
(3) Children in emergency shelter settings are grand staffed when DDS area staff or CWS staff are unable to identify appropriate placement or service resources.
(4) Referrals to provider agencies for residential service options are initiated through grand staffing.
(5) The DDS programs manager or designee for Residential Services authorizes all pre-placement visits and all placements of children in OKDHS custody with any DDS contracted provider.
2. Grand staffing results. Following the grand staffing, the DDS programs manager or designee and CWS programs manager or designee notify respective staff of the outcome or action needed and request any additional information.
3. Pre-placement visits to DDS placements. Pre-placement visits by children in Oklahoma Human Services custody to DDS placements do not occur prior to the approval of the DDS area manager.
